On This Day... 22nd November

The Android Invasion got under way today in 1975 - one of only two stories written by Terry Nation that did not involve the Daleks. 

In 1980, Terrance Dicks' State of Decay finally saw the (twi)light, with its first episode. An earlier version of this story was supposed to have opened Season 15.

Trial of a Time Lord reached the end of the Vervoid segment with Episode 12 today in 1986.

One year before, Colin Baker had led most of the companions and a few ex-Doctors out of the TARDIS to hand over a cheque to Terry Wogan in 1985's Children in Need.

The series was about to end, though we didn't know it at the time, as the final story of the final season - Survival - got underway today in 1989.

As part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations, two Doctor Who themed programmes were shown on Friday 22nd November 2013. First of all, Matthew Sweet presented the main new documentary, which was a Culture Show special titled "Me, You and Doctor Who". Later, Graham Norton had Doctors David Tennant and Matt Smith amongst his guests.

The anniversary of note today is the death of Verity Lambert, in 2007, at the age of 71. Without her, Doctor Who would probably have lasted a mere 13 episodes - 6 months at a push. Lambert was the first producer of the show, brought over from ABC TV by her old boss Sydney Newman. Newman hated the titles, the music and the Daleks. Lambert fought to retain all three, and they're still emblematic of the series. She remained as producer until the beginning of Season 3, when she handed over to John Wiles.

Lambert later became a significant figure in the world of TV drama, originating many well-known filmed series (and the odd misfire, such as the BBC soap Eldorado).

She lived long enough to see Doctor Who successfully return under Russell T Davies. The 2007 Christmas Special - Voyage of the Damned - carried a dedication to her.