John Leeson: key obituary facts
Is John Leeson dead? Yes. John Leeson died on November 1, 2026, at age 83.
Cause of death: John Leeson's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was John Leeson known for?
He was an English actor.
More about John Leeson
Born: 16 March 1943.
Place of birth: Leicester.
Gender: male.
Occupation: actor, film actor, television actor.
Nationality: United Kingdom.
Education: Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Career began: 1968.
Also known as: John Francis Christopher Ducker.
Occupations: Actor, voice actor.
Years active: 1964–2026.
Known for: K9 in Doctor WhoBungle in Rainbow.
John Leeson, the English actor known for voicing K9 in Doctor Who and portraying Bungle in Rainbow, died November 1, 2026, aged 83.
Born John Francis Christopher Ducker in Leicester on March 16, 1943, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art before building a career in theatre and television. His stage work included Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite in 1969, as well as Flint in 1970 and Don’t Start Without Me in 1971.
Leeson first supplied K9’s voice in the 1977 Doctor Who story The Invisible Enemy. After producer Graham Williams responded favorably to the character, K9 was retained as a regular, with the decision intended to appeal to younger viewers. Leeson voiced the robotic dog in Doctor Who and later in the spin-offs The Sarah Jane Adventures and K9, extending an association with the science-fiction series across multiple productions. Away from the role, he played Bungle in the children’s television series Rainbow and undertook character parts in sitcoms and costume dramas. His television work included appearances in Dad’s Army and Sorry!, among a broad range of productions. His work moved between repertory and West End productions and television, where he took on both comic and period roles. The combination of stage appearances, children’s television and recurring voice work formed the main strands of a career that continued into 2026.