John Simm, who played the Master opposite the Tenth and Twelfth Doctors (respectively played by David Tennant and Peter Capaldi), has admitted that his world “spun around” when he found out that the man he thought was his biological father actually wasn’t.
While he was raised by Ronald Simm, John found out that biologically, his father was a man named Terence.
Simm took part in an ITV show called DNA Journey with his Life on Mars co-star, Philip Glenister. He says:
“It’s turned out to be such a massive thing in my life and all I was doing was a favour for Phil so he didn’t have to do it on his own. It’s spun my world… everything I thought I knew wasn’t real.
“When [my parents] had me, in the sixties, they were both young… they were together and then they split up and were both with other people and then they got back together and then they had me. I’d never heard this story before.”
Ronald sadly passed away in 2015, and though Terence has also died, John at least got to meet up with Karen, his half-sister, who he previously didn’t know existed.
“Out of everybody in my family, I was always closest to my Dad. When I was younger, we used to go round clubs playing guitar and singing, so I’m glad my Dad isn’t alive to see this, because I’m sure he’d be shocked and upset by it as well. He was my Dad.”
Simm was an excellent Master and an exceptional actor — one of my favourites, in fact, which is why I’m aiming to see him in this year’s theatrical production of A Christmas Carol.
So DNA Journey is a welcome and rare look at Simm’s life, considering he’s otherwise (and understandably) a very private individual.
DNA Journey airs on Wednesday 9th October 2024 at 9pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV, and STV Player.
