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Doctor who? Why Ncuti Gatwa flopped as the Time Lord
Doctor who? Why Ncuti Gatwa flopped as the Time Lord

Sydney Morning Herald

timea day ago

  • Entertainment
  • Sydney Morning Herald

Doctor who? Why Ncuti Gatwa flopped as the Time Lord

The Doctor has just been exterminated – but not by Daleks. After mounting speculation that leading actor Ncuti Gatwa would be leaving Doctor Who, Saturday's series finale saw him regenerate into the Time Lord's next incarnation sooner than planned. Fan favourite Billie Piper returned to inherit the starring role, having previously starred as companion Rose Tyler. Such a surprise plot twist still can't paper over the cracks. Gatwa becomes the first Doctor to depart without a prior announcement in the show's 62-year history. Piper is the first to be unveiled onscreen, rather than trumpeted in advance. It smacks of desperate decision-making and an ignominious end for a 15th Doctor who once promised so much. This was supposed to be a brave new era for the venerable sci-fi saga. Respected showrunner Russell T. Davies – who masterminded the show's blockbuster reboot 20 years ago – returned to take the reins ahead of the show's 60th anniversary. Streaming giant Disney+ pumped in plentiful cash to boost the budget. One of the hottest young actors around inherited the sonic screwdriver. Whovians were abuzz with anticipation. Early signs were positive, but the expected resurgence didn't come to pass. Ratings have nosedived, averaging 5 million for Jodie Whittaker's last series but a mere 3 million for Gatwa's latest. Loading It's predicted Disney won't renew its deal to bankroll the series. Rumours are rife that production will be paused for the first time since the cult show went off-air between 1989 and 2005 after a previously unbroken 26-year run. Gatwa's Tardis tenure has been a flop of intergalactic proportions, putting Doctor Who firmly back in the doldrums. What went wrong? For a start, his portrayal has missed the mark. Gatwa's time traveller has been the most emotional yet – prone to tears and petulant outbursts. He lacks the authority and gravitas to convince as an old soul who has lived for thousands of years and seen it all. It's not about the actor's age (Peter Davison and Matt Smith were younger), it's about screen presence. With bright colours, plots that included space babies, singing goblins, and a bogeyman made of snot, plus his tendency to use the word 'babes', this Doctor feels overly kid-focused. Disneyfied, if you like. He has been too passive, frequently outwitted by foes and failing to impress until the last moment. Offscreen, Gatwa has appeared hesitant to embrace the ambassadorial side of the role, rarely taking on the extramural duties that are part and parcel of being the Doctor. The clearest indication came in May, when he belatedly backed out of being the UK jury's spokesperson for the Eurovision Song Contest. As one of the BBC's highest profile faces, his last-minute withdrawal is said to have angered bosses. It's rumoured that a row erupted after he allegedly refused to take part when Israel made it to the final. The official line was that he'd dropped out due to 'unforeseen circumstances', but it's been seen as the final straw. There is a feeling that Gatwa never fully fell in love with Doctor Who in the way that his predecessors did, never taking on the plethora of extra duties and personal appearances that other former leads embraced. David Tennant and Peter Capaldi were already life-long fans who dreamed of one day playing their boyhood hero. Whittaker and Matt Smith became passionate devotees during their stints, won over by the franchise's treasured status and loyal fan base. By contrast, Gatwa seems to belong in the same category as one-series wonder Christopher Eccleston – appearing to be a reluctant Doctor, never entirely comfortable in the role. Guesting on a themed edition of Mastermind shortly before his series debuted in 2005, Eccleston pointedly replied, when being introduced as the Doctor, 'Well, for now'. When Gatwa was cast in 2022, he said: 'This role and show means so much to so many around the world, including myself.' However, those fans have largely been let down. In addition, Gatwa was reportedly not universally popular on set in Cardiff, where the series has been filmed since Davies took over. Rumours circulated about difficult behaviour during production. 'I think he has sights beyond [ Doctor Who ] … I think it was a stepping stone for him, rather than wanting to do it,' an insider claims. 'Nobody particularly knows him.' Having tasted Hollywood in the Barbie movie and Steven Spielberg's Masters of the Air, Gatwa's ambitions appear to have always stretched further than Tiger Bay. Neither does he have the mainstream recognition of previous incumbents. Gatwa could probably walk down the street relatively unnoticed. It's partly his prior CV – his breakthrough part was a supporting turn in Netflix teen drama Sex Education – and partly down to his Doctor lacking a signature onscreen look. Changing costume (and even hairstyle) for each adventure has been a mistake. From Tom Baker's scarf to Matt Smith's bow tie, the best Doctors had a sartorial trademark. Gatwa's Doctor never settled on one. Lastly and most crucially, Gatwa has been ill-served by the scripts. Davies might be one of our most decorated screenwriters, but when it comes to the Whoniverse, he's lost his golden touch. Overcomplicated storylines have paid off poorly. Rip-roaring thrills have been in short supply. Self-reflexive writing and fourth-wall breaks, with meta-references to the show's fan base and the villainous Mrs Flood (Anita Dobson) whispering asides to camera, are symptoms of a show increasingly in thrall to its lore and impenetrable for newer viewers. Davies has deliberately swerved classic monsters this time around. Daleks and Cybermen haven't appeared during his current stint. Instead, we've been underwhelmed by the baffling return of obscure old enemies – The Rani, Omega, Sutekh, the Toymaker – who mean nothing to most viewers. The show has entered the realm of fan fiction, rather than primetime entertainment with broad appeal. Anybody who hasn't been watching for decades won't have a clue as to what's going on. Scripts have forgotten ye olde maxim of 'show not tell', with too much proselytising and expositional dialogue. Naysayers believe Davies has focused far too much on identity politics and culture wars issues, rather than family-friendly fun. Plots have featured incels and imperialism, coercive control and conspiracy theorists, non-binary aliens and discussions of pronouns. Crowbarring those topics in has sparked a backlash, with the series being dubbed 'Doctor Woke'. At times, watching it has felt like being thwacked around the head with a progressive pamphlet. Loading Doctor Who hasn't just lost its way. It has lost much of its audience. Overnight ratings for the BBC have plummeted to 1.6 million, down a whopping 10 million from their 1970s heyday. The Tennant era recaptured those glory days, averaging 8.3 million and often hitting 10 million. Even with catch-up viewing taken into account, recent figures have struggled to reach 4 million. Uncertainty about the show's future has increasingly crept into coverage, resulting in a depressing death spiral. You can't blame Disney for wanting to cut its losses after a reported £100 million ($208 million) investment. Gatwa lasted a mere 18 episodes, putting him behind only Eccleston as the shortest-serving full-time Doctor ever. Did he depart of his own accord or was he pushed? Three months ago, tabloids claimed he had 'quit' to pursue other projects and would be written out. A generous reading is that Piper's return was a well-kept secret. A more cynical one says it's a desperate last roll of the dice. Either way, with Gatwa now exiting the Tardis and Davies' crowd-pleasing touch deserting him, the 62-year-old show is in critical condition. Somebody call a Doctor.

