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1969 was an especially lean year for new Doctor Who merchandise as Patrick Troughton’s time as the Doctor wound down.
Dr. Who (Pt. 1 & Pt. 2) by the Crystalites - Dutch release on the Negram label
1969 saw the release of a reggae-style, very loose interpretation of the Doctor Who theme. "Dr. Who (Pt. 1 & Pt. 2)" was initially released as a white label from The Crystalites by Artistry in Sound in Kingston, Jamaica. The Crystalites was the studio band for producer, Derrick Harriott, and included session players, Bongo Les and Bongo Herman. When released in the UK on the Explosion label, the record listed Bongo Les and Herman as the artists and Derrick Harriott as the producer. It was subsequently released in the Netherlands on the Negram label, at which point it was credited to Derrick Harriott and the Crystalites (spelled Cristalites on the picture sleeve).
World Distributors published another "Dr. Who Annual." TV Comic continued its strip until late November, although generally paid less attention to Doctor Who than in previous years. Jamie exited the comic strip without reason in issue 898, published 1st March 1969. In issue 916, published 5th July 1969, the Doctor began his exile on Earth; although still with the face of Patrick Troughton. Finally, in issue 936, published 22nd November 1969, Troughton’s Doctor made his final appearance and the Doctor Who strip temporarily concluded after 263 consecutive weeks. Doctor Who still featured in the TV Comic Holiday Special and the TV Comic Annual 1970, published ahead of Christmas 1969.
The Listener, published by the BBC, dated 10 July 1969
The Radio Times paid less attention to Doctor Who during Troughton’s final months in the role. There was no Doctor Who cover this year, and only two articles - coinciding with the start and the end of The War Games. The selection of Caroline John as the new Doctor’s companion was announced in the Radio Times in September, and Jon Pertwee’s first appearance was briefly previewed at the end of December. A complete list of Doctor Who in the Radio Times can be found HERE. The Listener, the BBC’s weekly literary magazine, prominently featured a Cyberman on the cover of the issue dated 10th July 1969 to accompany an article about Kit Pedler.
The announcement in January of Troughton’s plan to leave the role, the decision in May of Frazer Hines and Wendy Padbury to also depart, and the selection in June of Jon Pertwee as the third Doctor created some media attention, but the newspapers and magazines were otherwise light on Doctor Who coverage.
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