'Doctor Who' was "ghosted" by the BBC after the 26th series aired two decades ago.
Sylvester McCoy
The iconic sci-fi show left screens in 1989 - including a TV film attempt to revive the series in 1996 - until the next full series aired in 16 years later with Christopher Eccleston as the new Time Lord, and former script editor Andrew Cartmel claimed the programme was never officially axed by bosses while Sylvester McCoy was in the lead role.
Speaking at a recent BFI event, he said: "People ask me about the cancellation... we weren't really cancelled, it's just like ghosting your girlfriend, they just never phoned us back!"
Similarly, he explained the producers behind the classic episodes tried to ignore the show as the creative team were "left completely alone" without outside interference.
Andrew added: "It's extraordinary to say that now when it's sort of a jewel in the crown, but 'Doctor Who' was just beyond the pale...
"We used to have the show the tape to the head of Drama... he'd just take a phone call and he wouldn't watch it, which was good in a way, because it just left us to our own devices."
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that the 12th series of the revamped 'Doctor Who' will air on New Year's Day (01.01.20).
The Thirteenth Doctor - played by Jodie Whittaker - is ready to land her TARDIS for her second season as the iconic Time Lord as she kicks things off with the first part of an action packed double episode written by showrunner Chris Chibnall.
'Spyfall' sees the return of co-stars Tosin Cole (Ryan), Mandip Gill (Yaz) and Bradley Walsh (Graham), while a host of famous faces including Stephen Fry, Sir Lenny Henry CBE, Robert Glenister and Goran Višnjić are set to appear throughout the upcoming 10-episode run.
And the Doctor and her friends are not the only ones making a comeback this season as classic 'Doctor Who' villains the Cybermen have been confirmed to return for the new series.
Chris has previously said he had plans for Jodie to face one of the longrunning BBC sci-fi's most formidable foes.
He said: "I really wanted to see Jodie against the Cybermen. There are certain monsters you want to see a Doctor go up against."