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{{Infobox Individual | {{Infobox Individual | ||
|image = Harold Chorley.jpg | |||
|image=Harold Chorley.jpg | |alias = Michael Gibney | ||
|alias= | |species = Human | ||
|species=Human | |origin = [[Monaghan]] | ||
|origin= [[ | |brother = Larry Greene | ||
|first= The Web of Fear | |first cs = The Web of Fear (TV story) | ||
|appearances= | |appearances = {{appears}} | ||
|actor= Jon Rollason | |actor = Jon Rollason | ||
}}'''Harold Chorley''' was | |job = Journalist | ||
}} | |||
'''Harold Chorley''', born '''Michael Gibney''', was an [[Ireland|Irish]] [[television]] and print [[journalist]]. | |||
== Biography == | |||
=== Early life === | |||
He and his brother [[Larry Greene|Lawrence]] grew up in [[Monaghan]] with an abusive father. When Harold ("Harry") was seven, he accidentally killed his dad whilst trying to save Larry's life. He misremembered the incident, believing that Larry had killed their father on purpose. | |||
As adults, both went into journalism - Michael taking the name Harold Chorley - and covered up their familial links, as well as working to give themselves English accents for their career. For years, Chorley would threaten to reveal Larry's childhood manslaughter to get favours from him. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|The Lost Skin (short story)}}) | |||
Chorley was weak, vain, and could be stupid, but by looking and sounding sincere he was able to become a famous television figure. He was also supported by being cunning and lucky. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Doctor Who and the Web of Fear (novelisation)}}) He worked for London Television. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Web of Fear (TV story)}}) | |||
=== Yeti and aftermath === | |||
When the [[British government]] decided to allow only one correspondent into the [[London Underground]] to cover the [[British Army]]'s fight against the [[Great Intelligence]] and its [[robot Yeti]], Larry Greene was selected for the job by the press industry. However, he suggested that they choose Chorley in his place, wanting him to have the opportunity for what would be a huge career move. Chorley was unaware of this ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|The Lost Skin (short story)}}) and believed he'd been lucky to be on the spot during the crisis and had talked an impressionable government official into giving him the job. His colleagues were disgusted he got the job. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Doctor Who and the Web of Fear (novelisation)}}) | |||
At first he was proud to be chosen for this unique assignment and at one point was callous enough to remark favourably about the recordings of [[Holborn tube station]] being overrun. [[Ben Knight|Captain Knight]] grew to view Chorley with contempt, and [[Anne Travers]] chastised Chorley for his tendency to distort the truth for sensationalism. When the journalist realised the danger he was in, he panicked and attempted to flee. His disappearance caused several people, including [[Jamie McCrimmon]], to suspect him of working for the Great Intelligence. During the crisis, he met Colonel [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Web of Fear (TV story)}}) | |||
When he tried to reveal the truth of what happened, the government had him blocked and blacklisted from the [[BBC (in-universe)|BBC]]. Chorley took [[Larry Greene|Larry]]'s career with him. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|The Schizoid Earth (novel)}}, {{cs|Mutually Assured Domination (novel)}}) In his attempts to reveal the truth, he deeply researched Travers' history. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|The Lost Skin (short story)}}) | |||
=== As a freelancer === | |||
In 1969, Chorley was a freelancer who was still struggling to work, found himself mocked by figures like [[Vanessa Redgrave]], and was separated from his wife. | |||
After covering an anti-war protest and saving two [[hippie]]s from [[police]] violence, Chorley was drawn into a conspiracy around [[Dominex Industries]]. He became tied to Lethbridge-Stewart after phoning him to get bailed out of jail, and promised to report what he found at Dominex. The company turned out to be a front for the [[Dominator]]s and after looking into it with Lethbridge-Stewart, Chorley was captured and brainwashed into doing puff pieces for the aliens. The brainwashing failed at a crucial moment and Chorley was able to save Lethbridge-Stewart, but his memories were left a confused jumble. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Mutually Assured Domination (novel)}}) He became increasingly more erratic and a heavier drinker, his career falling apart, and he followed Lethbridge-Stewart in a desperate hope to learn what had happened. The memory damage even affected his knowledge of aliens. | |||
