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“I Was Nearly Exterminated !”

Picture Anna Marie Bickerton

An Interview with David J Howe

How Doctor Who – and the Daleks – saved his life.

Even before David J Howe was born, the world of print and storytelling was already close at hand. His father worked in the printing department at the Daily Express newspaper, a job he kept until the paper moved out of Fleet Street in 1984. Neither father nor son could have foreseen that David’s fascination with a certain Saturday evening television programme would grow into a lifelong obsession — one that would shape his career, his friendships, and ultimately even save his life.

We sat down with David to talk about Doctor Who, the Daleks, and his extraordinary new memoir Who Me!.

John Pertwee and David ,,,

From Fan to Creator

Q: Do you remember when the magic of Doctor Who first gripped you?

David: I was just a boy in South London during the 1960s, when Dalek toys were everywhere. Like a lot of children, I was completely captivated. By the time I was 15, I was so inspired that I decided to build my own Dalek. My father used to bring home waste plastic from the printing floor, and I scavenged other bits and pieces. Using those materials, I built a full-size Dalek from scratch. It was a labour of love — and in a way, the start of everything that followed.

Father and son build a Dalek

Working with the Doctor

Q: Your journey from fan to authority on the show is remarkable. What were the big turning points?

David: I began collecting, writing, and eventually contributing to the world of Doctor Who. One of the most extraordinary moments was working with Jon Pertwee himself. Helping him with his autobiography was a privilege and a huge learning experience. Over the years, I became more and more involved in chronicling the programme’s history — from conventions and events to writing books that many fans now consider reference staples.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Who-Me-publishing-decades-history/dp/1835013309/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2W87D524O4N1M&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XwlZPLdXkWi3Ck2dDv-GKE6NXSnDhUCaHdD3b4JylbmbCUnODIzOKyFW2m8kTV531EvFaZRAxejNEfL7VG0Eblc2p5CT28I47AUl8YByXr6QnaD5oDRQ218XrpxrrAZkyf0ahVXBZfewIpymAyhu1hw7wGmL5GGdmv2fw8IK1pImipMHSf2HQMbngr3JM3Ujj8-z7pOjolY5CeioCONO1RgP0HaSEMXOBUMyq1o2Or8.rE0qe7VVeX6Nqlde2kQArEPPWrUAzswxxBufU-VZyb8&dib_tag=se&keywords=dr+who+books+david+j+howe&qid=1756821305&sprefix=david+j+howe+%2Caps%2C238&sr=8-1

A Life-Saving Detour

Q: You’ve said that Doctor Who quite literally saved your life. Can you tell us about that?

David: Yes, it’s true. A few years ago, I was heading to Cardiff for a Doctor Who exhibition — specifically to see the Daleks. On the way, I suffered a massive heart attack. If I had been at home, I wouldn’t have survived. But because of that trip, I happened to pass right by Cardiff University Hospital, one of the best cardiac hospitals in the country. I was rushed straight there. Without that coincidence, without that journey to see the Daleks, I simply wouldn’t be here today.

And of course, I wasn’t alone. My wife, bestselling author Samantha Lee Howe, has been my rock through it all. Without her support, recovery would have been a much harder road.

David with his beautiful wife and best selling author Samantha Lee Howe .

The Memoir: Who Me!

Q: Your new book, Who Me!, comes out this October. What can readers expect?

David: The book is my story, but it’s also the story of Doctor Who told through a very personal lens. I wanted to show how a television programme can shape a life, a culture, and even a country. I take readers behind the scenes — from the earliest fan conventions to my work documenting the series in print. I talk about working with Jon Pertwee, interviewing actors like Peter Davison, and even how the BBC began to understand and build its merchandise empire.

More than that, it’s about the joy of fandom, the friendships forged, the challenges faced, and the way Doctor Whobecame — and remains — a defining part of British popular culture.

Final Thoughts

Q: Why should readers pick up Who Me!?

David: Because it’s not just a fan’s tale. It’s a story about passion, perseverance, and the power of popular culture. Anyone interested in Doctor Who, or in British television history more broadly, will find something to enjoy. And I hope it shows that sometimes, what we love most can guide our lives in ways we never expect.

David with 70;s icon and Dr Who assistant Frazer Hines

📖 Who Me! by David J Howe
Publication date: 9 October 2025
Formats: Hardback, Digital, Audio
Publisher: Bedford Square
Available on Amazon

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Lewis Capaldi “There are tears for a star of The People”

Steven Smith sheds a tear at Glastonbury .

Lewis Capaldi at Glastonbury

Lewis Capaldi at Glastonbury

It’s hard to believe it’s a beautiful sunny day. I’m standing in a field surrounded by almost ten thousand people, with one of my best friends beside me It should be a moment of sheer joy. And yet, I’m crying.

Why? Because Lewis Capaldi is performing.

More than just singing, he is baring his soul. And somehow, it feels as though he’s opening it just for me. There’s a rawness in his voice and vulnerability in his presence that goes beyond a typical performance. As a man, I felt an instant, emotional connection to his struggle, his humour, and his humanity.

Capaldi’s return to the stage feels like one of the landmark performances of this century. Not simply because “he’s back,” as he says but because he has redefined what it means to be a male performer in the modern age. There was a time when baring your soul in music was reserved for iconic women—Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Nina Simone—divas who transformed pain into power and emotion into art. But Capaldi proves that a man can do the same. His voice isn’t just strong; it’s expressive, vulnerable, and unashamedly real.

