Caroline John 1940-2012

Caroline John died on 5th June, although this has only just been announced. RIP Miss Shaw.

No! Not Liz Shaw!

Aw, very sad news. RIP, Caroline.

The tributes pouring in are a testimony to what a lovely lady she was. Here's a photo that my good friend Paul Condon posted on Facebook earlier.



He wrote:

"Me and Lisa Hodge with the marvellous Caroline John at her first ever Doctor Who Convention, Manopticon 3, back in 1994. This photo was taken just as an incredibly nervous Carrie was about to make her first appearance on-stage. Bless her, she thought that people wouldn't like her and that she wouldn't have anything to say. How wrong she was."

A Doctor Who great. And could have been even better if the writers had a bit more faith in independent women...

She always sounded utterly charming on commentaries too.

Some tributes from Who Alumni.

Colin Baker

Devastated to hear that the lovely, talented, wise and gentle Caroline John is no longer with us. So sad. Thoughts with Geoffrey and family.

Steven Moffat

Caroline was a brilliant actress and in her role as Liz Shaw, a tremendous co-star for Jon Pertwee in his first year as the Doctor. She was not just a sidekick but a scientist in her own right and a match for the universe's number one know-all. The Doctor's companions should never be his assistants - they're the people who keep him on his toes, and that's what Caroline did. From everyone at the show, our thoughts go out to Caroline’s family.

Mark Gatiss

Very sad to hear that the lovely Caroline John has passed away. RIP.

Nick Briggs

I met Carry many years ago while filming. She was the Detective Inspector and I was her assistant. We had such a laugh working together, and when we came to record a Myth Makers interview a few weeks later, we just couldn't stop giggling. She was a lovely lady who was always so much fun to be with, and even though she could enjoy a saucy joke or two, there was also something of a delightful prudishness about her. When I think of her smile and her warmth now, it brightens my heart.

Yes, Uncle Terrance wasn't talented enough to write an intelligent woman so she had to go.

Sad news - she was fantastic.

I was saddened to hear the news.

Another shock. I really liked Liz Shaw as a companion.