iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

RIP Gilly Brown: Ohica in The Brain of Morbius. Never had the pleasure but she sounds like she was a lot of fun.

Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Playwright Simon Stephens came all the way to see us do his play Maria at 53Two. He was clearly delighted with the production and couldn’t have been nicer. One show left : tomorrow. Do pop on if you can.

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Vladimir McTavish : Scottish comedy legend. Hilarious and unique. Paul Sneddon, the man behind the legend: absolutely lovely bloke. A warm hearted, totally decent fellow. We hadn’t worked together in a while and to think we never will again makes me sad. RIP to a top bloke gone too soon.

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Kay Patrick was a lovely, kind, intelligent woman who managed to act in two Doctor Whos, direct nearly 300 Coronation Streets and write a book! She also generously gave me a couple of otherwise lost photos from The Savages we can now all enjoy thanks to her. So sad that she has died: RIP Kay ❤️

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Laurie Webb, aka Mr Ollis from Doctor Who’s The Three Doctors, was one of my favourite Who people. He also delivered one of its best lines (“You’d never believe me woman: supper ready?”). Laurie died, peacefully, on Sunday, just five weeks short of his 102nd birthday. What a life: he was adorable.

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

It’s Testing, Testing at 53Two tonight with Gary Delaney, Alun Cochrane, Josh Jones, Hannah Platt and Tabish Akbar. Stonking line-up for ridiculously little money. Do pop in:

Five comedians - Hannah Platt, Gary Delaney, Josh Jones, Tabish Akbar, and Alun Cochrane - advertising a new material standup comedy night tonight at 53Two.

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

Sad to learn yesterday that Susan Vale, an unassuming, daft, extremely likeable comedian, equally at home doing a surprise end-of-set tap dance or a killer pun, died yesterday. I’d not seen her for a while but she played @xsmalarkey.com regularly back in the day. She was a very nice, kind woman.

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

Sad news: Gregory de Polnay, Dixon of Dock Green regular and the incomparable D84 in Doctor Who’s Robots of Death has died aged 82. He was a lovely man and an excellent actor and renowned drama teacher.

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 27/12/2025

Please listen to Absent Friends on BBC Radio 4 Extra today. Part One is 4.45pm (repeated at 0045) and Part Two is the same time tomorrow. It’s my acknowledgment of various folk from UK sci-fi, horror and fantasy who died this year. 4 Extra doesn’t do many home made productions, so do tune in!

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

Toby Hadoke’s Doctor Who Advent Calendar - Day Ten

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

We gone ridiculously over budget at tonight’s @xsmalarkey.com just to end the year’s normal gigs on a high. (Quiz next week, then a break until New Year’s Eve). So don’t miss out on our THREE Headliners:

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

7 Years Sober today. Self Indulgent Video Disguised As Inspiration Alert!!! (I wrote a blog two years ago about my fifth year of sobriety that some people said had been helpful. It’s on my website and easy to find if you want to see or share it).

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

Happy Birthday XS Malarkey. 28 years of Tuesday night comedy. Last night’s line-up (@jainedwards.bsky.social @nottomburgess.bsky.social Josh Glanc & Chloe Petts) was a testament to the night’s ability to allow all sorts of brilliant comedians to thrive! Thanks to our gang, our venue & our audience.

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

These guys x ❤️❤️❤️

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

If your faith in humanity is being tested right now: my MacBook and satchel (and entire contents) were waiting for me safe and sound at Waterloo Lost Property. I genuinely thought them lost forever.

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

A lot of people saw this guy perform on stage for £3 last night. James Acaster and I were also on the bill. You really need to make @xsmalarkey.com part of your routine : I think we do a pretty damned good job of this comedy lark.

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

Beautiful show at Testing Testing at 53Two tonight : Gary Delaney, Charlotte Cropper, Sean Moran, Hayley Ellis and Hannah Platt: all trying out new material for a bargain price. Last Sunday of every month : remember to join us coz it’s a cracker!

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

Christopher H Bidmead : a warm, engaging and hugely intelligent man who enjoyed putting the cat among the pigeons on interviews. In real life though, he was approachable and kind: and made the nicest coffee I’ve ever had. Here is is at home in Dec 2013 when he kindly asked me round. RIP Chris x

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

Aw! How lovely to be nestled next to Robin. Here’s the human equivalent just last month :)

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

I’m in a play! Cock - by Mike Bartlett - is on at Hope Mill Theatre next week and the Cockpit Theatre and Shakespeare North Playhouse so do please come and see it if you can!!

