Professor X

Professor X was a BBC science fiction television series which ran from 1963 to 1989. The show concerned a mysterious scientist who travelled through time and space inside a TASID, a ship which resembled a pillar box on the outside. (NA: No Future) The series had merchandise created based on it (NA: Conundrum) and overseas fans in such places as the United States. (NA: Return of the Living Dad)

In 1976, the character was being played by Frankie Howerd. During that same year, Bernice Summerfield, apparently unfamiliar with this aspect of 20th century popular culture, met him inside the Mediasphere encountered the Professor in his own fictional world. Using his TASID, the Professor dropped her off in the real universe. Benny noticed his resemblance to the Doctor and appreciated the character all the more because of it. (NA: No Future) Dave Young played a Cybertron in one of the final episodes of the series. (EDA: Escape Velocity)

Other information

• The existence of the fictional character might just explain Ace's habit of calling the Doctor, "the Professor" (other than the fact that she enjoyed teasing him).

Behind the Scenes

The existence of Professor X in the Doctor Who Universe goes some way towards explaining the announcement about a new science fiction series airing at 5:25 p.m. on Saturday on BBC television, as mentioned in Remembrance of the Daleks. (But We Clearly hear the announcer say the word "Doc")