Shropshire Star

Deborah Watling: MP pays tribute to his former Doctor Who companion sister

The actress who played Victoria Waterfield opposite Patrick Troughton has has died aged 69.

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The MP brother of former Doctor Who companion Deborah Watling has paid tribute to his sister, who has died aged 69, saying: “She had the fighting spirit of a giant”.

The actress was best known for playing Victoria Waterfield opposite Patrick Troughton, the second Doctor, in the popular sci-fi series between 1967 and 1968.

Giles Watling, MP for Clacton, wrote on Twitter: “Sad day – little sister gone, but she had the fighting spirit of a giant! Bye bye Debs…”

He told the Press Association: “She was a lovely, lovely girl, bubbly and vibrant. She will be sorely missed.”

Born in Loughton, Essex in January 1948, to film star Jack Watling and actress Patricia Hicks, Deborah made her first television appearance as a child in an episode of William Tell, before landing the part of Sally Wilson in HG Wells’ The Invisible Man between 1958 and 1959.

In 1965 she played Alice in Play For Today: The Life of Lewis Carroll before her big break in Doctor Who, which saw her star opposite her father in two episodes: The Abominable Snowman and The Web Of Fear.

Deborah Watling
Deborah Watling (REX/Shutterstock)
On the beach in Doctor Who (BBC)
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