John Leeson, Voice of K9 in Doctor Who, Dies Aged 83

Doctor Who TV is saddened to report that John Leeson, best known as the voice of K9 in Doctor Who, has died at the age of 83.

Leeson first brought the Doctor’s robotic canine companion to life in the 1977 story The Invisible Enemy, alongside Tom Baker’s Fourth Doctor. Originally intended as a temporary character, K9 became a popular member of the TARDIS crew, with Leeson’s distinctive voice helping to make him one of the programme’s most recognisable companions.

He continued to voice K9 throughout much of the Fourth Doctor’s era, later returning for the 1981 spin-off K9 and Company, the 20th anniversary special The Five Doctors, and the 2006 episode “School Reunion”, which reunited K9 with Elisabeth Sladen’s Sarah Jane Smith and introduced the character to a new generation of viewers.

Leeson also reprised the role in The Sarah Jane Adventures, the television series K9, and numerous Big Finish audio productions. His other Doctor Who credits included playing Dugeen in The Power of Kroll and providing a Dalek voice in Remembrance of the Daleks.

His son, filmmaker Guy Ducker, confirmed that Leeson died peacefully on Sunday, 1 November 2026, following a period of illness over the summer.

Born John Ducker in Leicester in 1943, Leeson trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and enjoyed a varied career across television, theatre and radio. Outside Doctor Who, his credits included Dad’s Army, Blake’s 7, Rainbow, ‘Allo ‘Allo!, The Bill and Doctors. He was also the original performer of Bungle in the children’s television series Rainbow.

Leeson is survived by his wife, Judy Griffiths, and their son, Guy Ducker.

His unmistakable voice and portrayal of K9 will remain a cherished part of Doctor Who history.