Dr Who fan records dedication to new RNIB Talking Book about the Time Lord’s adventures
Aberdour resident and Dr Who fan, Matthew Nicholson, has been invited to record a dedication to an audiobook featuring the nation’s favourite Time Lord today.
Matthew (25), a wheelchair user, has cerebral palsy and sight problems. While he can watch the Doctor’s adventures on television, he relies on the Talking Books produced by the charity RNIB to enjoy them in book form.
“Most of the Dr Who books that have been written since David Tennant played the Doctor have been transcribed into audio and braille,” says Matthew, “except one by author Jenny T. Colgan entitled ‘In the Blood’.”
Matthew has actually met Jenny, who lives nearby. In 2017 he first approached her at a book-signing event at the Aberdour Festival and later mentioned the lack of people with disabilities in books. Jenny obliged by naming him as a character in her Dr Who book ‘The Christmas Invasion’!
“Last summer,” continues Matthew, “I met RNIB Scotland fundraiser Angela Preston in Kirkcaldy. We chatted about how much I love listening to RNIB Talking Books and I told her that I was a character in the ‘The Christmas Invasion’.
“We then talked about which book I would choose for Talking Books and how ‘In the Blood’ wasn’t yet available. Angela said she would see what she could do about that. And now it’s been transcribed!”
Matthew has been invited to record a dedication to the new Dr Who Talking Book today at RNIB Scotland’s transcription studio in Partick. In it he will say, “Huge thanks to Jenny, Angela and all at RNIB who make Talking Books happen”.
Dr Who returned to BBC television in 2005 after a 16-year absence. Thirteen actors have held the keys to the Tardis since the series began in 1963. So, who is Matthew’s favourite?
“No competition,” he insists. “David Tennant is the best Doctor!”
