1961

April

 * 12 - Yuri Gagarin of the Soviet Union becomes the first human to travel into space, at least officially (DW: The Seeds of Death).

Unknown dates

 * UNIT's predecessor, Great Britain's Intrusion Countermeasures Group is formed. Group leader Ian Gilmore begins training his men (MA: Who Killed Kennedy).
 * Peter Tracey is born (KAC: K-9 and Company).

January

 * 7 - The Avengers debuts on British television. The series was devised by Sydney Newman, who would next go on to create Doctor Who. During its run (which would last until 1969), the series would play host to many guest actors who would also appear on Doctor Who, and many Doctor Who scriptwriters would also write for 'The Avengers', including Terrance Dicks and Malcolm Hulke.

February

 * 19 - Susan Baker is born.

April

 * 3 - Edward Highmore is born.

May

 * 17 - Corey Johnson, who played Henry van Statten in DW: Dalek, is born in America.
 * 20 - Owen Teale is born.

September

 * 7 - Jamie Bradley is born.

October

 * 3 - A for Andromeda debuts on the BBC. This seven-part science fiction serial is considered a prime inspiration for the BBC considering the development of an ongoing serialised science fiction series, which eventually becomes Doctor Who.

November

 * 28 - Martin Clunes is born.

December

 * 12 - Sarah Sutton, who played companion Nyssa, is born.
 * 19 - Matthew Waterhouse, who played companion Adric, is born at Hertford, England, UK.

Unknown dates

 * David J. Howe is born.
 * Sean Blowers is born.
 * Steven Moffat, the writer and Doctor Who Executive Producer and head writer is born in Paisley, Scotland.