As many people may have heard by now, Michael Sheard, who appeared in many stories in the classic series, has sadly passed away at the age of 65 from cancer. Sci-Fi Fans may also recall his appearances in Blake’s 7 as well as The Empire Strikes Back and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Sheard appeared first appeared in Doctor Who way back in 1966 during the William Hartnell era, in The Ark, then followed that up with appearances alongside Jon Pertwee in The Mind of Evil (1971), next to Tom Baker in Pyramids of Mars (1975) in arguably his most well-remembered Doctor Who appearance, with Tom Baker again in The Invisible Enemy (1977), with Peter Davison in Castrovalva (1982), and with Sylvester McCoy in Remembrance of the Daleks (1988). He also co-starred with Paul McGann in the Doctor Who audio The Stones of Venice which, while originally released on CD by Big Finish in 2001, is slated to be broadcast on BBC7 starting October 1st. Although no-one knew it at the time, it turned out to be his final Doctor Who role, and as it shall be broadcast so soon after his untimely death it perhaps can serve as a fitting tribute to this fine actor. He will be missed.