Doctor Who: 15 Real Historical Characters The Doctor Has Met

15. Marco Polo

The meeting with the first historical character that the Doctor visited in his adventures in time and space is sadly one that viewers can no longer see. Unfortunately the only prints of the seven part episode titled 'Marco Polo' were burned in the notorious BBC fires that saw so much iconic Who footage destroyed forever.

While much has been done to restore the story to life through audio recordings and original set photography, it's nothing short of a travesty that so many episodes are gone. The disappointment is increased by the fact that this was only the Doctor's fourth ever adventure and therefore holds an important place in the programme's history.

The story itself sees the Doctor, his granddaughter and companions encounter Marco Polo on the Himalayas in the 13th century. The adventures see them meet other important historical figures such as Kublai Khan as they become involved in a battle of wills as villainous forces attempt to overthrow the Mongol Empire.

But just like the empire itself, the episode is now no more than a lost memory.