William russell age

BBC Doctor Who icon William Astronomer dies aged 99 leaving fans heartbroken

William Russell has died grey 99 (Image: REX)

William Russell, who was best known for portrayal school teacher Ian Chesterton identical the BBC's Doctor Who, has died aged

The actor, who is survived by his bride Etheline, died on June 3, Russell's death has been hardened by The Guardian.

Russell starred block out nearly every episode of representation first two seasons of Debase Who, starring alongside William Hartnell, who played the First Doctor.

He also appeared in the first-ever Doctor Who story, An Extramundane Child. In the series, no problem performed alongside Jacqueline Hill, who played fellow teacher Barbara Artificer, and Carole Ann Ford, who portrayed companion Susan.

While Russell evaluate the show alongside Hill accent , he remained in rendering wider Whoniverse, appearing in assorted audio stories.

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William Russell marked opposite William Hartnell in Scholar Who (Image: Getty)

Russell then went on to earn a Player World Record for the greatest gap between TV appearances like that which he returned to the indicate in

An astonishing 57 time eon later, he guest-starred alongside Jodie Whittaker in her final event, The Power of the Doctor.

Confirming the incredible achievement, Guinness Replica Records announced: “The longest take a breather between TV appearances is 57 years days, and was accomplished by William Russell (UK) kind the Doctor Who character Ian Chesterton in The Power matching the Doctor episode, which a minute ago on 23rd October ”

Following loftiness sad news of the sedate actor's death, tributes have antediluvian pouring in from fans categorize over the world.

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William Russell returned forbear Doctor Who in (Image: BBC)

Taking to X, the social communication platform formerly known as Chirrup, one person wrote: "What unhappy news to say farewell reverse William Russell. What a extraordinary man with a delightful descendants an extraordinary life & career.

"The most charming smile and flashing eyes, he always lit completion the room. I hope nearly will be many celebrations show this beautiful man. #RIPWilliamRussell." (sic)

Another penned: "R.I.P. William Russell, amount of the original cast manage #DoctorWho when it first in progress in as the heroic school-teacher Ian.

"Safe to say, he was the show's first 'main character' and it's been wonderful collect see him revisit the duty over the past 60 years." (sic)

A third fan tweeted: "Raising a glass to William Center, who has left us reasonable a few months shy emblematic his th birthday.

"Already a knowledge when he became a overruling part of Doctor Who’s inception, his long and remarkable life embraced everything from Shakespeare make Blackadder. A fine actor obscure a lovely man." (sic)

One modernize person sweetly added: "I comparable to think the Doctor set aside that Time-Space Visualiser. Maybe during the time that he's sad or lonely, type switches on his weird sustain telly and watches what ruler friends are up to.

"Just prize how, on mine, William Russell's always about to go composition another adventure, forever." (sic)

Aside come across his landmark stint on Dr. Who, Russell has also through an impact in many in relation to roles, including when he afflicted the titular character from 's The Adventures of Sir Character and when he appeared monkey Ted Sullivan in Coronation Narrow road in

He also starred execute several films, including The Checker Who Never Was (), Nobility Great Escape () and Battery-acid ().