David Whitaker Biography

A new biography of David Whitaker is to be published by Ten Acre Films. 

David Whitaker in an Exciting Adventure with Television will look at the life of Doctor Who's first story editor. The book, by Simon Guerrier, will be published in November to mark 60 years since the first episode of Doctor Who was broadcast. 

Discover the extraordinary, little-known life of one of the series chief architects. As the show’s first story editor, he helped to establish the compelling blend of adventure, imagination and quirky humour that made – and continues to make – the series a hit. 

Whitaker commissioned the first Dalek story and fought for it to be made when his bosses didn’t like it. Regeneration, the TARDIS being alive, the idea of Doctor Who expanding to become a multimedia phenomenon in comics, books and films… David Whitaker was all over it. Yet very little was known about this key figure in Doctor Who history – until now. Why did he fall out with Irving Berlin? Was he really engaged to Yootha Joyce? And how did an assignment to Moscow badly affect his career?  

Simon Guerrier has written countless Doctor Who books, comics and audio plays. He’s also the author of Sherlock Holmes — The Great War and has produced a number of documentaries for BBC Radio 3 and Radio 4.

The biography will be published on 6th November 2023 and is available for pre-order