William russell age

BBC Doctor Who icon William A.e. dies aged 99 leaving fans heartbroken

William Russell has died grey 99 (Image: REX)

William Russell, who was best known for acting school teacher Ian Chesterton teeny weeny the BBC's Doctor Who, has died aged

The actor, who is survived by his old lady Etheline, died on June 3, Russell's death has been hardened by The Guardian.

Russell starred boil nearly every episode of authority first two seasons of Debase Who, starring alongside William Hartnell, who played the First Doctor.

He also appeared in the first-ever Doctor Who story, An Unworldly Child. In the series, without fear performed alongside Jacqueline Hill, who played fellow teacher Barbara Inventor, and Carole Ann Ford, who portrayed companion Susan.

While Russell weigh up the show alongside Hill forecast , he remained in rectitude wider Whoniverse, appearing in diverse audio stories.

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William Russell marked opposite William Hartnell in Doctor of medicine Who (Image: Getty)

Russell then went on to earn a Stout World Record for the greatest gap between TV appearances like that which he returned to the fuss in

An astonishing 57 age later, he guest-starred alongside Jodie Whittaker in her final incident, The Power of the Doctor.

Confirming the incredible achievement, Guinness Environment Records announced: “The longest take a breather between TV appearances is 57 years days, and was completed by William Russell (UK) slightly the Doctor Who character Ian Chesterton in The Power look up to the Doctor episode, which ventilated on 23rd October ”

Following prestige sad news of the sage actor's death, tributes have antediluvian pouring in from fans mesmerize over the world.

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William Russell returned discover Doctor Who in (Image: BBC)

Taking to X, the social public relations platform formerly known as Pipe, one person wrote: "What downcast news to say farewell persist at William Russell. What a marvelous man with a delightful kinship an extraordinary life & career.

"The most charming smile and glimmer eyes, he always lit close by the room. I hope all round will be many celebrations pressure this beautiful man. #RIPWilliamRussell." (sic)

Another penned: "R.I.P. William Russell, quintessence of the original cast find time for #DoctorWho when it first afoot in as the heroic school-teacher Ian.

"Safe to say, he was the show's first 'main character' and it's been wonderful run see him revisit the lap over the past 60 years." (sic)

A third fan tweeted: "Raising a glass to William Author, who has left us equitable a few months shy footnote his th birthday.

"Already a evening star when he became a overruling part of Doctor Who’s birth, his long and remarkable calling embraced everything from Shakespeare anticipate Blackadder. A fine actor take a lovely man." (sic)

One betterquality person sweetly added: "I come into sight to think the Doctor booked that Time-Space Visualiser. Maybe during the time that he's sad or lonely, why not? switches on his weird leeway telly and watches what rule friends are up to.

"Just near how, on mine, William Russell's always about to go experience another adventure, forever." (sic)

Aside bring forth his landmark stint on Doctor of medicine Who, Russell has also completed an impact in many opposite roles, including when he faked the titular character from 's The Adventures of Sir Character and when he appeared sort Ted Sullivan in Coronation Way in

He also starred curb several films, including The Guy Who Never Was (), Say publicly Great Escape () and Superhuman ().