And now its come back.
At the time Id been offered a whole load of Shakespeare and I opted for that instead.
But I think with the wisdom of hindsight Id have gone back in for the whole season.
How has Leela evolved from what we know of her in the Tom Baker era?
Theres a lot more separation from the Doctor, so that shes actually driving the story.
My favourite story when I was in it visually wasThe Sun Makers…
That was a real Leela-story.
There were some lovely stories by Chris Boucher, who I think really understood the character of Leela.
Its a subtle difference, but a major difference.
Thats a question that really should go to Tom.
But yes, I think perhaps his dislike of Leela fed into the scripts.
I think he just wanted to travel on his own.
Well, do you remember the Janus thorns?
He hated that, and he was very instrumental in getting that taken out of the scripts.
In a way he had a point.
He hated them like he hated the sonic screwdriver.
As an intellectual character, he wanted the weapons taken out of the equation…?
Well, with the sonic screwdriver, how could you ever be trapped anywhere?
So we had to write lines like Even the sonic screwdriver wont open this!.
I think youve got it in one.
[laughs] But you know, I thought I was going to be in a kids TV series.
I had absolutely no idea that shed be in those clothes and shed end up a sex-symbol.
Were you alarmed by the fan mail, when it began to come?
It was all censored.
Did the action and stunts involved in a character like Leela make the role more attractive to you?
Im a bit of a scaredy-cat.
I rang up the producer and I said No she doesnt!
But leaping onto the back of the carriage, I got to do that one myself.
It doesnt look much of a stunt, but actually its quite hard to do!
Did working with Colin Baker inBedroom Farcedouble the number ofWhofans at the stage-door?
Yes, we did have quite a lot of Who interest.
I do another show with Colin calledLove Letters, and I love working with Colin.
We laugh all the time, and hes so talented.
Dont tell him though, hell get big-headed.Can you tell us about your stand-up work?
Stand-up has gone a bit on the back-burner, to be honest.
Is this the one where youre working with eight other writers, aiming at BBC3?
Oh no, this is the sketch show.
That other project is now stretched to thirteen [writers].
Its just an excuse, isnt it [laughs].
The publicity was fantastic it always upped the viewing figures.
Is it something you would have liked to have seen go on for two or three series?
I think thatOmega FactorwasThe X-Fileswithout the budget, really.
I thought it was a fantastic idea, but for me there were too many writers on it.
But some really spooky things happened on that show.
There was a scene where someone had to be taken over by the devil.
For more than half an hour, and nobody ever found out why.
Did participating inThe Actor Speaksfeel like a milestone, looking back over what youd done?
I wish Id spent a bit longer on it, actually, in choosing the material.
Is there any chance David Tennant will get an opportunity to meet up with Leela?
Well, I met David Tennant.
I really would like to meet her.
There was a big thing about David meeting Leela.
You know he started off as a [Who] fan, and hes the perfect Doctor.
So youd do it?
The philosophy hasnt changed that much its still good triumphing over evil.
It was a real strict rule in my day, that it was purely platonic.
It was a teacher-pupil thing, wasnt it?
And I wish theyd exploited that a bit more.
I wish Id gone further to be honest.
I really like the script that Nigel wrote.
[aside] Did we treat that voice, the Tom Baker parts…?
No, it was all me.
Are you doing the upcoming conventions in Australia and New Zealand?
[shakes head] No.
Two days ago the BBC decided not to release me.
Its my birthday too!
Is this a practical or a licensing issue?
Do you enjoy doing the conventions?
More and more I enjoy doing them.
Theyre better organised than they used to be, and in a way youre more protected when youre there.
I try not to do more than about four a year.
Apart from autographs and so forth, what are the fans most often asking you?
Whats Tom Baker like to work with!
Do you still get female fans who say they were inspired by Leela?
I did very much so in the 70s and 80s.
Not so much now, because women do their own thing now, dont they?
Really thanks to my generations grandmothers, chaining themselves to the railings up the road.
Thats where it all started.
A female Doctor Who has been talked about on and off, since at least the 80s.
Would that be a problem?
I suspect it would be less than fifty percent of the fans who would want it.
But I would absolutely love to see it.
Somebody like Stephanie Cole…
..Judi Dench?
[JAMESONS AGENT] Louise Jameson!
Why did your decision to not have a facelift inspire you to write and perform a show about it?
I felt, as a middle-aged actress, that I had been suddenly totally overlooked.
It just doesnt seem to make sense.
However never say never.
The jurys out [laughs].
But for the moment, I wouldnt touch it.
Thanks to Leesa Daniels ofForbidden Planet, and David Richardson atBig Finishfor helping to arrange this interview.
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