P is for... Priam

King of of Troy at the time of its decade-long siege by the Greek forces commanded by Agamemnon. A world-weary figure, he was often disappointed and frustrated by his children. Whilst he admired the bravery of eldest son Hector, he despaired of the cowardly and effete Paris - the man who had led to this conflict after running away with Helen, wife of King Menelaus and sister-in-law to Agamemnon.

Daughter Cassandra usually squabbled with Paris, when she wasn't complaining about being disrespected and having her prophesies ignored.

Paris brought the TARDIS into the city, believing it to be a gift from their god Poseidon, and Cassandra naturally denounced it as an evil omen. Priam reluctantly agreed it should be burned - which prompted the Doctor's companion Vicki to emerge from it. Priam took to her, and had her change her name to the more Trojan sounding Cressida.

When it became clear that she knew Steven Taylor - suspected to be a Greek Spy - Priam had her thrown into jail. She had suggested to the Trojans that she also had the gift of prophesy (knowing as she did of future events) and had to prove herself or face being burned as a witch. Priam's youngest son, Troilus, had fallen in love with her in the interim.

The old king allowed himself to be swayed by Paris when a large wooden horse was apparently left behind by the departing Greek army, and had it brought into Troy - another gift from the gods.

The warrior Odysseus was among those hiding inside - along with the Doctor who had reluctantly proposed the plan - and he slew Priam and Paris, and took Cassandra captive.

Played by: Max Adrian. Appearances: The Myth Makers (1965)

• According to myth, Priam had 50 sons and many daughters. He was killed, aged 80, not by Odysseus but by Achilles' son Neoptolemus.
• Oddly, Priam as presented here does not bat an eyelid when favoured son and heir Hector is killed. In Homer's Iliad he is grief-stricken and goes to Achilles to beg for the return of Hector's body.
• Adrian (1903 - 1973) was a regular collaborator with writer Donald Cotton and had performed in a number of his radio productions. Cotton was therefore able to secure his talents for this story.
• It was often claimed that William Hartnell refused to work with Adrian as he was gay and Jewish, but the Doctor and Priam simply never share any scenes together.
• To many in Britain, Adrian is best known for playing patriarch Ludicrus Sextus in Up Pompeii, opposite Frankie Howerd.
• Horror fans will recall him from the vampire segment in Dr Terror's House of Horrors, opposite Donald Sutherland.
• He was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, and an original member of the National Theatre, appearing as Polonius in its very first production (Hamlet being played by Peter O'Toole). He played the Dauphin in Olivier's film of Henry V, and Alec Guinness and Olivier read the lessons at his memorial service.