John Leeson 1943-2026
He was not on the list.
The actor John Leeson, the voice of K-9, has died at the age of 83.
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John Leeson played the voice of the Doctor's robot dog in 55 episodes of Doctor Who. His characterisation of the little robot dog was so skilled and so full of fun that he helped make what was due to be a temporary character into a fully fledged member of the TARDIS crew, much loved and remembered by fans. It is a tribute to the actor that his cry of Affirmative is as much associated with Doctor Who as the Daleks' cry of Exterminate. He endowed the character with a life force that saw K-9 return to the series and its spinoffs many times over the years.
John Leeson was born John Ducker in 1943. In the 1950s, he joined the Leicester Dramatic Society before winning a place at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. At RADA, he adopted the stage name John Leeson, derived from the surname of a wealthy godmother whom he believed was funding his tuition.
After graduating, he worked in repertory and pantomimes, including a production of Toad of Toad Hall, in which he met his future wife.
His first work in television was as a walk-on in a BBC play The Wedding Feast in 1965, followed by The Spanish Farm and Dad's Army in 1968. He played the original Bungle the Bear in the children's series Rainbow.
In 1977, he was asked to play two voices in the fourth Doctor story, The Invisible Enemy. One was the voice of the Nucleus, the other a fun character, Professor Marius's robot dog K-9. Because the electronic prop was unavailable for the rehearsal period, Leeson got down on his hands and knees and physically ran around the rehearsal room acting as K9.
His voice for the character was so successful that the producer Graham Williams decided to make the character a regular and put Leeson on contract to provide the voice.
Leeson would stay with the series for the next two years, appearing on screen as the character Dugeen in the story The Power of Kroll, a story where K-9 does not appear. He left at the end of The Armageddon Factor, fearing that he would lose work if he remained firmly off-screen.
The character of K-9 remained in the series, voiced by David Brierley for season 17, but for season 18, Leeson was back behind the microphone, guiding the character until it was written out at the end of the 1981 story Warriors' Gate.
K-9 and Leeson would be back at the end of the year in the spin-off starring Elisabeth Sladen, K-9 and Company and in the 20th Anniversary special The Five Doctors. In 2006, when Russell T. Davies was writing an episode, School Reunion, dealing with the return of Sarah Jane Smith, he also brought back John Leeson as K-9. Over the next 15 years, Leeson would reprise his portrayal of K-9 on many occasions, including in The Sarah Jane Adventures, the K-9 series and many Big Finish audio adventures.
Away from Doctor Who, John Leeson made many memorable appearances on British television, including roles in Blake's 7, Jigsaw, Crown Court, The Barretts of Wimpole Street, Minder, Vanity Fair and Doctors.
John Leeson died peacefully earlier today after a short
illness. He is survived by his wife Judy Griffiths and their son, filmaker Guy
Ducker
Actor
Sir Sherlock
Doctor John Watson
ReleasedPodcast Series
2026
1 episode
K9: TimeQuake
K9
In Development
Doctor Who: Target Novelisation Audiobooks (2005)
Doctor Who: Target Novelisation Audiobooks
6.6
Podcast Series
K9Narrator (voice)
2011–2026
17 episodes
Tom Baker and John Leeson in Sir Sherlock (2026)
Sir Sherlock
Podcast Series
Doctor John Watson
2026
3 episodes
Doctor Who: Christmas (2025)
Doctor Who: Christmas
5.5
Podcast Series
K9 (voice)
2025
1 episode
Doctor Who: The Fourth Doctor Adventures (2012)
Doctor Who: The Fourth Doctor Adventures
8.2
Podcast Series
K9MachinaTollivun (voice) ...