There’s a reason we relate to artists like these so deeply: they tell our stories. And when we see them, we feel seen. Capaldi doesn’t posture or hide behind image or ego. He stumbles, jokes, apologises, laughs at himself—and keeps going. In a world often obsessed with perfection, his imperfections are his greatest strength.

Capaldi may not see himself this way, but he is one of the great performers of our time. Not only because of his incredible voice, but because of his natural wit, honesty, and charm. Who could forget his now-famous moment on The Graham Norton Show, when he hilariously recounted watching Fifty Shades of Grey star Jamie Dornan wield a whip, joking that he was holding one part of his anatomy while Dornan had the other? It’s outrageous, but entirely Capaldi—bold, cheeky, and completely unfiltered.

But behind the banter lies something even more powerful. His recent public struggles with mental health and Tourette’s have made him not just relatable but important. His openness has created space for men to talk about vulnerability without shame. Watching him on stage—pausing mid-song, taking deep breaths, letting the audience carry him when needed—is nothing short of brave.

I’ve attended many performances in my life, from pop concerts to opera at the Royal Opera House, where I once saw a devastatingly beautiful Tosca. I cried But nothing prepared me for the emotional impact of Capaldi live—it was so unexpected. He may not wear a tuxedo or stand beneath a chandelier, but make no mistake—this was high art. And perhaps more importantly, it was deeply human.

There’s a rare intimacy between Capaldi and his audience. At times, the concert felt more like a conversation than a show. People sang not just with him, but for him, filling in lyrics when his voice cracked or faltered. It wasn’t just support—it was love. Genuine, messy, joyous love.

In a world full of polished pop stars, here is someone who dares to be completely himself. He reminds us that music isn’t always about escapism; sometimes, it’s about facing pain head-on and finding beauty in the cracks. His songs speak to heartbreak, loneliness, and the strange, funny bits of life that connect us all.

So yes, on this perfect sunny day, in the middle of a field with thousands of others and one of my dearest friends, I cried. Not because I was sad, but because I felt something real—raw, universal, and unforgettable.

Lewis Capaldi, whether he realises it or not, has become a star of the people. And as tears rolled down my face, I felt honoured to witness it.

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2shades” Smoggie Queens.” Is bullying ever funny ?

Steven Smith takes a look at BBC’s Smoggie Queens . https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m0024pgt/smoggie-queens

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m0024pgt/smoggie-queens

There is no doubt that “Smoggie Queens” has moments of comedic brilliance. However, the constant bullying by Dickie (played by Phil Dunning, whose drag persona is Tuna Baguette) of the younger queen Stewart ( Elijah Young ) makes for uncomfortable viewing.at times This theme runs throughout the entire series, becoming repetitive and embodying everything we do not want to see in contemporary LGBTQ+ storytelling or comedy .

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m0024pgt/smoggie-queens

Having been a young teenager treated similarly by an older gay man when I was simply seeking advice and desperate for acceptance, I could relate to the discomfort the series evokes. I recall being humiliated when the most attractive man at the bar approached me at 16, bypassing my own “Dickie.” Outside, I was punched and accused of making myself look cheap—pure jealousy. Sadly, the gay scene isn’t always the “We Are Family” utopia it’s often portrayed to be. Mean queens are a reality, and most cases, they’re not particularly funny.

Dickie, unfortunately, is where the show falters. Phil Dunning, the writer and creator, fails to bring much depth to the character, leaving him unlikeable. As Dickie’s former boyfriend Harrison aptly states, “I have really tried to love you, but you’re selfish, egotistical prick .” This sentiment defines how Dunning plays Dickie throughout the series, both in and out of drag. While Dunning’s screen presence is undeniable, it’s disappointing that he didn’t explore more dimensions of Dickie’s character. Even in the end, when Dickie shows a glimmer of empathy for his victim, it feels like too little, too late.

Dickie (played by Phil Dunning, whose drag persona is Tuna Baguette)

Where “Smoggie Queens” truly shines is in its brilliant supporting cast. Mark Benton as Mam is nothing short of phenomenal. Channeling the charm of greats like the legendary Marc Fleming, Benton delivers an award-worthy performance that leaves you in stitches from the moment Mam appears. While it would have been easy to play Mam solely for laughs, Benson’s portrayal is a masterclass in combining comedy with humanity, making Mam a character you simply can’t get enough of.

Alexandra Mardell as Lucinda, the ultimate “fag hag” on the lookout for love, teams up with Patsy Lowe as Sal to deliver comedy gold. Their beautifully understated performances result in side-splitting humor that elevates the show.

There are some notable guest appearances: RuPaul’s Drag Race star Michelle Visage plays the office spinster (and who doesn’t love her?). Plus, there’s a brilliant cameo by Steph McGovern. Notably, Michael Hodgson’s Nan is both menacing and camp.

While the series does have its merits, it also reinforces certain stereotypes about the LGBTQ+ community. Instead of challenging these clichés or providing fresh perspectives, “Smoggie Queens” sometimes leans into them, which feels like a missed opportunity in an otherwise promising show.

This is a show that will for sure be recommissioned. It is no “Will and Grace ” or “Gimmie, Gimmie . But it does a firm Mark Benton as comic genius and open the gates to a new talent in Elijah Young .

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m0024pgt/smoggie-queens