I was only a lad, and it was a long time ago, but I can vividly remember the excitement I felt as I made my way to the first floor of my local bookshop. There was a pair of swing doors at the top of the stairs, but I recall they were already open... clearly revealing the object of my desire. In the middle of the shop floor was a table piled high with books, but dominating them all was a large hardback leaning against a stand. As I plucked a book from the top of the pile I could scarcely believe its weight. Could it be true? Had someone actually written a proper, ‘grown-up’ book all about the making of Doctor Who?
The year was 1983, and I had finally got my hands on a copy of Peter Haining’s Doctor Who: A Celebration. I devoured every page and I’m sure I could still recite some of the passages relating to William Hartnell and the other legendary figures featured inside. Haining was a talented anthologist who summoned a virtual reunion of Doctor Who luminaries – both alive and dead – for a lavish and sometimes poignant lap of honour. A Celebration was unique in 1983, but that didn’t stop me regarding this as the show’s ultimate reference work.