Doctor Who writer Terrance Dicks who had a long-standing association with the BBC sci-fi series has died at the age of 84, his agent said today.
The author and scriptwriter began working on the series in 1968, soon becoming the head script editor on the show.
The writers and script editor worked with Barry Letts to drive the series ahead during the BBC producer's five series at the helm.
Dicks made an extensive contribution to the much-loved world of Doctor Who and the Daleks
Dicks would later go on to produce Target novelisations of Doctor Who which were popular with fans, and stage adaptations of the programme.
Outside his extensive contribution to the much-loved world of Doctor Who, Dicks also penned works of children's fiction.
Dicks produced Target novelisations of Doctor Who, including Revenge of the Judoon
His books spanned stories about Canadian Mounties, Sherlock Holmes, and a golden retriever in The Adventures Of Goliath.
Many authors have credited Dicks with inspiring them to read and write, and Neil Gaiman led the tributes.
Scottish writer Gaiman said Dicks prompted him to want to pen a Doctor Who episode of his own.
On Twitter, the novelist said: 'I remember reading his and Malcolm Hulke's book THE MAKING OF DOCTOR WHO when I was eleven or twelve, and deciding then that I would one day write an episode of Doctor Who, because they had shown me how.
RIP Terrance Dicks.'
The novelist did go on the pen episodes of the series, and fellow writers on the show have also paid tribute to the long-time master of Doctor Who scripts.
Writer James Moran wrote: 'Terrance Dicks was involved with so many episodes and novelisations of Doctor Who, I think he was actually a Time Lord himself.
'So he's not dead, he's just regenerated.
One of the people most responsible for my childhood (and continuing childhood) love of the show. RIP.'
Actor Dan Starkey, who has appeared in numerous episodes of Doctor Who, said: 'My love of recreational reading came from devouring the many books of Terrance Dicks What a shame.'
Writer Jenny Colgan wrote online: 'Terrance Dicks helped more children (especially boys) develop a lifelong love of reading than almost anyone else who's ever lived.
I don't think he even got an OBE.'