The Doctor, as portrayed by William Hartnell.

It’s time to bring on the birthday cake and crack open the jammy dodgers because Doctor Who is 49 today!

 On this day in 1963 the BBC broadcast that thrilling and otherworldly theme music for the first time and viewers were introduced to the Doctor and his incredible TARDIS. At the close of the episode his time machine left present day Earth far behind and began a journey, a journey that introduced the world to Daleks, Cybermen, Time Lords and the idea that bow ties really are cool. It’s a journey that still goes on today and continues this Christmas with The Snowmen…

But before that, why not take a trip back in time and see how it all began? Our expansion of the site is well and truly underway and if you’ve ever wondered about the First Doctor, the one that started it all or ‘the original’ as he put it himself, then why not plunge into his adventures? We’ve got almost one hundred new galleries for you to explore and over 80 exciting clips from his stories, plus Fact Files for every single one, photo-novels and much, much more.  

Revisit early Dalek epics like The Chase and The Dalek Invasion of Earth, check out the very first battle with the terrifying Cybermen or in light of the anniversary, why not travel back to 1963 and see how Doctor Who began by meeting An Unearthly Child…