The world has been an unsure place of late. With the Coronavirus ravaging the planet, it is like something out of science-fiction. Luckily though, with our own doctors working their hardest, we might not need the Doctor and companions to save the day.
But with so many people having already been victims of this terrible illness, it is with the greatest of sadness we have to report the passing of Hamish Wilson, who has left for the TARDIS in the sky following his own battle with Covid-19.
For those who don’t know, Hamish Wilson played the Second Doctor’s companion, Jamie McCrimmon for two episodes of The Mind Robber, after Frazer Hines had fallen ill with chicken pox. The Doctor was tasked with putting Jamie back together again but got his face wrong, allowing Hamish to take over the role.
The Mind Robber is a great story and Hamish is a wonderful addition to the cast for the two episodes he features in, effortlessly fitting in with Patrick Troughton as the Second Doctor and Wendy Padbury as Zoe. His connection with The Mind Robber continued when the DVD was released in 2005, taking part in the Making Of documentary as well as the commentary. At the time he worked on the 1968 serial, he also worked as a furniture removal man.
Wilson featured in a number of other television series including Softly, Softly, Taggart, Monarch of the Glen, Still Game, and movies including the Disney film, Greyfriars Bobby: The True Story of a Dog (1961), and 2013’s TimeLock.
Outside film and television, Wilson worked with Radio Fourth and Radio Clyde, both stations across his home of Scotland. In 1989, he moved to BBC Radio Scotland. 1996 saw him awarded a fellowship to The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. He was also a member of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
2014 found Wilson joining Toby Hadoke on his Big Finish Podcast, Who’s Round in episode 51, where he talked about working for Disney, radio drama, and equity politics as well as Doctor Who.
For a man who had such a range in the entertainment industry, his loss is a shock, and even though he only featured in two episodes of one story, he has rightly had a lasting legacy in the series.
Hamish Wilson passed away near his home in Rutherglen, Lanarkshire on 26th March 2020 aged 77. He is survived by his wife, Dianne.
Hamish Wilson: 13th December 1947- 26th March 2020. Rest in Peace.
