VALE JOHN LEESON: THE VOICE OF DOCTOR WHO'S BELOVED ROBOT DOG K9 DIES AT 83
Doctor Who fans around the world are mourning John Leeson, the actor who gave the Doctor's loyal robot dog K9 his unforgettable voice.
John Leeson died on Sunday 1 November at the age of 83, his family announced.
His son, Guy Ducker, shared the news on Facebook, explaining that his father had passed away in the afternoon after a summer of illness.
He wrote that "the end was peaceful", and signed off with a line from Hamlet: "Good night, sweet prince."
The news was reported by The Independent via Yahoo News Australia, The Guardian and GB News.
How John Leeson Gave K9 His Voice
John Leeson was born John Francis Christopher Ducker in Leicester, England, on 16 March 1943, and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
He first voiced K9 in 1977, in the serial The Invisible Enemy, opposite Tom Baker's Fourth Doctor.
The metal dog, with his wagging antenna ears and endless supply of facts, quickly became a favourite with children and grown-ups alike.
Leeson once explained that he deliberately made the voice sound as mechanical as possible.
The result was a little bit pompous, a little bit cheeky and completely lovable.
He voiced K9 through the late 1970s, stepped away for a season, and then returned in 1980.
A Comeback For A New Generation
When Russell T Davies revived Doctor Who, he brought K9 back, and there was only ever one person for the job.
Leeson returned in the 2006 episode School Reunion and again in Journey's End in 2008.
He also voiced K9 in the spin-offs K-9 and Company, The Sarah Jane Adventures and the series K9.
Australian fans have a special link to that last show, which premiered on Network Ten in April 2010, before it screened in the UK.
Leeson kept the character alive in audio dramas for Big Finish and even in the 2015 video game LEGO Dimensions.
Much More Than A Robot Dog
While K9 made him famous, Leeson's career was wonderfully varied.
He was the original Bungle the bear in the British children's show Rainbow in the early 1970s.
He also appeared in Dad's Army, Blake's 7, 'Allo 'Allo!, The Bill, Minder and Doctors, among many other shows.
For years he was a familiar voice as a continuity announcer on Channel 4 in the UK.
This year he even reunited with his old Doctor Who co-star Tom Baker for an audio drama, playing Dr John Watson.
Heartfelt Tributes Pour In
Russell T Davies paid tribute on Instagram, describing Leeson as "a true gent, and a great loss".
He said that when K9 returned in 2006, it was impossible to imagine anyone else in the role, and praised the voice as pitched so children could copy it.
Davies also noted that Leeson stayed devoted to K9 for decades, according to Bleeding Cool.
Fans have been sharing their own memories online, from childhood afternoons in front of the telly to meeting him at conventions.
Why K9 Still Matters To So Many Of Us
For many women who grew up in the 1970s and 1980s, K9 was part of the furniture of childhood television.
He was clever, loyal and just a touch bossy, and he always seemed to save the day at the last minute.
Those who introduced their own children to the revived series got to share that same joy all over again.
It is a reminder of how a voice, even one coming from a tin dog, can stay with us for a lifetime.
If you would like to remember him, the K9 episodes are a lovely place to start, especially School Reunion, which bridges the classic and modern eras.
A Life Well Lived
John Leeson married Judy Griffiths in 1969, and she and their son Guy survive him.
Our thoughts are with his family, his friends and the many fans around the world who feel they have lost an old friend.
Good night, K9, and thank you, John Leeson.
