'THE FIVE DOCTORS' AT 40: 'WHO's THE DUMMY! THE CAST PRESS-LAUNCH

Classic Doctors and companions gather in celebration.

Twentieth Anniversaries for television shows don't come along very often, especially ones within of the science fiction genre, so The Five Doctors was going to be celebrated in style, and with as much press attention and media coverage as possible, as demonstrated with this very special photocall of past and present Doctors and iconic companions for the tale, covered by all the enthused UK press, that took place on Thursday 17th March, 1983, of which filming of the special was already underway at a disused MOD building in Upper Denham, Buckinghamshire.

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The Doctor's classic car Bessie comes out of mothballs for the unique press event.

It was well known by this time that Tom Baker was not going to appear in the special, sadly, after having only just recently left the part and wanting to continue his acting career, but he was at least represented by his Madame Tussaud's wax work figure, alongside with news that clips of the Fourth Doctor from the never completed story Shada would be exclusively used in his absence for the anniversary story. A rival to Baker in many ways, Jon Pertwee, with the mischievous Patrick Troughton, would enjoyed manipulating the wax work to their own humorous ends, to the delight of the press and their camera men.

Getting a fine showcase here would be Richard Hurndall, portraying the First Doctor, after having impressed producer John Nathan-Turner with a fine performance in the fourth and finals season of Blake's 7, in the episode Assassin, which was also seen by the series fan consultant Ian Levine, who also egged the then producer into casting Hurndall, and whom, as First Doctor era onscreen companion and granddaughter Susan, actress Carole Ann Ford was quickly impressed by the actor and his recapturing of the William Hartnell aura with their opening scene filmed on location in Wales.

Loaned out for the day from Madame Tussauds, the Fourth Doctor waxwork fills in for Tom Baker at the photo call.

Patrick Troughton and Jon Pertwee decide to have some fun with the waxwork.

The Baker waxwork once more being molested by his comrades, of which his era co-star Elisabeth Sladen wasn't too happy at seeing happen back in the day.

Elisabeth Sladen (already filming scenes that day) and Carole Ann Ford (specially attending the photo shoot) happily pose together with Bessie, though neither were happy with the costumes designed for them with this story.

The Doctors joined by their iconic companion co-stars Nicholas Courtney, Elisabeth Sladen and Carole Ann Ford. 

K-9 joins the fun with the Doctors, as his cameo appearance in the special is confirmed.

A proud John Nathan-Turner joins the cast for a special image.