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The Doctor Who Appreciation Society has announced The Terrance Dicks Award For Writers.

The award is in memory of the much loved, and highly influential, writer who passed away in 2019. Terrance captured the imagination of a generation of children and young adults, many of whom are at the forefront of modern television.  Mark Gatiss said; “Very hard to express what Terrance Dicks meant to a whole generation. A brilliant TV professional, a funny and generous soul. Most of all, though, an inspirational writer who took so many of us on unforgettable journeys into space and time.”

The award will recognise those whose writing across screen, audio, book and magazine have contributed to, and enhanced, the worlds of Doctor Who.

The inaugural award, which is in the bequest of the Society Executive, will be presented by Elsa Dicks, Terrance’s wife, at the sold out Capitol convention being staged at the Crowne Plaza, London-Gatwick across the weekend of 2nd/3rd April.

Tony Jordan, organiser of the event, said; “Terrance was adored by fans across the world as well as being a great friend of the Society. In 2010 he received the Society’s ‘Outstanding Contribution to Doctor Who’ Award, and it’s lovely to now have an Award in his venerable name. Never was anyone more deserving”

Elsa Dicks, Terrance’s wife, said; ” The hallmark of Terrance’s writing was his simple dramatic story-telling. No sentences full of long words, adjectives and flourishes. He was his own critic, re-reading what he had written and paring it back if needed. He would say if you want to be a writer, be a reader first, The books you enjoy will colour your writing.”

The award itself is a statue of The Master, as portrayed by Roger Delgado, that has been crafted by Gary Glover of Mooncrest Models. The character is Terrance’s most famous creation, and continues to feature in Doctor Who half a century after his first appearance in the Jon Pertwee story “Terror of the Autons”.