Doctor Who fan Steve Clark sues BBC over Davros claim
by Thom
Morris
tmorris@thekmgroup.co.uk
A lifelong Doctor Who fan is suing the BBC for breach of
copyright after claiming to have created the evil leader of the
Daleks - Davros.
Steve Clark, 52, from Calland, Brabourne Lees, has begun
proceedings at the High Court in London after failing to come to an
amicable solution with the Beeb.
The father-of-three said: "In 1972 I entered a competition to
create a new villain for the Doctor in TV Action magazine to win a
17 inch Rediffusion colour television - back then one of those
cost a fortune.
"I did a rough sketch which I still have and then a proper
version which I coloured in with felt pens and sent off.
"I didn't win, but then three years later my character appeared
on the television in the story Genesis of the Daleks.
"I just couldn't believe it - I was so proud my character was in
Doctor Who but, I suppose, angry and a bit upset as I had created
him and hadn't been acknowledged. All I want now is the
recognition."
The judges of the competition included the then Doctor, Jon
Pertwee, producer of the show Barry Letts and script editor
Terrance Dicks.
At 16 years old when the episode aired, Mr Clark, who lived in
Tournay Close at the time, contacted a solicitor but was told
nothing could be done.
His original sketch was lost and would not resurface for another
20 years inside an encyclopaedia at his mother's house.
When rumours emerged that the evil Kaled scientist would be
returning to the new series with David Tennant in 2008, Mr Clark
said he wrote to BBC bosses to ask that he not be used.
He added: "If they hadn't used it I wouldn't be having this
argument with them.
"I just want to sit around the table with the BBC; I did not
want to take court action.
"It's cost me a huge amount of time and I've done everything
possible - I've got hundreds and hundreds of emails dating back to
2007 - I just want to discuss it."
His lawyer Richard Kempner said the last thing they want is a
public falling out with the BBC.
He said: "I look at Steve's original drawing and the BBC's
Davros character and there are certainly a number of substantial
similarities.
"If they have used the drawing, then it's only fair that they
acknowledge it."
The BBC has asked for an extension to proceedings while they
prepare a case. It is not likely to go ahead until May.
22/03/11
- Click here for more news from across the county...