Doctor Who is as much, about the continuing adventures of the Doctor; as it is – about the featured monsters.

Whilst Doctor Who has provided us, with some of the most recognisable monsters, over the years (the ten best monsters we explored here!). It has also provided us, with monsters – that really shouldn’t have seen the light.

Alot of the monsters in Doctor Who could lay claim to being the silliest monsters anyway, usually due to a lack of either money, time – or both.

Of course, it is all part of the imitable charm of the show; that some of the monsters (which were probably considered cutting-edge in their day) have been so memorably bizarre. Here are 10 of the worst/best :

10) The Vardans – Invasion Of Time 1978 – Fourth Doctor

Invasion Of Time, had the Fourth Doctor return to Gallifrey; to help The (alien) Vardans – overthrow the Gallifeyian high council.

The Vardans were supposed to be non-corporeal energy beings. In practice, however – this was bizarrely (and unwisely) achieved; by superimposing a ‘man-in-a-tinfoil’ suit – over the scene.

Even the sound of their movement, was basically just the rustling of the tinfoil suit. This was eventually corrected, in the eventual DVD release; with a new energy being; imposed onto the scenes – in an optional extra.

9) The Atlantians – The Underwater Menace 1967 – Second Doctor

The Atlantian fish people, were introduced in the Troughton episode; The Underwater Menace. As slave labour for the evil Atlantian empire, who were planning a surface comeback.

The fish people, were envisaged as ballet dancers wearing eye-goggles and stick on fish-scales. Bizarre!

Actor Patrick Troughton, was particularly unhappy about the production. He is reported to have described the show – as having “ridiculous costumes and make-up”.

Producer Innes Lloyd, appeared to concur – admitting “it looked like something from a ’50s American ‘B’ movie”.

8) The Garm – Terminus 1982 – Fifth Doctor

The Garm, could have been a good Doctor Who concept. Based on the legend of ‘Cerberus’ who guards the gates of hell – in mythology. It featured, in the Peter Davison snoozefest; Terminus.

The problem with the Garm, was – that it was an uninspired man-in-a-wolf-costume, with no a immovable mask. They should have also kept the Garm’s appearances – as fleeting glimpses but it was fully revealed, early on. The Garm then just stood around, not doing very much.

7) The Mara – Kinda 1982 – Fifth Doctor

Kinda, was a surprisingly deep Doctor Who episode, from Peter Davison’s era. It involved, the possession of companion Tegan – by a snake-like entity. The final episode, revealed the Mara – as it took it’s physical form; a huge (unconvincing) red snake.

It looked like one of those blow-up men, which you see flapping wildly outside of used-car showrooms. In the DVD release, they remastered the Mara in optional CGI.

6) The Menoptra & Zarbi – The Web Planet 1964 – First Doctor

In an early ambitious Hartnell spectacular; The Web Planet. The First Doctor travelled to a planet, where human-sized butterflies (The Menoptra) were at war, with a bunch of human-sized ants (The Zarbi).

The Menoptra looked like a bunch of students, at an insect themed; fancy dress stag-do party. The Zarbi performers legs, were visible out of the bottom of their costumes; which when taken alongside their spindly fake inanimate arms (stuck to the front of the costume) – made them look incredibly stupid.

5) Uxarian Midget King – Colony In Space 1972 – Third Doctor

The Uxarian midget king, briefly appeared at the end of the Pertwee serial – The Colony In Space. It was quite clearly a performer’s head; sitting concealed behind a fake chair -over a little puppet body.

The worst thing – about the Midget King, was the puppety movements of the little sausage arms and legs. It was an interesting idea, to try to build a monster – in this way. Unfortunately, it seriously lacked in execution.

4) The Candyman – Happiness Patrol 1988 – Seventh Doctor

“Nightmarish drooling Bertie Bassett on speed” – was a good description for Helen B’s executioner – the Kandyman, from McCoy’s – The Happiness Patrol.

Basset Sweets were less than amused – at this blantant ‘homage’ and threatened the Beeb, with court action. Lest the Kandyman should ever return, from the sweet bin. It never did.

3) The Monoids – The Ark 1966 – First Doctor

The Monoids, featured in an effective Hartnell Sci-Fi number called The Ark. It seemed someone in the design department, was having a serious laugh. Beatles wig, one eye and duck feet flippers. Not surprisingly, they never featured again. The story they were in – was excellent, however.

2) Erato – Creature From The Pit – Fourth Doctor

The whole premise of the Tom Baker episode – Creature From The Pit; was the build-up to a reveal of the creature, that lived in a pit. It turned out to be more jaw-dropping, than anyone could ever imagine; a big luminous-green snuffling cock and balls.

1) The Myrkka – Warriors Of The Deep 1982 – Fifth Doctor

The Myrkka, was supposed to be an unstoppable killing-machine of the Silurian and Sea Devil forces. In reality, due to a rushed schedule and lack of prep; was realised as a seaweed covered green pantomine cow. Which spent its time, tromping and stomping about a Nuclear base.

Michael Grade – the man behind Who’s cancellation in 1989; later said, that it was seeing the Myrkka in Warriors Of The Deep which brought to his attention – how much ‘off-the-boil’ Doctor Who had gone and this would eventually help shape his (eventual) decision – to axe it.

So the Myrkka, was not only stupid-looking, it also helped bring the curtain down on the series; a few years later. For those reasons alone, it has to be no. 1 worst monster.

Have we included your favourite ‘worst’ monsters? It’s a subjective list – at best and always open to interpretation.