Doctor Who has officially broken a Guinness World Record with the return of William Russell.
Russell's debut was in the first ever episode of Doctor Who, 'An Unearthly Child', which was originally broadcast on BBC One on the 23rd November 1963, playing school teacher and companion Ian Chesterton.
However, in the latest episode 'The Power of the Doctor', fans had the pleasure of seeing the character once again as Russell - aged 98 - featured in a scene towards the end of the story.
Russell's debut was in the first ever episode of Doctor Who, 'An Unearthly Child', which was originally broadcast on BBC One on the 23rd November 1963, playing school teacher and companion Ian Chesterton.
However, in the latest episode 'The Power of the Doctor', fans had the pleasure of seeing the character once again as Russell - aged 98 - featured in a scene towards the end of the story.
Guinness World Records have confirmed the news, stating: “The longest gap between TV appearances is 57 years 120 days, and was achieved by William Russell (UK) as the Doctor Who character Ian Chesterton in The Power of the Doctor episode, which aired on 23rd October 2022.”
A spokesperson for the BBC has said: “We’re delighted William Russell, along with other familiar faces, appeared in The Power of the Doctor. It’s testament to the show’s loyal viewers and fanbase that a character can return so many years later and receive such a positive reaction.’
Doctor Who currently also holds the world record for the most consecutive sci-fi TV episodes ever, with 871 episodes and counting.
The world record for longest gap between TV appearances in the same show was previously held by Philip Lowrie, who returned to his role as Dennis Tanner in Coronation Street after 43 years.
You can watch a clip from the very first episode of Doctor Who, which features William Russell as Ian Chesterton below.
A spokesperson for the BBC has said: “We’re delighted William Russell, along with other familiar faces, appeared in The Power of the Doctor. It’s testament to the show’s loyal viewers and fanbase that a character can return so many years later and receive such a positive reaction.’
Doctor Who currently also holds the world record for the most consecutive sci-fi TV episodes ever, with 871 episodes and counting.
The world record for longest gap between TV appearances in the same show was previously held by Philip Lowrie, who returned to his role as Dennis Tanner in Coronation Street after 43 years.
You can watch a clip from the very first episode of Doctor Who, which features William Russell as Ian Chesterton below.
Visit the Guinness World Record website to learn more about this achievement at guinnessworldrecords.com
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