Wherever you are in the world, stand up if you think "Doctor Who" is iconic

Back in 1997 Tony Blair told Britain it needed to be 'modernised'. In speech after speech he talked about how the country needed a dose of what he'd done to his own party. 'Modernisation' was a by word for reform but crucially it didn't actually help anyone to understand what he was going to do. He banked on people wanting to be modern and he was right. But this didn't suit everyone.

The Conservatives by their very nature are more reserved and contemplative. So the voters had a choice - "New" Labour with it's modernising agenda or the same old Tories.

Say something often enough and people will make the connection. Now TV isn't the same as party politics but there's a two word phrase that used to be a by word for Doctor Who. "Wobbly sets". It was trotted out as often as "Behind the Sofa" and whilst I wouldn't say that Doctor Who has never suffered from wobbly sets as a fan I know it didn't happen quite as often as the general public might think. It was damaging for the programme and when the show was recommissioned the stereotype needed to be fought.

The current production team in Cardiff are a canny bunch and to avoid the problems of the past they've taken a few lessons from the political marketeers. Doctor Who is now and always has been "Iconic"! It's the one word that keeps cropping up from September 2003 to the present and I'm sure it'll continue.

It's your duty to tell a non-fan (if you know any) that Doctor Who is iconic. Just to emphasise this (and to help get you in the mood), here are a few of my favourite iconic quotes - I do hope you're all 'on message':


"Doctor Who is a much-loved, truly iconic piece of television history." Mal Young (Head of Continuing Drama, BBC) September 2003.

"I am delighted to be joining the team bringing back such an iconic and exciting series" Phil Collinson (Producer) February 2004.

"We are delighted to have cast an actor of such calibre in one of British television's most iconic roles." Jane Tranter (BBC Bod) on Chris Eccleston March 2004.

"He loved working with Russell on The Second Coming and that relationship was very useful in his agreeing to play such an iconic role." Julie Gardner (The Queen of Who) on Chris Eccleston, March 2004.

"Doctor Who is an iconic show and I am absolutely thrilled to be playing the part of Rose Tyler," Billie Piper May 2004.

“The new production has fantastic storylines and production values and has already gained an iconic status around the world." Candace Carlisle, Senior Vice President, BBC Worldwide Americas. [Date unknown]

"It's such an incredible thrill to step inside the Tardis and to be part of such an iconic show." Freema Agyeman 2006.

"The iconic image of Doctor Who has always been of Tom Baker in his floppy hat and long, multi-coloured scarf, but it looks like that's been replaced." Clayton Hickman, Editor of DWM, on Mr Tennant's remarkable popularity, December 2006.

"Iconic moments which will no doubt recruit the next generation of fans. It's going to be great to see how all this is resolved. The end of this series is fast approaching and The Empty child has just upped the ante. Brilliant." Jonathan Bigger, reviewing The Empty Child, Summer 2005.