Tom Baker
As can probably be told from my username, I have a certain affliction. It's something I managed to supress for a long time, but which has come to become more prolific as the years went on (separating from a long term partner, and suddenly finding you have your own place and own money to spend will do that).

So, in the mid nineties, (about 1996 I think - I can't be arsed to go and check), Tom Baker released his autobiography and did a signing tour of Waterstones branches across the UK. Fucking brilliant! I noted the date, and figured I'd get myself down to the Metrocentre in the evening to have a copy signed. And perhaps even a buttock. I didn't care.

As the weeks ticked by and the great day came ever closer, I got more excited. Tom bloody Baker! The best Doctor ever! And I was going to meet him and shake his hand and ask him all sorts of probing questions that he'd probably never EVER been asked before, like "What was your favourite monster?" and "What was it like shagging Lalla Ward?".

And so the day came; I finished work, drove straight through to the Metrocentre, cursing the slow moving rush hour traffic. I parked up, and maintained as calm a walk as possible as I sauntered through the malls. And then the branch of Waterstones loomed in front of me, tantalising me with its Baker-y goodness. This was gonna be sooooo cool. And I stepped inside the shop...

...Which was virtually empty, save for a few people browsing the shelves. What? Surely I'm not too late; the notice definitely said from 6pm.

I checked my watch. Yep, 6pm on the nose. maybe he's not here yet? But no, surely there would be a queue?

And then my eye was drawn to the date on my watch and realisation sunk in... The fucking signing was the day before.

I really can be a complete spaktard at times.

There were, however, several signed copies on sale in the shop so I still bought a copy. It remains one of the funniest things I have ever read to this day, so if you can track down a copy, then do
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Fri 17 Apr 2009, 20:36, 4 replies)

He gives me the freaks
Tom Baker IS Dr Who for me. He was the Dr. at the age I could comprehend Dr Who. BUT, the main thing I remember about him as the Doctor is when he turned kinda hairy/spikey?
(Big Smurf Brush me daddy-O, Sat 18 Apr 2009, 0:46, closed)

That would be
Meglos.

Big cactus shape-shifting mathingy.

/Geeks
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Sat 18 Apr 2009, 1:36, closed)

Tom Baker?
Who on Earth is he?


I was banned from reading that book until the age of 18 by my mum. Because it included a "wanking club". Bit of an anti-climax (fnarr) when I realised that that was the only reason I'd not been able to read the autobiography of one of my heros.
( uberdeity Wondered why Owen Lars knew of the term "hell" on, Sat 18 Apr 2009, 3:21, closed)

I..
...don't mean to rub it in, but I saw him at a signing in Waterstones - and I only went in there to get out of the rain.
(dchurch bah, Mon 20 Apr 2009, 13:36, closed)