What would Doctor Who be without regeneration? Well, it wouldn't be, to put it bluntly, and what was originally designed as a clever plot device to replace the show's leading actor has secured its ongoing legacy as the longest running sci-series in history. And thank God it did! Here's the one that started it all, from 1966, when William Hartnell shocked the nation by transforming into Patrick Troughton before their very eyes. And thus the precedent was set. Doctor Who was here to stay. Hurrah!
Dan Butler is the Doctor Who Editor at WhatCulture.com. When he isn't writing his own articles or editing other people's, he can be found trawling the internet for gifs of Steven Moffat laughing. Contact him via dan.butler@whatculture.co.uk.