2013–2025
38 episodes
Smith & Sullivan (2025)
Smith & Sullivan
Podcast Series
K9 (voice)
2025
3 episodes
Doctor Who: Classic Doctors New Monsters (2016)
Doctor Who: Classic Doctors New Monsters
7.8
Podcast Series
K9 (voice)
2025
1 episode
Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor Adventures (2016)
Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor Adventures
9.0
Podcast Series
K9Kent NovemAxos (voice)
2022
3 episodes
The Eighth of March (2019)
The Eighth of March
5.1
Podcast Series
K9 (voice)
2022
1 episode
Doctor Who: Audio Annuals (2017)
Doctor Who: Audio Annuals
Podcast Series
Narrator (voice)
2021
2 episodes
Doctor Who: The Lost Stories (2009)
Doctor Who: The Lost Stories
6.8
Podcast Series
K9 (voice)
2021
1 episode
The Diary of River Song (2015)
The Diary of River Song
7.6
Podcast Series
K9Simmons (voice)
2021
1 episode
Doctor Who: You Can't Run Forever (2014)
Doctor Who: You Can't Run Forever
TV Mini Series
K-9
2015–2016
2 episodes
Elizabeth Banks, Tom Kane, and Troy Baker in Lego Dimensions
(2015)
Lego Dimensions
7.7
Video Game
K-9 (voice)
2015
Doctor Who: The Novel Adaptations (2012)
Doctor Who: The Novel Adaptations
6.5
Podcast Series
K9Zodaal (voice)
2015
3 episodes
Blake's 7: The Liberator Chronicles (2012)
Blake's 7: The Liberator Chronicles
Podcast Series
Pasco (voice)
2015
1 episode
Doctor Who: The Monthly Adventures (1999)
Doctor Who: The Monthly Adventures
8.0
Podcast Series
K-9VirusComputer (voice)
2003–2014
2 episodes
Tom Baker, Lalla Ward, and Paul Jones in Doctor Who and the
Shada Man (2013)
Doctor Who and the Shada Man
6.5
Video
K9 (voice)
2013
Paul McGann, Colin Baker, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, and
Sylvester McCoy in The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot (2013)
The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot
8.5
TV Movie
K9 (voice)
2013
Gallifrey (2004)
Gallifrey
8.7
Podcast Series
K9 Mk IIK9Cardinal Tallan (voice) ...
2004–2013
18 episodes
Pointless Celebrities (2010)
Pointless Celebrities
6.4
TV Series
K-9 (voice)
2013
1 episode
Elisabeth Sladen and David Tennant in The Sarah Jane
Adventures (2007)
The Sarah Jane Adventures
7.5
TV Series
Voice of K9K-9
2007–2010
12 episodes
John Leeson in K9 (2009)
K9
5.3
TV Series
K9 (voice)
2009–2010
26 episodes
Rebels Without a Clue (2010)
Rebels Without a Clue
8.0
Shopkeeper
2010
Doctor Who: The Companion Chronicles (2007)
Doctor Who: The Companion Chronicles
7.6
Podcast Series
K9Holland (voice)
2010
1 episode
Christopher Eccleston, Peter Capaldi, David Tennant, Matt
Smith, and Jodie Whittaker in Doctor Who (2005)
Doctor Who
8.5
TV Series
K-9 (voice)
2006–2008
2 episodes
Barry Chuckle and Paul Chuckle in ChuckleVision (1987)
ChuckleVision
7.2
TV Series
Viscount
2007
1 episode
Mwaka Mudenda, Lindsey Russell, Adam Beales, and Richie
Driss in Blue Peter (1958)
Blue Peter
6.5
TV Series
K-9 (voice)
1977–2006
3 episodes
Dead Ringers (2002)
Dead Ringers
7.6
TV Series
K9 (voice)
2003
1 episode
Doctor Who: Shada (2003)
Doctor Who: Shada
7.6
TV Mini Series
K9 (voice)
2003
6 episodes
Doctors (2000)
Doctors
4.5
TV Series
Alan Carmichael
2001
1 episode
Delusion (2000)
Delusion
7.3
Short
Businessman
2000
Longitude (2000)
Longitude
7.8
TV Mini Series
BBC Producer
2000
1 episode
Frances Grey and Natasha Little in Vanity Fair (1998)
Vanity Fair
7.7
TV Mini Series
Priest
1998
1 episode
Nicholas Courtney, Elisabeth Sladen, and Deborah Watling in
Downtime (1995)
Downtime
5.4
Video
Anthony the D.J.
