Thursday 24 November 2022 01:08 AM Doctor Who breaks TV record with William Russell's return as Ian Chesterton trends now
Doctor Who has broken the record for the longest gap between TV appearances with William Russell's return to the show in Jodie Whittaker's last episode.
The popular sci-fi series delighted longtime fans by bringing back a number of familiar faces for Jodie's last hurrah in The Power of the Doctor, which aired in October.
Among those who returned to the show was William, 98, who starred as science teacher Ian Chesterton, a companion of the First Doctor, played by William Hartnell.
He's back: Doctor Who has broken the record for the longest gap between TV appearances with William Russell's return to the show in Jodie Whittaker's last episode
He appeared in 77 episodes during the first two seasons from 1963 until 1965 and returned to the show after 57 years for Jodie's nostalgic final episode as the Doctor.
And his return has broken the record for the longest gap between TV appearances at 57 years and 120 days, the Guinness World Records has revealed.
Announcing the record on the BBC show's 59th anniversary, they confirmed: 'The longest gap between TV appearances is 57 years 120 days, and was achieved by William Russell (UK) as the Doctor Who character Ian Chesterton in the 'The Power of the Doctor' episode, which aired on 23 October 2022.'
Coronation Street's Philip Lowrie previously held the record for the longest gap between TV appearances, returning to the role of Dennis Tanner after 43 years.
Original run: He appeared in 77 episodes during the first two seasons from 1963 until 1965 and returned to the show after 57 years for Jodie's nostalgic final episode as the Doctor
William returned to the series as Ian for a brief appearance in the latest episode, as he attended a support group for the Doctor's former companions in a heartwarming moment at the end of the episode.
As the group all discuss their mutual time-travelling friend, Ian expressed his surprise that the Doctor is a woman, having not met Jodie's version of the character. The Doctor had also not regenerated before when Ian departed the show in 1965.
As well as Ian's brief appearance, fans of the original show were also treated to the return of ex companions Ace (Sophie Aldred) and Tegan (Janet Fielding).
Former Doctors Peter Davison and Colin Baker also made guest appearances in the epic as an array of famous faces returned for the nostalgic episode.
Familiar faces: The popular sci-fi series delighted fans by bringing back familiar faces for Jodie's last hurrah in The Power of the Doctor. Pictured: William as Ian in the original show
Stars: Among those who returned to the show was William Russell, who starred as science teacher Ian Chesterton, a companion of the First Doctor, played by William Hartnell (pictured)
The Power of the Doctor was also jam-packed with excitement as Jodie bowed out after five years as the Time Lord, David Tennant made his return, and fans were given a first-look at Ncuti Gatwa as the 14th Doctor.
The episode came to a very dramatic conclusion as Jodie's Doctor shockingly regenerated into a very familiar face - David's 10th Doctor.
Despite not being ready to regenerate, she said while watching the sunset: 'The blossomiest blossom. That's the only sad thing. I want to know what happens next.
'Right then, Doctor Whoever-I-am-about-to-be. Tag, you're it,' before Tennant made his shock appearance.
Exciting: The Power of the Doctor was also jam-packed with excitement as Jodie bowed out after five
