Doctor Who voice actor John Leeson dies aged 83

Actor John Leeson, best known as the voice of the robot dog K9 in Doctor Who, has died at the age of 83. The news was shared on Facebook by his son, Guy Ducker, who said his father passed away peacefully following a summer of illness. The Guardian, Metro.co.uk, The Independent, Doctor Who TV, and AOL.com all reported his death. [1][2][3][4][5]

Guy Ducker expressed his gratitude to the show's fan base, thanking the Whovian community for the love they showed to his father over the decades. The Guardian reported that Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies remembered Leeson as a true gent. [1]

Born John Francis Christopher Ducker in Leicester in 1943, Leeson trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Outside of Doctor Who, his acting career included roles in television shows such as Dad's Army and Rainbow, where he portrayed the character Bungle. [1][5][7][8]

The character of K9 first appeared in Doctor Who in 1977 and was kept in the show after becoming popular with younger audiences. In addition to the main series, Leeson voiced K9 in several spin-off television projects, including K-9 and Company, The Sarah Jane Adventures, and K9. [6][7]