Doctor Who returns to filming location 40 years on

A former Doctor Who companion has returned to film a new mini-episode at the location where she made her last regular appearance in the series more than 40 years ago.

Janet Fielding, who played Australian air hostess Tegan Jovanka from 1981 to 1984, has filmed Destination: Daleks with Fifth Doctor Peter Davison at Butler's Wharf in central London to promote a forthcoming Blu-ray release.

The actress, from Ramsgate, Kent, was last at the location next to Tower Bridge for her departure scenes in the adventure Resurrection of The Daleks in September 1983.

Fielding said: "It was really emotional being back to film there after so long."

She said: "Peter [Davison] and I are such friends.

"It was a joy to go back. Absolutely."

Butler's Wharf, which was all derelict warehouses in the early 1980s, is now modern housing, shops and restaurants overlooking the Thames.

The actress added: "The location is so different now.

"It was obvious that it was going to be a very nice place to live once developed."

Resurrection of the Daleks was broadcast in 1984 and features the Fifth Doctor with companions Tegan and Turlough.

The Tardis gets caught in a time corridor, dumping the crew in 1980s London where Daleks are using android duplicates to facilitate a plot to free their creator, Davros.

Fielding said: "I remember that the stairs were very slippery that led down to the river.

"I was wearing high heels and a tight leather skirt.

"It was emotional as I knew I was leaving."

Fielding returned to Doctor Who as Tegan for a one-off TV appearance in Jodie Whittaker's final adventure Power of the Doctor in 2022.

She came back again the following year alongside Peter Davison in a BBC iPlayer series Tales of the Tardis.

The actress used her Doctor Who connections to organise conventions to raise funds for her Ramsgate-based former charity Project MotorHouse, which was an arts and heritage based scheme for young people.

She said: "Everything keeps coming back to Doctor Who. It's really quite circular.

"But I think that's because it has been going for so long.

"So many people have Doctor Who connections. It's astounding."

Doctor Who: The Collection - Season 21 is released on Blu-ray on 16 March.

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