20 Doctor Who Facts That Will Blow Your Mind

Doctor Who has now been lighting up our screens for over 50 years (prolonged and unforgivable hiatuses not withstanding) and it's one of its unique selling points as a formidable fantasy franchise that it still possesses the power to shock us. It goes without saying that a show harbouring over half a century of honourable history is bound to have its fair share of mind blowing facts and trivia, especially one that has so heavily defined and inspired the reputable realms of British television. Every self confessed Doctor Who obsessee claims to be his greatest admirer but how much does even the world's biggest superfan know about the life and times of the universe's favourite Gallifreyan? Did you know, for example, that Elisabeth Sladen wasn't the BBC's first choice to play Sarah Jane Smith? And do you know that 1989 isn't the only time Doctor Who faced the axe? And which Oscar winning actress was initially offered the role of River Song? If you answered all of those questions with 'no', it looks like you've still got a lot to learn... Don't worry, though, because here's our list of 20 mind-blowing facts about the world's longest running sci-fi drama to see you on your way to achieving indisputable Whovian supremacy. Don't thank us, though. Thank the Doctor. Here's the one it's all about, after all...