Emmerdale star takes shock swipe at BBC bosses after brutal snub from legendary show

A SOAP star has hit out at BBC bosses for their method of axing her character from Doctor Who back in 1978.

Actress Louise Jameson played Leela, the fourth Doctor's companion on the legendary sci-fi series.

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The warrior from the Savateem tribe had an underwhelming exit from the show after spending 40 episodes traveling through time and space in the Tardis.

Leela fell in love with Andred, a native Gallifreyan, while on an expedition with the Doctor to save his home planet from invasion.

As the Time Lord set off to continue his adventures, she decided to stay behind in Gallifrey and get married.

Louise Jameson has now admitted that she thinks her character deserved a better ending during an appearance at a BFI Southbank Doctor Who screening.

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The 72-year-old soap star said: "It was a crap ending, wasn’t it?

"I think she should have died saving the Doctor’s life – something really heroic. Or you travel forward and she’s got a football team of children… something dramatic, anyway.

"I mean, it’s so cliché, isn’t it, that she’s fallen in love, that’s how we get rid of her."

Show writer Pete McTighe agreed with her, adding: "For such an iconic character and such an amazing actress – one of the best actresses we’ve ever had in the show – to be married off to a posh Gallifreyan guard she’s had six words with never quite seemed right to me, as a kid."

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Now Louise has had the chance to reprise her role for a better send off, playing the warrior in Leela vs the Time War.

The short film was released on YouTube in January 2024.

Fans have gushed over the comeback, with one emotional fan saying: "Swear I almost cried watching this, I was there for her original adventures with the doctor and to see Leela still raging with the heart of a warrior, that’s awesome beyond all hope."

Another exclaimed: " Instantly choked up, Louise is gorgeous and brilliant, she’s never left the role!"

A third agreed: "And after all these years, she’s still the Leela we all know and love. Kudos to Louise Jameson for flawlessly stepping back into character.";