10 REAL Mysteries That Would Make Great Doctor Who Episodes

Fourth Doctor serial The Talons of Weng-Chiang drew inspiration from the mystery of Jack the Ripper, but there's another Victorian Jack worthy of Doctor Who's attention.

The first sightings of Spring-heeled Jack were in 1837, with one reported by Mary Stevens, who had been assaulted by a strange figure with deathly cold claws on Clapham Common.

Jack was reportedly seen to jump over a wall that was nine feet high, earning his spring-heeled moniker. Stories spread throughout London, claiming that Spring-heeled Jack was either a ghost or the devil. Descriptions of this mysterious creature got even more outlandish over the years, with one woman in 1838 claiming he was able to breathe fire, and that his eyes were bright red.

Interestingly, Spring-heeled Jack wasn't just confined to old London town. Later reports were submitted from East Anglia and Northamptonshire, focusing on his devilish appearance and predilection for attacking coaches.

To avoid treading on the toes of Talons, a fog-bound horror story with the Doctor chasing Spring-heeled Jack around the UK could be incredibly atmospheric. The Victorian angle could also allow for the return of the Paternoster Gang, who have been conspicuously absent for the last ten years now, and who fans are still clamouring for to this day.

The description of Spring-heeled Jack's superpowers sounds distinctly otherworldly, so it would be very easy for Doctor Who to take the 'It's an alien!' angle, with Strax, Vastra, and Jenny along for the ride.