“Can we take a photo of me with the Dalek?” Anneke Wills asks me, beaming with d

“Can we take a photo of me with the Dalek?” Anneke Wills asks me, beaming with delight.

I agree wholeheartedly with the suggestion, and the Dalek is more than happy to pose alongside his former adversary. It’s nice to see that they’ve since become firm friends, and indeed seemed quite happy to be reunited. It was a genuinely touching scene to witness.

It’s been a few years since the lovely Anneke first crossed paths with the Daleks as the playful and confident companion Polly. She was also part of the TARDIS team to witness the very first regeneration - from William Hartnell’s Doctor to Patrick Troughton - and she speaks of both actors with such great warmth and affection. Indeed, she’s also reprised the role of Polly for Big Finish, as well as reading audiobooks of her adventures for AudioGO. She’s also recently recorded the audio edition of Who’s There? - The Life And Career Of William Hartnell, a biography lovingly written by Hartnell’s granddaughter, Jessica Carney. Anneke also makes an appearance in An Adventure In Space And Time, the recent (stunningly beautiful and moving) biopic chronicling the early years of Doctor Who. You can learn more about all of the interesting thing she’s done and doing in greater detail at her website. To say that these are exciting times for fans of 60s Who, and the people instrumental in helping to create it, would be an understatement. I’m sure dear Anneke would agree.

(As would the Dalek. Though don’t ask him the last time he saw Power Of The Daleks. He’s still hoping it’ll turn up, but preferably with a nice alternate ending where the Daleks win and live happily ever after.)