Colin's first entry into the amazing world of Doctor Who was in the Peter Davison serial "Arc Of Infinity". This story was notable for two other reasons: it featured the return of the Time Lord exile Omega and rare use of location filming took some of the cast to Amsterdam. Colin's role as Commander Maxil, a member of the Time Lords chancery guard, was a modest role that Colin took with great alacrity. As Colin explained in DWM #118:

"It was a smallish part, and my agent said, 'Do you want to do this ?' I happened to be free (actually I was working in the theatre, and it all fitted in rather nicely), so I said 'Yes, of course I'll do it,' and came along, and I had a very pleasant time playing this guard. I'm not an actor who's inclined to think 'Oh, that's a boring part, so I'll play it in a boring way.' I tend to think 'How can I spice it up a bit ?' I tend to perhaps give a little bit more than is required sometimes, in the belief that a director will always pull you back. So, I did make this guard into quite an interesting character, which was probably beyond it's requirements, and in fact I got a note from the producer, John Nathan-Turner, when he saw it ! Then the assistant floor manager on that particular show invited me to her wedding about two months later, and I went along with my wife, and John was there and Peter Davison. What I didn't know at that point was that Peter had told John he was leaving, so John was thinking in terms of who was going to be the next Doctor, and he says, (and modesty should prevent me from repeating this!), that I was witty, entertaining, and all those things on that particular day, and as he left he said to someone else, 'I think I have found my next Doctor.' "

Thus it was that a small-ish role in "Arc of Infinity" led to the casting of the sixth Doctor. An enjoyable romp, as it turned out both the past was celebrated and the future was glimpsed.

COLIN BAKER ONLINE RATING 6/10

The Maxil Show starring Commander Maxil and some other people

Anyone lost a handbag ?

Could actors with outrageously camp head gear, please leave now !

Die you blonde bimbo... or regenerate into someone rather handsome !!!

Arc Of Infinity is available on BBC DVD as part of the Time-Flight/Arc Of Infinity box set (Regions 2 & 4) and individually (Region 1).

An antimatter creature has crossed into normal space via a phenomenon known as the Arc of Infinity but needs to bond physically with a Time Lord in order to remain stable.

A traitor on Gallifrey has chosen the Doctor as the victim.