Mark Strickson

Mark Strickson (born 6 April 1959) is an English television producer and actor best known for playing companion Vislor Turlough in Doctor Who from 1983 to 1984.

Early life

Strickson was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. He attended King Edward VI Grammar School in his home town, the same school as William Shakespeare, and was also a chorister at Holy Trinity Church (Shakespeare's Church), where his father, John Strickson, was organist and choirmaster. He studied drama at RADA in London.

Career As an actor, Strickson appeared in the BBC medical series Angels before landing his part in Doctor Who, co-starring with Peter Davison and Janet Fielding between 1983 and 1984. He appeared at Doctor Who 20th-anniversary celebrations in Longleat in 1983, alongside many other cast and crew members from the series. He also played the young Ebenezer Scrooge in the 1984 television film A Christmas Carol starring George C. Scott.

After this, Strickson emigrated to Australia, where he studied zoology at the Armidale campus of the University of New England, part-funding his education by teaching theatre studies for five years. He subsequently relocated to Dunedin, New Zealand, where he took up residence. He appeared in a television advertising campaign for Strepsils throat lozenges which aired in Australia and New Zealand in 1993. Strickson became a documentary producer and director, especially of wildlife documentary programmes. He has produced programmes for, amongst others, the Discovery Channel, the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Animal Planet. In this capacity, he brought Steve Irwin, the "Crocodile Hunter", to public attention with such shows as The Ten Deadliest Snakes in the World.

Strickson has reprised the role of Turlough in the Big Finish Productions Doctor Who audio dramas. He has also contributed interviews and voiceover commentaries for DVD releases of his various Doctor Who serials.

Filmography

Television

Video games Year Title Role Notes 2003 Advanced Warriors Guardian Force