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

They’ve got a copy: have you? Quatermass book launch yesterday. I’m so touched she thrilled by it all…

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 18/05/2025

Before and after today’s #greatmanchesterrun : not the best time in the world but I didn’t really prepare and it was hot and I’m 51 and not a sportsman - so I’ll take just crossing the finish line.

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

A day I’m not sure I ever thought would happen #quatermass #nigelkneale

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

BFI Quatermass book launch. May 19th! On sale for members today and non members on Thursday. Be quick! Strictly limited!

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

Two dates for your #quatermass diary: My book on The Quatermass Experiment is being launched at @53two in Manchester (May 11th) & at @BFI in London (May 19th) Copies for sale, signings, readings, & a Q&A: hosted by Blue Peter’s Abby Cook (11th) & the BFI’s Lisa Kerrigan (19th).

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

Come on everyone, get yourselves down to @xsmalarkey.com at 53Two tomorrow please. The fabulous Peter Brush is on. You’ll love him x We’ve just won Best Pro Comedy Night in the North at the Chortle Awards again you know x

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

Dear old Simon. Always a pleasure to bump into him at conventions and he made the most of a one-scene part and was deservedly rewarded with more appearances. Condolences to his husband Tony x RIP

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

Looking For Dursley has been nominated (Best Factual) for an RTS Award. We were only able to make it thanks to silly old Doctor Who & its fans: a testament to it and to them. Dursley (a talented young man whose life was cut short by HIV/AIDS) was just one of many: it was important to tell his story.

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

I bring my usual blend of restraint, subtlety and gravitas to tonight’s episode of Waterloo Road so have a look if you can. I had a lot of fun making it.

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

With all this Eastenders anniversary talk I suppose I should share my favourite fact about the show: Dead Reg Cox, the body found in the very first scene of Eastenders, was played by Johnny Clayton who was the spiky faced Delegate in Doctor Who’s Mission to the Unknown.

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

You don’t want to miss the fabulous, caustic and side-splittingly funny @sarabarron.bsky.social at @xsmalarkey.com at 53Two tonight. Always worth a watch so do pop in if you can.

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

Lovely shows at @xsmalarkey.com these past two weeks - acts including @misterabk.bsky.social @josielong.bsky.social doing brilliant things and the night selling out. Do make sure to come to 53Two of a Tuesday xx

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

A fond farewell to Christopher Benjamin today. Lots of love in the room and a happy/sad remembrance of his life and work. I’m lucky to have spent time with him but sad to think I’ll not have the pleasure of doing so again. What a lovely man: and such a marvellous actor.

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

I’ve made a show! An hour long profile of the co-founder of Games Workshop and all round games guru who perpetuates his passion for play to this day. Join me as I talk to the man himself in Geek Gods: Sir Ian Livingstone Radio 4 Extra: 22nd February at 4pm/midnight (and on BBC Sounds thereafter).

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

Sad to report that the family of Barbara Clegg - writer of the marvellous Doctor Who story Enlightenment - have asked me to share the news that she died on 7th January aged 98. RIP Barbara x

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

6 Years. One Day At A Time. I wrote something last year that some people found helpful: tobyhadoke.com/five-years-s... #alcoholic #recoveringalcoholic #sober #odaat #aa #alcoholicsanonymous #6years

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

Yay! The fabulous Josh Jones joins Bethany Black and Phil Ellis (and me!) this New Year’s Eve for Funnye at 53Two. 2am bar, live music, affordable entry, great venue. Yes please! Tickets: www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/man...

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

So last night at @xsmalarkey.com our special gig in aid of George House Trust raised a whopping £1500 for this wonderful cause. Thanks to the fab acts, our audience for their generosity and to @wegottickets.bsky.social for, without being asked to, waiving any commission on sales. Amazing!

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

Phil Ellis is the latest act to join the New Year’s Eve line-up at 53Two: myself and @bethanyblack.bsky.social were already in and we have one more act to announce soon. Should be a fantastic night (live music and 2am bar as well). Get your tickets now: www.ticketsource.co.uk/53two/t-xmlj...

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Toby Hadoke @tobyhadoke.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

Absent Friends - my annual round up of the heroes of UK science-fiction who left us this year - will be on Radio 4 Extra at 4.45pm on Dec 29th (repeated 12.45am and on BBC Sounds thereafter). It’s heartening that they continue to allow me to perform this sad duty. #bbcradio4extra

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