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Doctor Who slammed as ‘sci-fi garbage’ by former BBC boss who says Star Wars is better

Ex-BBC One controller Michael Grade has opened up about his decision to postpone Doctor Who in 1985, and slammed the show as ‘science fiction garbage’. Grade first took the job in 1984, and less than a year later he had binned one of the channel’s most iconic shows and spent its budget elsewhere.

Speaking to the Evening Standard, the former boss stood by his decision to axe the long-running Saturday night staple. Former BBC One controller Michael Grade slammed Doctor Who, which he axed in 1985 (Picture: Getty) ‘I hated Doctor Who,’ he said. ‘I said to the producer, “Have you ever seen Star Wars or ET?” He said yes. I said “well I’ve got news for you, so have our audience.” What we were serving up as science fiction was garbage.’