1995
Jesse Birdsall, Craig McLachlan, and Alistair Robins in Bugs
(1995)
Bugs
7.0
TV Series
Harris
1995
1 episode
George Cole in Minder (1979)
Minder
7.8
TV Series
Passport Officer
1994
1 episode
Doctor Who: Dimensions in Time (1993)
Doctor Who: Dimensions in Time
4.8
TV Mini Series
K9 (voice)
1993
2 episodes
The Bill (1984)
The Bill
6.7
TV Series
Mr. Witchell
1993
1 episode
Jeremy Beadle in Beadle's About (1986)
Beadle's About
6.2
TV Series
CouncillorSecurity Guard 1Security Guard #1 ...
1986–1992
8 episodes
Search Out Science (1989)
Search Out Science
TV Series
K9 (voice)
1990
1 episode
Jonathan Hyde in Shadow of the Noose (1989)
Shadow of the Noose
8.2
TV Mini Series
Dickinson
1989
1 episode
Arthur Bostrom, Kirsten Cooke, Sue Hodge, Gorden Kaye,
Richard Marner, Vicki Michelle, Carmen Silvera, and Guy Siner in 'Allo 'Allo!
(1982)
'Allo 'Allo!
8.4
TV Series
Train's Cook
1989
1 episode
Paul McGann, Colin Baker, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, William
Hartnell, Sylvester McCoy, Jon Pertwee, and Patrick Troughton in Doctor Who
(1963)
Doctor Who
8.4
TV Series
Voice of K9K9Voice of K.9 ...
1977–1988
61 episodes
Whoops Apocalypse (1987)
Whoops Apocalypse
5.9
TV Interviewer
1987
Tucker's Luck (1983)
Tucker's Luck
6.7
TV Series
Photographer
1985
1 episode
Michael Gambon and Robin McCallum in Oscar (1985)
Oscar
6.8
TV Series
Clerk of Arraign
1985
1 episode
The Brief (1984)
The Brief
6.9
TV Series
Ian Mallet
1984
1 episode
The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1982)
The Barretts of Wimpole Street
7.8
TV Movie
Henry Barrett
1982
John Leeson and Elisabeth Sladen in K-9 and Company (1981)
K-9 and Company
6.1
TV Movie
K-9 (voice)
1981
Ronnie Corbett in Sorry! (1981)
Sorry!
6.7
TV Series
Victor
1981
3 episodes
Martin Jarvis and Diane Keen in Rings on Their Fingers
(1978)
Rings on Their Fingers
6.1
TV Series
Mr. Simmonds
1979
2 episodes
Nigel Davenport, Peter Egan, and Bosco Hogan in Prince
Regent (1979)
Prince Regent
7.7
TV Mini Series
Military tailor
1979
1 episode
The World About Us (1967)
The World About Us
8.0
TV Series
Schoolmaster
1979
1 episode
Janet Ellis, Adrian Hedley, Sylvester McCoy, and David
Rappaport in Jigsaw (1979)
Jigsaw
7.2
TV Series
JiggPterryBiggum (voice)
1979
1 episode
Blake's 7 (1978)
Blake's 7
8.0
TV Series
ToisePasco
1978–1979
2 episodes
Tarka the Otter (1979)
Tarka the Otter
6.8
Secretary of Hunt
1979
Don Henderson, Diane Keen, Peter Sallis, and Don Warrington
in Crown Court (1972)
Crown Court
7.3
TV Series
Rev. Claude Pacey-Dunstan
1977
3 episodes
Lynette Davies in The Foundation (1977)
The Foundation
7.6
TV Series
Brian Harman
1977
1 episode
Frank Windsor in Headmaster (1977)
Headmaster
6.8
TV Series
Smart
1977
1 episode
Helen Mirren and Robert Hardy in Private Affairs (1975)
Private Affairs
TV Series
Clergyman
1975
1 episode
Comedy Playhouse (1961)
Comedy Playhouse
7.0
TV Series
HippyTuppy Glossop
1973–1974
2 episodes
Stanley Bates, Geoffrey Hayes, and Roy Skelton in Rainbow
(1972)
Rainbow
6.9
TV Series
Bungle
1972
50 episodes
My Wife Next Door (1972)
My Wife Next Door
7.2
TV Series
Delivery Man
1972
1 episode
Angela Down, Liza Goddard, and Susan Jameson in Take Three
Girls (1969)
Take Three Girls
7.8
TV Series
Assistant
1971
1 episode
On the House (1970)
On the House
5.4
TV Series
Young Man
1970
1 episode
The Doctors (1969)
The Doctors
6.4
TV Series
PC Grady
1970
1 episode
Clive Dunn, John Le Mesurier, and Arthur Lowe in Dad's Army
(1968)
Dad's Army
8.1
TV Series
the 1st Soldier
1969
1 episode
Rodney Bewes in Albert! (1969)
Albert!
