Carole Ann Ford, who played the Doctor’s granddaughter Susan Foreman in the programme’s earliest stories, says she’d jump at the chance to return to Doctor Who opposite his successor.

Speaking to SFX magazine, Ford gave her thoughts on appearing alongside current Doctor Jodie Whittaker:

“Now there’s a thing. I have toyed with that: ‘Oh, Grandfa – ma!’ I think Jodie is fantastic! It’s a wonderful thing she’s doing. She does it fabulously well. And how it’s changed! We had to do what we did with thruppence, but they had some really big budgets. It’s amazing.”

The interview, in the current issue of SFX, ties in with the release of the well-received Susan’s War box set from Big Finish, which sees Ford, starring with William Russell as Ian once again, return to the role of Susan. This new set of stories starts with her return to Gaillifrey, having received a summons to do her bit in the Time War.

“I was delighted to do it, whether I was the lead or not. It’s always such a fun thing to work for Big Finish, because everybody there is wonderful to work with. The scripts are always good, and it’s just a joy. But to do something where I’ve got the title role – it’s super!”

Despite having struggled to avoid typecasting following her departure from Doctor Who, Ford has fond memories of her part in the programme’s early success, and of her on-screen grandfather William Hartnell:

“Well, Bill – from the very first – was very supportive. He took the part very much to heart, and he literally was very grandfatherly toward me. He couldn’t have been nicer and sweeter and easier to work with.”

Carol Ann Ford was back on BBC1 last weekend for an appearance on a special sci-fi and fantasy themed edition of popular quiz show Pointless Celebrities, where she was partnered with Sophie Aldred. The show is available on BBC iPlayer for a month.