Chris Parsons

Chris Parsons was a post-graduate student of Cambridge University and a colleague of Professor Chronotis in 1979.

Early life
Chris's year of birth differed by accounts; while one account placed his birth year as 1952, (PROSE: Shada) Chronotis told the Eighth Doctor that Chris was born in 1957, (WC: Shada) but told the Fourth Doctor that he was instead born in 1956. (HOMEVID: Shada)

In 1959, Chris was watching cricket with his grandfather at his country house, which would remain a pleasant memory for him, even though he didn't think of it much. He often took trips to London in his youth, where he saw a number of police boxes.

Education
Chris was educated at Bristol Grammar School, where he won the seventh Bristol Scout Pack Award for Orienteering in 1966. He began studying at St John's College in Cambridge in 1970 on a physics course, (PROSE: Shada) graduating in either 1978 with an honours degree in chemistry (WC: Shada) or in 1975 with an honours degree in physics. He took to introducing himself as "Chris Parsons, Bristol Grammar School and John's" — which led to the Fourth Doctor calling him "Bristol". (PROSE: Shada)

The Shada conundrum
While doing post-graduate studies in sigma particles, he inadvertently borrowed The Worshipful and Ancient Law of Gallifrey from the Professor's library while looking for books on carbon dating. Surprised at the unusual properties the book exhibited, Chris attempted to analyse it with the aid of Clare Keightley. They later helped the Doctor defeat Skagra's plans. (WC: Shada) According to one account, the adventure on Shada ended with Chris and Clare proclaiming their love for one another, and they were soon engaged to be married. (PROSE: Shada)

Behind the scenes

 * The Doctor's calling Chris "Bristol" was an unscripted ad-lib by Tom Baker.