Time Lord show is Who’s who of faith

01 Nov 2013 One of Britain's most popular TV shows ever should be recognised for its contribution to the UK's religious culture, according to a University of Manchester academic. Dr Andrew Crome, says Doctor Whowhich is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary next month (23 November) - has given its fans a much wider of understanding of many religious traditions. The lecturer in the History of Modern Christianity, and Dr Who fan, has edited a book on the cultural legacy of the programme, published by Darton, Longman and Todd to mark the anniversary. Dr Crome has also organised a 'Religion and Dr Who day' on 2 November, with Doctor Who audio writer and Church of England minister Caroline Symcox as keynote speaker. Cultural commentators from across the world will be attending. According to Dr Crome, Buddhism has been a strong theme, especially in the first twenty or so years of the show. Producer Barry Letts, a Buddhist who died in 2009, regularly referred to his religion: For example, the episode in which Jon Pertwee's Doctor regenerated into Tom Baker was based in a Tibetan Buddhist meditation centre Writer Russell T. Davies, who revived the show in 2005 promotes atheism in his writing, says the lecturer.