If there’s one programme that TV funny man and former President of the Samuel Johnson Society, Frank Skinner never misses, it’s Doctor Who.
Sharing a whole host of likes, loves and hates with the Radio Times, Frank, who once lobbied producers for a role (any role, including a moon rock) in the show, revealed that he’s been a fan ever since he was yay-high:
It struck me recently that I’ve been watching it for the majority of my life. I distinctly remember tuning in to the first episode when I was six – the oddness of it. Programmes were a lot odder when I was a kid; I think people could get away with it more because there weren’t many other channels to turn to.
But if there is another programme that toils with the good Doctor for a place in the West Bromwich born comedians heart it’s Dragon-a-thon Merlin – which he’ll stoutly defend against accusations that either it or Doctor Who are merely ‘Children’s Television’:
Is Merlin a guilty pleasure? You may claim that Merlin and Doctor Who are children’s television but not I. To me, Merlin seemed to cover all the great themes of humanity. I only got into it this last series and then it was pulled. It was almost like I was the kiss of death.
For more of what charms and appalls the sensibilities of Frank Skinner head over to the Radio Times site.
