Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

For many years Frazer Hines was deeply involved with two major television programmes that grabbed the nation’s attention and made him one of the best known faces throughout the latter part of the 1960s and for a good couple of decades after that. The longevity of an actor within the consciousness of the television viewing habits of the audiences can be seen to rest on the programme they are in. In Fraser Hines’ case being cast as Jamie in Doctor Who under the guidance of Patrick Troughton’s time as the Doctor and then striking gold as the gentle farmer Joe Sugden in the Yorkshire Television soap opera Emmerdale Farm was perhaps the most incredible and fortuitous time for him. As the actor relates though in his autobiography/digital release, Hines Sight, there is so much more to him than wearing a kilt for three years and defeating the Daleks and the Cybermen or enjoying immense popularity as one of Yorkshire’s favourite sons.

For anybody coming into the man’s life fresh and unknowing, his story is one filled with a couple of regrets, a love life befitting a man with his elegance and easy charm, great stories from his time on stage and numerous hit television programmes, the odd prank or two, especially a brilliant one with then co-star Patrick Troughton over a bet on a car but above all, an absolute passion for his craft. Listening to the autobiography, more fascinating to hear the voice of the charismatic actor reading his own words, the listener is led through his life, the loves, of which there were astoundingly but not unexpectedly many, his two marriages, his time on two of the most iconic programmes from British television and his deep love of horse racing. The narrative is full of soul and never once disappoints.

Rarely do you get to hear the joy or deep sadness in a writer’s voice, especially in an autobiography. You do feel as though they are leaving salient points out but in Mr. Hines’ case, he plays the willing narrator to his audience, unafraid of recriminations because when all is said and done he has lived a very interesting and wonderful life, albeit with some memories that hurt even to this day. The few demons he has had to carry around with are overshadowed by moments of extreme happiness but both appear treasured for what they bought to him as a person. The passing of his beloved mother and father are parts of his life that he recounts with no holds barred and with much sadness in his eloquent voice, however without them pushing him when he was younger would life have been the same for him?

The same goes for his disdain of the press which comes through at certain points where at the height of his popularity in Emmerdale Farm there were times he could have cheerfully strangled the less discerning members of the profession.

Hines Sight is an excellent book to get hold of and enjoy in either format. A companion unlike no other to a much loved Doctor, a favourite son of the Yorkshire Dales and above all a likeable and deeply thoughtful man who has never once let stardom go to his head. Hines Sight is a must read for anyone interested in British television or the world of theatre acting but above all a entertaining read as Fraser Hines sounds more relaxed and comfortable than at any point in his life.

Ian D. Hall