जीवनी

Was so fond of the role of The Master that, according to Doctor Who script editor Eric Saward, Ainley would introduce himself on the phone by saying "This is the Master," and then do his trademark villainous laugh.

Just as his Doctor Who character "The Master" would use anagrams to conceal his identity, Ainley would be credited with an anagram of his own name to hide the fact that a character he was playing in certain episodes was The Master in Disguise. Most notably, this led to his credit in "Castrovalva" episode 3 being "Neil Toynay" (Tony Ainley).

He would often turn down acting roles that would clash with major cricket matches.

He played the Master in 'Doctor Who' for nine years - the longest serving actor to appear as a regular character in the TV series' history.

Was a keen club cricketer - even abruptly citing Sophie Aldred (who played Ace on Doctor Who) as his friend once he learned that she played cricket.