Young Imogen Bickford-Smith became best known to Doctor Who fans as star of the classic Tom Baker adventure "Underworld", the character Tala almost replacing then-Who girl Louise Jameson as the then-current Doctor Who companion.

'Imogen had star quality,' producer Philip Hinchcliffe is quoted as saying. 'She was obviously bound for bigger things, hence we thought that her larger-than-life personality might overshadow that of our star, Mr Baker.'

Imogen Bickford-Smith was born Fanny Clitt in 1951, and trained at the Royal Shakespeare Company. She hit the big time when she appeared in "Are you Being Served?" in 1972. This was followed up by a role as "Girlfriend" in "Fawlty Towers" three years later, a part that didn't actually require any lines, but Bickford-Smith does run between rooms in a manner which employs her professional training to maximum effect.

It was then that Bickford-Smith appeared in "Doctor Who" and her agent hailed her as a new regular. Sadly it was not to be, but Doctor Who's loss was "Minders" gain and "Girl in Disco" was born. Bickford-Smith never worked again.

Or, at least, not until five years later when she appeared in an episode of "Miss Marple".

Imogen Bickford-Smith now works in "TSB" and lives alone. She prefers a reclusive life, and will shy away from the Doctor Who convention circuit as soon as someone invites her to join it.