Bidmead trained as an actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA),[1] later playing several roles on stage, television and radio.

By the early 1970s, Bidmead was scriptwriting for Thames Television, producing material for Harriet's Back in Town and Rooms.

[2] Most noticeable in the more serious portrayal of Tom Baker's Doctor, this approach proved controversial and ratings suffered, although this has been attributed to the tough timeslot for Bidmead's season which saw the show competing against Buck Rogers in the 25th Century on ITV.

[5] In recent years he has contributed voiceover commentaries and interviews for numerous DVD and Blu-ray releases of Doctor Who serials with which he was involved.

Occasionally he has contributed more speculative or philosophical pieces for publications such as New Scientist, and recently he has worked as a journalist producing material for Wired magazine.