Out of interest, I thought a quick look at the way former Recessions in Britain appear to have affected Doctor Who might be worth while:

Although Fan lore tells us that Pertles was initially earthbound as a cost-saving measure, the closest recession (known as the oil shock) actually took place from 1973-75. Arguably the programme entered its most successful period in this time.

Moving on, despite the well-reported financial pressures Graham Wiliams was placed under, the next major recession didn’t take place until the 1979-1982 period, and far be it from me to knock the then-recumbent Producer and Doctor.

The most recent UK recession lasted between 1989 and 1992 – and we all know what happened then. The actual programme ceased production but associated merchandise went into overdrive like never before, with the likes of Virgin, Dapol and BBC Worldwide creaming it.

Apparently an ‘Oil-shock after-shock’ (1976-77) may very well have affected Williams tenure as Producer, but it still remains a period of the programme well-regarded by many.

So, yes, I’m sure the programme and its merchandise may be affected by this current ‘dark time’, but if the past is anything to go by, probably in ways we won’t expect.