17 July 1925: birth of Hugh David, who directed The Highlanders (1966-67) and Fury from the Deep (1968). According to legend he was also approached as an actor about playing the role of the Doctor back in 1963, but turned it down.
ii) broadcast anniversaries
17 July 1965: broadcast of ‘Battle of Wits’, third episode of what we now call The Time Meddler. The Monk is luring the Viking fleet to attack; and Steven and Vicki discover, to their amazement, that he has his own Tardis.
Here’s the latest word on mermaids.