"Don't ask me who my favourite monster was because I'm sick of saying Tom Baker"

In this quote, Lalla Ward humorously deals with the repetitiveness and predictability of being asked about her preferred "beast", probably within the context of her deal with "Doctor Who", in which she played the character Romana opposite Tom Baker's renowned representation of the Fourth Doctor. The term "monster" here is spirited and charming, as it refers to Tom Baker's character rather than literal animals from the program. Ward's comment highlights her close association with Baker during their time on "Doctor Who" and possibly her desire to be seen beyond simply that dynamic.

Tom Baker's tenure as the Doctor is one of the most remarkable durations of the series, and both he and Ward became fan favorites. Her light-hearted quip possibly recommends that while she values the attention and love from fans, she is weary of the very same concerns focusing narrowly on her association with Baker. Such an association tends to eclipse other aspects of her profession and contributions to the program.

Furthermore, Ward's words reflect an underlying commentary on the expectations put on actors who belong to iconic franchises. Typically, fans and media tend to fixate on certain stories or relationships, especially when they resonate deeply with audiences. For Ward, the consistent referral to Tom Baker as her preferred "beast" symbolizes the typecasting or pigeonholing that can in some cases happen as a result of a star's association with a particular function or co-star.

In essence, Ward's quote is an amusing expression of both fondness and exasperation, recording the complex relationship between a star's professional identity and the general public's perception influenced by popular culture phenomena like "Doctor Who". It's a pointer of the diverse nature of stars' careers and the obstacles of taking a special identity beyond a much-loved role.