Doctor Who Dalek designer Ray Cusick dies after illness
The designer of the Daleks from the BBC's Doctor Who has died aged 84 after a short illness, his daughter has said. Read more
As Cusick was a BBC employee at the time he designed the Daleks, he was on a salary and not paid royalties. Given the large revenue generated by merchandise featuring Cusick's Dalek design, some feel that he should have been paid a royalty (as was script writer Terry Nation, who created the concept of the Daleks but not their design or appearance). However, this was not in the terms of his contract. Despite this, the BBC did recognise his contribution with an ex-gratia payment. Cusick himself never asks for more money; just to be recognised as the designer. Read more