He ended up accidentally falling in with ex-[[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] agent Hannsen's attempts to bring down the [[Nazi]] [[Vilhelm Schädengeist]], who was constructing a bunker under [[Billy Lovac]]'s TV studio. He narrowly escaped being captured by Schädengeist's men during an investigation and tried to bring Lethbridge-Stewart in. The colonel used him as a cover for investigating the studio and when snooping around for a story, Chorley witnessed the brutal murder of a staff writer by Schädengeist (disguised as the actor Aubrey Mondegreene). To keep Chorley quiet, Lethbridge-Stewart convinced the disintegrating Lovac to give Chorley a fake story about what happened and that the murder was just special effects. Chorley, mentally recovered thanks to his tabloid-level scoop, sold the story to the Evening Standard and decided to get his wife back. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|The Showstoppers (novel)}}) | |||
Near the end of that year, Chorley was still trying to expose Lethbridge-Stewart and forcing Larry Greene to assist, even as his obsession continued to retard his career. (Chorley remained bitter and envious of Greene's own recent career successes) Chorley learned Lethbridge-Stewart was working with the army in [[Scotland]] but arrived after the brigadier had already gone on leave abroad. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|The Lost Skin (short story)}}) | |||
In [[February]] [[1970]], Chorley contacted Lethbridge-Stewart and asked for his assistance in investigating the [[Keynsham Triangle]]. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|The Dreamer's Lament (novel)}}) | |||
In late 1970, Chorley was involved in something with [[Vaar]] and [[Sally Wright]]. The event caused the death of Sally. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Fear of the Web (novel)}}, {{cs|The Danger Men (novel)}}) | |||
For years after, he would attempt to reveal the existence of aliens and be stonewalled by [[UNIT]]. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|The Forgotten Son original opening (short story)}}) | |||
=== Later life === | |||
In [[1973]], Chorley was working for tabloids. He wrote articles on gangland killings that glorified in dead mobsters and called for stricter law and order. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Rise of the Dominator (novel)}}) | |||
In [[1974]], he hosted a daytime chat show on the [[BBC (in-universe)|BBC]] called ''[[Chorley's People]]''. His counterpart on the [[Inferno Earth]] also hosted a show of the same name. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Still Lives (short story)}}) | |||
Chorley was once again controlled by Vaar in the [[1980s]]. After Vaar was killed by [[Bill Bishop]] Lethbridge-Stewart promised that they would do more to get Chorley the help he needed than in their previous efforts. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Legacy of the Dominator (novel)}}) | |||
[[William Bishop]] never had much to do with Harold Chorley during the [[1990s]], but knew that Lethbridge-Stewart kept tabs on him. In [[1999]] Bishop encountered him at a convention in [[Torquay]]. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|The Danger Men (novel)}}) | |||
After leaving journalism, he supplemented his [[retirement]] fund by ghost-writing autobiographies. | |||
With only a month left to live, Lethbridge-Stewart summoned Chorley to his nursing home and asked Chorley to help him write his memoirs. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|The Forgotten Son original opening (short story)}}) | |||
He wrote ''[[A Brief History of the Lethbridge-Stewarts]]'', a brief history of the [[Lethbridge-Stewart family]]. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|A Brief History of the Lethbridge-Stewarts (short story)}}) | |||
== Behind the scenes == | |||
=== In non-valid sources === | |||
In [[2017]], he reported on [[Sherlock Holmes]]' attempted murder of Culverton Smith. ([[NOTCOVERED]]: {{cs|The Lying Detective (TV story)}}) | |||
{{NameSort}} | {{NameSort}} | ||
[[Category:Human journalists]] | [[Category:Human journalists]] | ||
[[Category:20th century individuals]] | [[Category:20th century individuals]] | ||
[[Category:21st century individuals]] | [[Category:21st century individuals]] | ||
[[Category:Human writers]] | |||
Latest revision as of 20:40, 21 March 2024
Harold Chorley, born Michael Gibney, was an Irish television and print journalist.
