Trivia

He is the only actor to play both Ian Fleming's James Bond 007 and the Doctor in Docteur Who (1963). He played Bond in a 1971 BBC radio adaptation of On ne vit que deux fois (1967) and was at one point considered for the role on film. He portrayed the Valeyard, a possible future, evil incarnation of the Doctor, throughout the 1986 series of Docteur Who (1963). He later reprised his role in the 2003 Big Finish audio drama "He Jests at Scars...".

He is a distinguished classical stage actor (including performances for the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre) who came into his own briefly in 1970s historical films, particularly as Czar Nicholas in Nicolas et Alexandra (1971). He is also a familiar face (and voice) to British television viewers.

He was offered the part of Captain Striker (played by Keith Barron) in Enlightenment: Part One (1983). He later played the role of the Valeyard in the "Trial of the Time Lord" season of Docteur Who (1963), an amalgamation of the dark side of the Doctor between his twelfth and thirteenth regenerations.

He was considered for the role of Dr. Armstrong in Lifeforce - L'étoile du mal (1985), which was taken by Patrick Stewart.

Decided to change his surname to 'Jayston' because people were confused to whether his name was 'Michael James' or 'James Michael'.

He was once considered for the role of James Bond during re-negotiations for Roger Moore's services. He did play James Bond on BBC radio for a version of On ne vit que deux fois (1967).

He was the first actor play an alternative incarnation of the Doctor in the long-running science fiction series Docteur Who (1963) when he took the part of the Valeyard opposite Colin Baker's Sixth Doctor. John Hurt later played another alternative Doctor, the War Doctor, in the 50th anniversary special.

He served in the National Service for a time and was stationed in Germany where he participated in several plays, but returned to Nottingham to train as an accountant for the National Coal Board.

Once stated that he rarely sought out another leading role in theatrical films after Nicolas et Alexandra (1971), due to his misgivings when making it.

Jayston has narrated the audio books for several of John Le Carre's novels, including "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy", in the adaptation of which he plays a significant role.

The only son of Aubrey Vincent James (1911-1937) and Edna Myfanwy Medcalfe (1904-1950).

In the 1970s and 1980s he was also a prolific voiceover for TV adverts in the UK.

Once moved boxes around in Nottingham fish market,.

Played Shakespearean roles on TV, including Macbeth in Macbeth (1970), Gratiano in The Merchant of Venice (1973) and Edmund in King Lear (1975).

Initially trained as an accountant at the National Coal Board after he finished his National Service. He eventually studied in acting at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Made his professional debut in 1961, performing in various productions at the Bangor Little Theatre in North Ireland. He went on to join the Salisbury Repertory (1962-63), the Bristol Old Vic (1963-65) and the Royal Shakespeare Company (1965).

A prolific reader for audiobooks, Jayston also recorded audio versions of many of the novels of Alexander Kent, such as the Richard Bolitho adventures set during the age of sail before and throughout the Napoleonic Wars, Winston Churchill's history of the Second World War, and many others.

Jayston recorded most of John le Carré's novels in audiobook format, providing a link with his role as Peter Guillam in the 1979 TV series Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. He was also the storyteller in the BBC radio readings of the novels Rogue Male and Rogue Justice, both written by Geoffrey Household.

As an official United Kingdom Record Store Day 2017 release, a collaborative double vinyl album between the underground artist Ruben Vine and Jayston, including a 28-page comic, was released. Jayston featured as the narrator on the story-based album entitled The Life & Times of an Imaginary Rock Star, this alternative rock album was described by one reviewer as a punk opera.

In 1990, he played the role of Ian Fleming's James Bond in a BBC Radio 4 adaptation of You Only Live Twice.

In 1988 he provided the opening voiceover for the Euston Films TV drama Jack The Ripper starring Michael Caine.

After seeing a touring company perform, he decided to pursue acting and obtained a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama while also working at the Nottingham fish market during his holidays.

He was president of and played with the Rottingdean Cricket Club.

He was educated at the Catholic Becket Grammar School and then at Nottingham University.

At the age of one, his father died of pneumonia after being booted in the chest while playing rugby with a bad cold, and at age 14, his mother also passed away, leaving him, an only child, to be brought up by his grandmother and uncle.

Father of a daughter, named Katherine, and a son, named Richard.