John Leeson, Doctor Who legend behind K9 voice and Dad's Army star, dies aged 83

John Leeson, the actor best known for voicing the iconic robot dog K9 in Doctor Who, has died at the age of 83.

The news was announced by Leeson's son, Guy Ducker, who posted on Facebook on Sunday 1 November: "I regret to announce the death of my father, John Ducker, a.k.a. John Leeson, at 3:03pm today after a summer of illness. The end was peaceful."

Leeson was born John Ducker, in Leicester in 1943, and went on to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). Following this, he built a long career across stage, television, radio and voice work.

He appeared in series such as Crossroads, Dad's Army and Rainbow, before being introduced as the voice of K9 in Doctor Who in the 1977 serial The Invisible Enemy, opposite Tom Baker's Fourth Doctor.

He reprised the role multiple times, including notable returns opposite David Tennant's Tenth Doctor, and in the 1981 spin-offs K9 and Company and The Sarah Jane Adventures.

He also has roles in shows including Blake's 7, Beadle's About, 'Allo 'Allo! and ChuckleVision, and recently played John Watson opposite Baker in a series of Sherlock Holmes audio dramas, titled Sir Sherlock.

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One of the first to pay tribute to Leeson was former Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies, who wrote in a post on Instagram: "John Leeson (1943-2026) The voice of K9, and a fine, fine actor. When we brought K9 back in 2006, there was no question that we’d ask John to provide the voice, it was impossible to imagine anyone else.

"And really, what a performance, what a character: a posh dog, uppity, haughty, wry, but somehow innocent too, and so funny. 'Maximum defence mode!' God he was good. Pitched perfectly so that kids could impersonate him. That’s not easy, that’s hell of a piece of acting. And he was wonderfully dedicated to that character for… gasp, six decades!

"He’d phone me up and chat sometimes - on the landline, I remember, those were the days. Including one time when he hadn’t been paid! But he was so gracious about it. A true gent, and a great loss. Sympathy to his family and friends. Good night, sir. Affirmative!"

Authors

James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.