'Doctor Who' producer Lambert dies, 71

Verity Lambert, the first Doctor Who producer when the show launched in 1963, passed away aged 71 on November 22 after a long illness.

Throughout her career as a television drama producer, which earned her an OBE in 2002, she achieved a great deal of success in a male-dominated industry. Notable shows overseen by Lambert include Minder, Jonathan Creek and Rumpole of the Bailey. But it was her earlier success as Doctor Who's producer when the show began on November 23, 1963 that built her reputation, lasting two seasons in the role. The series quickly became a public institution and ran for 26 consecutive years.

Russell T Davies, executive producer of the revived time-travelling drama, paid tribute to Lambert: "There are a hundred people in Cardiff working on Doctor Who and millions of viewers, in particular many children, who love the programme that Verity helped create. This is her legacy and we will never forget that."

The BBC's controller of Fiction, Jane Tranter, also heaped praise upon Lambert, referring to her as a "total one off" and "madly inspirational".