Eric Saward

Eric Saward (born December 1944) worked as a writer and, later, Script Editor, for Doctor Who during the 1980s.

Saward had a particular fondness for the Cybermen. He was known for writing stories that have good action throughout them and stories that connect the Doctor to important events in Earth's history.

Stories he wrote included:


 * The Visitation
 * Earthshock
 * Resurrection of the Daleks
 * Revelation of the Daleks

He also wrote the radio play Slipback.

He served as Script Editor from Time-Flight to the penultimate episode of Season 23 (The Ultimate Foe episode 1); he resigned his position due to a disagreement with producer John Nathan-Turner over the storyline (and particularly the ending) of episode 2 of The Ultimate Foe. Afterwards, he gave a notably scathing interview to Starburst magazine over his falling out with Nathan-Turner, and he became vocal in his criticism of Colin Baker's appointment as the Sixth Doctor.

Saward also wrote several Target novelisations, mostly based upon stories he wrote or contributed to. His novelisations were:


 * Doctor Who and the Visitation
 * The Twin Dilemma
 * Slipback
 * Attack of the Cybermen

Target Books attempted to secure an agreement that would have seen Saward's two Daleks serials novelised either by Saward himself or by others, but were unsuccessful. As a result they remain two of only a handful of stories never officially adapted. The 1989 publication of Saward's adaptation of Attack of the Cybermen actually post-dated his falling out with the Doctor Who production team by several years.