Bill Strutton (23 February 1918-23 November 2003) wrote the Doctor Who television story The Web Planet. He also wrote Doctor Who and the Zarbi, the novelisation of The Web Planet. It was first published in 1965, prior to the publication of David Whitaker's novelisation of his teleplay, Doctor Who and the Crusaders. Strutton has the distinction of being the first Doctor Who episode writer to also write a novelisation of his work. Coincidentally, he died on the series' 40th anniversary.