Dave Martin, a renowned English author, made a significant impact in the world of literature and television. Born and raised in England, Martin's humble beginnings as a "working-class grammar school boy" belied his future success. He embarked on his writing career relatively late in life, having first pursued various occupations such as building pylons, working in hospitals, and advertising. Martin's passion for the stage also led him to work as a stagehand at the prestigious Bristol Old Vic.
In 1968, Martin formed a lasting friendship with animator Bob Baker, which would prove to be a pivotal moment in his career. Their collaborative efforts resulted in the creation of numerous television screenplays, including eight episodes of the iconic Doctor Who franchise. Their most notable contribution to the series was the creation of the villainous Time Lord Omega, initially named "OHM" as a nod to the character's opposing nature to the Doctor.
Martin and Baker, affectionately referred to as the "Bristol Boys" by producers Barry Letts and Terrance Dicks, penned scripts for a total of 34 episodes, spanning the Jon Pertwee-Tom Baker era of Doctor Who from 1971 to 1979. The idea for the mechanical dog K-9, a beloved character in the series, was inspired by Martin's personal loss when his own dog was killed by a car. Martin went on to write four books for young audiences featuring a robotic hound.
After the duo parted ways at the end of the decade, Baker went on to achieve individual success as a writer for the animated Wallace & Gromit adventures, while Martin authored several crime novels. Martin's legacy continued even after his passing, as he was credited as co-creator of the spin-off series K9, which premiered two years after his death in 2009.
