Richard Ferris

 was an elderly man who died and was brought to Carnon Manor.

Richard and his wife Jean had lived at the house for decades. They welcomed new arrivals to Carnon Manor. They would serve them tea and explain that anyone who arrived at the house had just died. They believed that they were favoured and that the creature from the basement would not come for them.

When Lord Carnon informed the house's inhabitants that he would set them free if they killed the Fifth Doctor, Richard and Jean attacked him with a kettle, belt and knitting needles. They were stopped by Patricia Hopkins. (PROSE: The Eternity Contract)