Tom Baker, the longest-serving Doctor Who, is swapping his 27-foot scarf for a deerstalker at the age of 92 to play Sherlock Holmes, with former co-star John Leeson - who voiced robotic dog K9 - as Dr Watson.
New Audiobook Dramas
Baker has teamed up with AUK Studios for the Sherlock Holmes dramas, released as audiobooks. As Sir Arthur Conan Doyle died in 1930 and copyright applies for 70 years after an author's death, the studio has commissioned new stories, including Sir Sherlock: Red Letter Day and The Sickle and The Sea.
Speaking to The Mirror from his cottage near Rye, East Sussex, Baker says: "I'm far from being retired. I like being 92 and look forward to being 93. But after that - who knows? I might jump to 96 to confuse people."
Reunited with K9
The nonagenarian has been reliving old times with Leeson, 82, who has been cast as Dr Watson. Baker says: "What a companion! It will be like the old days for us. We have remained friends and still meet up and pass the time of day together. When you think about Dr Who and K9 it is something of a Holmes and Watson relationship. Probably reversed. K9 is the more factual, analytical and methodical one and the Doctor is more prone to random acts."
Playing Sherlock Holmes is third time lucky for Baker, who has played the detective twice before. His 1982 BBC2 version of The Hound of the Baskervilles received negative reviews. He says: "I played Sherlock straight and true. But he is funny. Not a stand up comedian, but witty and wise - like me." He had better luck on stage in The Mask of Moriarty in Dublin in 1985.
Life and Career
Baker grew up in poverty in Liverpool. He once recalled: "When I was a child I longed to die. We were poor. The house was dirty, feet smelled and I was no good at school. What was the point hanging about waiting for things to get better?" Aged nine, he was hospitalised with malnutrition and skin abscesses.
He spent six years as a novice monk before doing National Service, then trained at Rose Bruford drama school in Sidcup. He landed the role of Doctor Who in 1974, staying until 1981, pulling in 16.1 million viewers at its most popular.
Married three times, Baker has two sons with first wife Anna Wheatcroft, married Dr Who sidekick Lalla Ward (divorced 1982), and has been married to Sue Jerrard since 1986. He says: "I'm not one for yearning for the past. There has been melancholy in my life, but I am now much more settled with Sue. We've been married over 40 years. Well, she's put up with me for that long. She indulges me and I do so love being indulged."
MBE and Final Arrangements
Made an MBE in December 2024, Baker had a local investiture at Hole Park in Kent. He says: "Well it was very nice and always nice to be recognised. I had the most splendid day at Hole Park, which isn't a golf course but sounds like one. Dear Louise Jameson [who played Dr Who companion Leela] was there also. It was very agreeable."
Baker has booked his graveyard plot at the 14th century St Nicholas church beside his former home, The Bell House, in Boughton Malherbe, Kent. He says: "I had the gravestone marked Tom Baker 1934 - . I hope someone doesn't chisel it in without telling me. That would be rather rude. I think others can give me an epitaph. I'm still too busy working. Maybe it would be 'give us a kiss Watson!'"
For more information about the audio dramas go to tombakerofficial.com.