Biography[[edit] | [edit source]]
Early life[[edit] | [edit source]]
He and his brother Lawrence grew up in Monaghan with an abusive father. When Harold ("Harry") was seven, he accidentally killed his dad whilst trying to save Larry's life. He misremembered the incident, believing that Larry had killed their father on purpose.
As adults, both went into journalism - Michael taking the name Harold Chorley - and covered up their familial links, as well as working to give themselves English accents for their career. For years, Chorley would threaten to reveal Larry's childhood manslaughter to get favours from him. (PROSE: The Lost Skin [+]Loading...["The Lost Skin (short story)"])
Chorley was weak, vain, and could be stupid, but by looking and sounding sincere he was able to become a famous television figure. He was also supported by being cunning and lucky. (PROSE: Doctor Who and the Web of Fear [+]Loading...["Doctor Who and the Web of Fear (novelisation)"]) He worked for London Television. (TV: The Web of Fear [+]Loading...["The Web of Fear (TV story)"])
Yeti and aftermath[[edit] | [edit source]]
When the British government decided to allow only one correspondent into the London Underground to cover the British Army's fight against the Great Intelligence and its robot Yeti, Larry Greene was selected for the job by the press industry. However, he suggested that they choose Chorley in his place, wanting him to have the opportunity for what would be a huge career move. Chorley was unaware of this (PROSE: The Lost Skin [+]Loading...["The Lost Skin (short story)"]) and believed he'd been lucky to be on the spot during the crisis and had talked an impressionable government official into giving him the job. His colleagues were disgusted he got the job. (PROSE: Doctor Who and the Web of Fear [+]Loading...["Doctor Who and the Web of Fear (novelisation)"])
At first he was proud to be chosen for this unique assignment and at one point was callous enough to remark favourably about the recordings of Holborn tube station being overrun. Captain Knight grew to view Chorley with contempt, and Anne Travers chastised Chorley for his tendency to distort the truth for sensationalism. When the journalist realised the danger he was in, he panicked and attempted to flee. His disappearance caused several people, including Jamie McCrimmon, to suspect him of working for the Great Intelligence. During the crisis, he met Colonel Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart. (TV: The Web of Fear [+]Loading...["The Web of Fear (TV story)"])
When he tried to reveal the truth of what happened, the government had him blocked and blacklisted from the BBC. Chorley took Larry's career with him. (PROSE: The Schizoid Earth [+]Loading...["The Schizoid Earth (novel)"], Mutually Assured Domination [+]Loading...["Mutually Assured Domination (novel)"]) In his attempts to reveal the truth, he deeply researched Travers' history. (PROSE: The Lost Skin [+]Loading...["The Lost Skin (short story)"])
As a freelancer[[edit] | [edit source]]
In 1969, Chorley was a freelancer who was still struggling to work, found himself mocked by figures like Vanessa Redgrave, and was separated from his wife.
After covering an anti-war protest and saving two hippies from police violence, Chorley was drawn into a conspiracy around Dominex Industries. He became tied to Lethbridge-Stewart after phoning him to get bailed out of jail, and promised to report what he found at Dominex. The company turned out to be a front for the Dominators and after looking into it with Lethbridge-Stewart, Chorley was captured and brainwashed into doing puff pieces for the aliens. The brainwashing failed at a crucial moment and Chorley was able to save Lethbridge-Stewart, but his memories were left a confused jumble. (PROSE: Mutually Assured Domination [+]Loading...["Mutually Assured Domination (novel)"]) He became increasingly more erratic and a heavier drinker, his career falling apart, and he followed Lethbridge-Stewart in a desperate hope to learn what had happened. The memory damage even affected his knowledge of aliens.
