2. Elisabeth Sladen Wasnt Meant To Be Sarah Jane Smith
Back in 1973 after Katy Manning left Doctor Who, Barry Letts started auditions for a new companion. April Walker auditioned and Letts gave her the part, however, on meeting Jon Pertwee, Letts realised that they had no chemistry. Pertwee agreed and Walker was sacked but was paid for the whole series that she would have done. If Walker had stayed than Sarah Jane would have been a very different character. Walkers role was hinted at but not discovered until 2012. The identity was known by several people but was not revealed until research began on The Invasions of The Dinosaurs DVD. Walker was at the time of her audition best known for comic roles, guest starring in Fawlty Towers, Terry and June and The Morecombe and Wise Show. Sladen suggested that Walker was sacked due to the fact that Pertwee like smaller, younger women who were less confident so that he could psychically impose on them, rather like a mother hen. Walker was the exact opposite being tall, older (about 30) and very confident.