5.8
TV Series
Clapper boy
1969
1 episode
The Spanish Farm
TV Series
Lt. Mansfield
1968
2 episodes
Crossroads (1964)
Crossroads
4.5
TV Series
Henri de Burgoyne
1967–1968
6 episodes
Additional Crew
Hannah Hauxwell in Too Long a Winter (1973)
Too Long a Winter
8.3
TV Movie
helicopter pilot
1973
Mastermind (1972)
Mastermind
6.3
TV Series
question writer
1972–1997
Soundtrack
John Leeson and Elisabeth Sladen in K-9 and Company (1981)
K-9 and Company
6.1
TV Movie
performer: "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"
(uncredited)
1981
Thanks
Helena Bonham Carter, Alison Elliott, and Linus Roache in
The Wings of the Dove (1997)
The Wings of the Dove
7.1
special thanks
1997
Self
TV/Film Podcast UK
Podcast Series
Self
2023
1 episode
Surge of Power: Doctor Who Tribute (2020)
Surge of Power: Doctor Who Tribute
5.4
Self
2020
Time Space Visualiser IV (2020)
Time Space Visualiser IV
Video
Self
2020
Gallifrey Stands (2014)
Gallifrey Stands
Podcast Series
Self - Special Guest
2019
1 episode
Please Be Seated
Podcast Series
Self - Guest
2018
1 episode
Pointless Celebrities (2010)
Pointless Celebrities
6.4
TV Series
Self - Contestant
2017
1 episode
When Kids TV Goes Horribly Wrong (2017)
When Kids TV Goes Horribly Wrong
4.8
TV Movie
Self - Actor, Original Bungle
2017
70s: The Best of Bad TV
4.2
TV Movie
Self - Original BungleSelf - Voice of Doctor Who Dog K9Self
- Voice of Jigg
2015
80's: The Best of Bad TV (2015)
80's: The Best of Bad TV
5.0
TV Movie
Self
2015
Ian Cullen and Toby Hadoke in Who's Round (2013)
Who's Round
8.1
Podcast Series
Self (voice)
2014
1 episode
Dara Ó Briain and Brian Cox in Stargazing Live: Back to
Earth (2012)
Stargazing Live: Back to Earth
8.2
TV Series
Self - K-9 (voice, uncredited)
2013–2014
5 episodes
Doctor Who Live: The Afterparty (2013)
Doctor Who Live: The Afterparty
6.1
TV Special
Self - K9 (voice)
2013
Doctor Who: Tales from the TARDIS (2013)
Doctor Who: Tales from the TARDIS
8.4
TV Movie
Self - Voice of K-9
2013
Colin Baker, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Sylvester McCoy,
David Tennant, and Matt Smith in Doctor Who: The Doctors Revisited (2013)
Doctor Who: The Doctors Revisited
8.2
TV Mini Series
Self
2013
1 episode
My Life (2010)
My Life
7.4
TV Series
Self - K-9 (voice)
2013
1 episode
Celebrity Eggheads (2008)
Celebrity Eggheads
5.5
TV Series
Self - Contestant
2010
1 episode
Sidekick Stories
TV Movie
Self
2010
Comic Relief 2009
7.0
TV Special
Self - K-9 (voice)
2009
The Justin Lee Collins Show (2009)
The Justin Lee Collins Show
5.0
TV Series
Self - Guest
2009
1 episode
All Aboard the Starliner: The Making of 'Full Circle'
7.4
Video
SelfSelf - Voice of K.9
2009
The Dreaming
6.8
Video
SelfSelf - Voice of K9
2009
The Vampire Lovers: The Making of 'State of Decay'
6.3
Video
Self
2009
Out of Time
Video
SelfSelf - K9
2008
Top 50 Showbiz Comebacks
TV Special
Self
2008
Dreams and Fantasy
Video
Self
2008
Celebration (2008)
Celebration
6.8
Video
Self
2008
A Matter of Time
8.2
Video
Self
2007
Getting Blood from the Stones
Video
SelfSelf - K9 (voice)
2007
Parrot Fashion
Video
