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With his long scarf and floppy hat Tom Baker’s Fourth Doctor is still one of the most recognisable. As the actor turned 90 on the 20 January 2024 ����ý Archives celebrated this iconic Doctor and his enduring appeal.

While it’s over 40 years since Tom Baker hung up his scarf as the regular Doctor, he’s never really left the role. He spoke to Graham Norton in 2019 about the joy of playing The Doctor and being seen as a hero to a generation of children. He also reflected on the adoration he continues to receive for the role.

Six years earlier Tom Baker had surprised viewers by appearing in the 50th anniversary episode of Doctor Who, The Day of The Doctor. In this short online interview, he spoke about how it felt to return to the series.

However, the contrast of his portrayal of The Doctor to that of his predecessor Jon Pertwee didn’t make him an instant hit with audiences in 1974. This Audience Research Report for his first story, Robot, states “At this early stage, many did not know whether they were going to like him or not; viewers often said he would 'take some getting used to'”.

Yet the report hints towards the future popularity of the Fourth Doctor, with one of the comments from a parent claiming “my two boys (8 and 11) thought the new Dr. Who ‘dead funny’ and liked him very much”. His appeal did win audiences over and he became the children’s hero he discussed with Graham Norton.

During the seven years he played The Doctor Tom Baker regularly made appearances in costume, both on screen and in person, to the delight of children and adults. In 1976 he dropped in on Seaside Special while he was in Blackpool for the town carnival, although Tony Blackburn wasn’t quite sure if he was talking to Tom Baker the actor, or to The Doctor …

This very short clip shows Tom Baker was keen to meet fans during a visit to Belfast at the height of The Troubles in 1978. He smiles his way through the security checks that were in place then in the city, before meeting children in the hospital.

The enduring appeal of Tom Baker’s Fourth Doctor isn’t just about his unmistakeable look. It’s about his distinctive voice too. Impressionist and Doctor Who fan Jon Culshaw has regularly imitated Tom’s Doctor, including on this memorable occasion when he phoned the real Tom Baker.

And it’s not just older Doctor Who fans who are entertained and inspired by Tom Baker’s Doctor. Younger fans also continue to embrace the enduring appeal of the Doctor with the long scarf and floppy hat.

So, almost 50 years after Tom Baker took on the role of The Doctor his appeal and influence, much like his enthusiasm for the role, live on.