He ended up accidentally falling in with ex-CIA agent Hannsen's attempts to bring down the Nazi Vilhelm Schädengeist, who was constructing a bunker under Billy Lovac's TV studio. He narrowly escaped being captured by Schädengeist's men during an investigation and tried to bring Lethbridge-Stewart in. The colonel used him as a cover for investigating the studio and when snooping around for a story, Chorley witnessed the brutal murder of a staff writer by Schädengeist (disguised as the actor Aubrey Mondegreene). To keep Chorley quiet, Lethbridge-Stewart convinced the disintegrating Lovac to give Chorley a fake story about what happened and that the murder was just special effects. Chorley, mentally recovered thanks to his tabloid-level scoop, sold the story to the Evening Standard and decided to get his wife back. (PROSE: The Showstoppers [+]Loading...["The Showstoppers (novel)"])
Near the end of that year, Chorley was still trying to expose Lethbridge-Stewart and forcing Larry Greene to assist, even as his obsession continued to retard his career. (Chorley remained bitter and envious of Greene's own recent career successes) Chorley learned Lethbridge-Stewart was working with the army in Scotland but arrived after the brigadier had already gone on leave abroad. (PROSE: The Lost Skin [+]Loading...["The Lost Skin (short story)"])
In February 1970, Chorley contacted Lethbridge-Stewart and asked for his assistance in investigating the Keynsham Triangle. (PROSE: The Dreamer's Lament [+]Loading...["The Dreamer's Lament (novel)"])
In late 1970, Chorley was involved in something with Vaar and Sally Wright. The event caused the death of Sally. (PROSE: Fear of the Web [+]Loading...["Fear of the Web (novel)"], The Danger Men [+]Loading...["The Danger Men (novel)"])
For years after, he would attempt to reveal the existence of aliens and be stonewalled by UNIT. (PROSE: The Forgotten Son original opening [+]Loading...["The Forgotten Son original opening (short story)"])
Later life[[edit] | [edit source]]
In 1973, Chorley was working for tabloids. He wrote articles on gangland killings that glorified in dead mobsters and called for stricter law and order. (PROSE: Rise of the Dominator [+]Loading...["Rise of the Dominator (novel)"])
In 1974, he hosted a daytime chat show on the BBC called Chorley's People. His counterpart on the Inferno Earth also hosted a show of the same name. (PROSE: Still Lives [+]Loading...["Still Lives (short story)"])
Chorley was once again controlled by Vaar in the 1980s. After Vaar was killed by Bill Bishop Lethbridge-Stewart promised that they would do more to get Chorley the help he needed than in their previous efforts. (PROSE: Legacy of the Dominator [+]Loading...["Legacy of the Dominator (novel)"])
William Bishop never had much to do with Harold Chorley during the 1990s, but knew that Lethbridge-Stewart kept tabs on him. In 1999 Bishop encountered him at a convention in Torquay. (PROSE: The Danger Men [+]Loading...["The Danger Men (novel)"])
After leaving journalism, he supplemented his retirement fund by ghost-writing autobiographies.
With only a month left to live, Lethbridge-Stewart summoned Chorley to his nursing home and asked Chorley to help him write his memoirs. (PROSE: The Forgotten Son original opening [+]Loading...["The Forgotten Son original opening (short story)"])
He wrote A Brief History of the Lethbridge-Stewarts, a brief history of the Lethbridge-Stewart family. (PROSE: A Brief History of the Lethbridge-Stewarts [+]Loading...["A Brief History of the Lethbridge-Stewarts (short story)"])
Behind the scenes[[edit] | [edit source]]
In non-valid sources[[edit] | [edit source]]
In 2017, he reported on Sherlock Holmes' attempted murder of Culverton Smith. (NOTCOVERED: The Lying Detective [+]Loading...["The Lying Detective (TV story)"])