Self
2007
Anne Robinson in The Weakest Link (2000)
The Weakest Link
5.6
TV Series
Self - K-9 (voice, as K9)
2007
1 episode
David Tennant in Doctor Who Confidential (2005)
Doctor Who Confidential
8.0
TV Series
Self
2006
1 episode
Top 50 Greatest Celebrity Animals
8.4
TV Movie
Self
2005
Ultimate Sci-Fi Top 10 (2004)
Ultimate Sci-Fi Top 10
8.1
TV Mini Series
Self
2004
A New Beginning
8.3
Video
SelfSelf - Voice of K9
2004
Bruce Forsyth in The Generation Game (1971)
The Generation Game
6.6
TV Series
Self - K9Self - Bungle (voice)
1978–2001
3 episodes
Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Jon Pertwee, and Patrick Troughton
in Longleat 83: The Greatest Show in the Galaxy (2001)
Longleat 83: The Greatest Show in the Galaxy
8.9
Video
Self - Presenter
2001
Bob Baker in K9 Unleashed (2000)
K9 Unleashed
7.1
Video
Self
2000
Eamonn Andrews in This Is Your Life (1955)
This Is Your Life
6.4
TV Series
Self
2000
1 episode
Katy Manning in Where on Earth Is... Katy Manning Because
She'd Really Like to Know! (1998)
Where on Earth Is... Katy Manning Because She'd Really Like
to Know!
5.8
Video
Self
1998
Myth Makers Vol. 7: Myth Runner (1987)
Myth Makers Vol. 7: Myth Runner
Video
Self
1987
The Great Egg Race (1979)
The Great Egg Race
7.7
TV Series
Self
1985
1 episode
Janet Ellis, Adrian Hedley, Sylvester McCoy, and David
Rappaport in Jigsaw (1979)
Jigsaw
7.2
TV Series
Self - JiggSelf - PterrySelf - Biggum (voice)
1979–1983
31 episodes
The Computer Programme (1982)
The Computer Programme
7.3
TV Series
Self - K9 (voice)
1982
1 episode
General Studies (1976)
General Studies
TV Series
Self - Narrator (voice)
1982
1 episode
Meeting Point
TV Series
Self
1965
1 episode
Archive Footage
Harriet Fettis and Henry Fettis in Sarah Jane Investigates
(2016)
Sarah Jane Investigates
TV Mini Series
K9 (archive sound)
2016
1 episode
Being a Girl (2013)
Being a Girl
6.2
Video
Self - K-9 (archive footage, voice, uncredited)
2013
The Science of Doctor Who (2012)
The Science of Doctor Who
7.9
TV Movie
Self - K-9 (archive footage, voice, uncredited)
2012
Who Peter: Partners in Time - 1963-1989 (2010)
Who Peter: Partners in Time - 1963-1989
8.6
Video
Self - K9 (archive footage, voice)
2010
Lalla's Wardrobe: A Frockumentary
Video
Voice of K9 (archive footage, uncredited)
2009
Philip Madoc: A Villain for All Seasons
6.1
Video
Self - Dugeen (archive footage)
2007
There's Something About Mary
6.7
Video
Self - K9 (archive footage, voice)
2007
Ultimate Sci-Fi Quiz (2006)
Ultimate Sci-Fi Quiz
4.9
Video Game
K-9 (archive footage, uncredited)
2006
Tom Baker in Doctor Who: The Tom Baker Years (1992)
Doctor Who: The Tom Baker Years
8.1
Video
Self - K9 (archive footage, voice)
1992
Paul McGann, Colin Baker, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, William
Hartnell, Sylvester McCoy, Jon Pertwee, and Patrick Troughton in Doctor Who
(1963)
Doctor Who
8.4
TV Series
K9 (archive footage, voice, uncredited)
1981
1 episode
Bruce Forsyth in The Generation Game (1971)
The Generation Game
6.6
TV Series
Self - K9 (archive footage, voice)
1978
1 episode
