G is for... Guardian of the Doomsday Weapon

This diminutive being was the sole survivor of a super race which evolved on the planet Uxarieus. This race had developed a weapon powerful enough to create a nebula in space. However, radiation from the weapon led to the race degenerating - the Guardian being worshiped as a god and the weapon having priest attendants who carried out human sacrifices to it. The surface of Uxarieus became barren, and the city dwellers regressed to a primitive state. The Time Lords had a file on the weapon, which was stolen by the Master. When this was discovered, they sent the Doctor to the planet to prevent the Master from obtaining control over the device. Jo Grant was in the TARDIS with the Doctor when it suddenly became active and dematerialised. She was later abducted by Uxariean primitives and taken to the city to be sacrificed. The Doctor followed her and pleaded with the Guardian to let them go free. It agreed, on the condition that they never returned. However, the Master captured the Doctor and Jo and forced him to take him to the city, whilst holding Jo hostage in his TARDIS. The Master demanded control of the weapon, but the Doctor was able to convince the Guardian that the device would always be at risk of use by unscrupulous people. The Guardian elected to destroy the weapon, sacrificing itself to do so.

Played by: Norman Atkyns. Appearances: Colony In Space (1971).

• Atkyns returned to the series the following year, to play the Royal Navy fleet commander in The Sea Devils. It was pointed out on the DVD commentary for that story that the spectacles he wore were an error, as naval commanders had to have perfect vision. 
• To play the Guardian he had to lie on his front behind the puppet's throne, with his masked head sticking out of the throne's headboard.