Fewer episodes of the show were made during the 22nd series, but they were now 45 minutes long instead of the previous 25. Most likely in an attempt to halt the diminishing audience numbers a number of memorable villains were also brought back. The series kicked off with the Cybermen, and would also feature the Daleks (again joined by Davros), and the Master. The Sontarans also reappeared in the Two Doctors, which also saw a return appearance from Patrick Troughton over fifteen years since his last regular episode. Not that all of these helped that much, as the BBC announced that the show would be cancelled, and an outraged fan campaign could only limit the damage to an eighteen month period of hiatus.
1986
Returning again with another attempt to shake up the format, the 23rd series was essentially one long serial. Although split into four separate chapters, The Trial Of A Timelord saw the Doctor again put on trial by his people. The prosecutor in this case though was the Valeyard, a sort of inbetween incarnations form of the Doctor described by the Master as "an amalgamation of the darker side of the Doctor's nature". Guest stars in this series also included Bond Girl Honor Blackman, and all round English legend Brian Blessed. Controller of BBC One Michael Grade still disliked the show however, and criticised it of becoming too violent and farcical. In the biggest shake up effort to renew the show, Colin Baker became the only actor to be fired from the role of the Doctor.
1987
Percy James Patrick Kent-Smith, or Sylvester McCoy to his friends, began his association with the show by portraying the sixth Doctor in a regeneration sequence that merely involved wearing a wig and facing away from the camera. Also introduced in this year was Ace, and the show's new line up became one of the shows most popular combinations. Not only did the producers bring some mystery back to the character who was now in his seventh incarnation, and Ace was not only a strong and confident explosives expert in comparison to so many other screaming female companions who had traveled in the TARDIS, but her central relationship with the Doctor (who she continually called Professor) was one of protegee and mentor, as opposed to being along for the ride.