Obituaries: Kate O’Mara, Derek Martinus

Doctor Who TV would like to pay our respects to two former Doctor Who figures who have sadly passed this week.

Kate O’Mara

(10 August 1939 – 30 March 2014)

Actress Kate O’Mara passed aged 74.

O’Mara is best known to Whovians as the villainous Rani in The Mark of the Rani, Time and the Rani, and charity special Dimensions in Time.

Her agent said she died in a Sussex nursing home following a short illness.

He said: “A shining star has gone out and Kate will be dearly missed by all who knew and have worked with her.”

Derek Martinus

(4 April 1931 – 27 March 2014)

Classic Who director Derek Martinus died aged 82.

Martinus directed the following stories: Galaxy 4, Mission To The Unknown, The Tenth Planet, The Evil Of The Daleks, The Ice Warriors and Spearhead From Space.

His daughter Charlotta Martinus said: “He was a legend, just an absolute legend. He taught me how to love, live and laugh, he was just such an amazing man.”

RIP Kate O’Mara and Derek Martinus.