Doctor who? Why Ncuti Gatwa flopped as the Time Lord
Doctor who? Why Ncuti Gatwa flopped as the Time Lord

The Age

timea day ago

  • Entertainment
  • The Age

Doctor who? Why Ncuti Gatwa flopped as the Time Lord

The Doctor has just been exterminated – but not by Daleks. After mounting speculation that leading actor Ncuti Gatwa would be leaving Doctor Who, Saturday's series finale saw him regenerate into the Time Lord's next incarnation sooner than planned. Fan favourite Billie Piper returned to inherit the starring role, having previously starred as companion Rose Tyler. Such a surprise plot twist still can't paper over the cracks. Gatwa becomes the first Doctor to depart without a prior announcement in the show's 62-year history. Piper is the first to be unveiled onscreen, rather than trumpeted in advance. It smacks of desperate decision-making and an ignominious end for a 15th Doctor who once promised so much. This was supposed to be a brave new era for the venerable sci-fi saga. Respected showrunner Russell T. Davies – who masterminded the show's blockbuster reboot 20 years ago – returned to take the reins ahead of the show's 60th anniversary. Streaming giant Disney+ pumped in plentiful cash to boost the budget. One of the hottest young actors around inherited the sonic screwdriver. Whovians were abuzz with anticipation. Early signs were positive, but the expected resurgence didn't come to pass. Ratings have nosedived, averaging 5 million for Jodie Whittaker's last series but a mere 3 million for Gatwa's latest. Loading It's predicted Disney won't renew its deal to bankroll the series. Rumours are rife that production will be paused for the first time since the cult show went off-air between 1989 and 2005 after a previously unbroken 26-year run. Gatwa's Tardis tenure has been a flop of intergalactic proportions, putting Doctor Who firmly back in the doldrums. What went wrong? For a start, his portrayal has missed the mark. Gatwa's time traveller has been the most emotional yet – prone to tears and petulant outbursts. He lacks the authority and gravitas to convince as an old soul who has lived for thousands of years and seen it all. It's not about the actor's age (Peter Davison and Matt Smith were younger), it's about screen presence. With bright colours, plots that included space babies, singing goblins, and a bogeyman made of snot, plus his tendency to use the word 'babes', this Doctor feels overly kid-focused. Disneyfied, if you like. He has been too passive, frequently outwitted by foes and failing to impress until the last moment. Offscreen, Gatwa has appeared hesitant to embrace the ambassadorial side of the role, rarely taking on the extramural duties that are part and parcel of being the Doctor. The clearest indication came in May, when he belatedly backed out of being the UK jury's spokesperson for the Eurovision Song Contest. As one of the BBC's highest profile faces, his last-minute withdrawal is said to have angered bosses. It's rumoured that a row erupted after he allegedly refused to take part when Israel made it to the final. The official line was that he'd dropped out due to 'unforeseen circumstances', but it's been seen as the final straw. There is a feeling that Gatwa never fully fell in love with Doctor Who in the way that his predecessors did, never taking on the plethora of extra duties and personal appearances that other former leads embraced. David Tennant and Peter Capaldi were already life-long fans who dreamed of one day playing their boyhood hero. Whittaker and Matt Smith became passionate devotees during their stints, won over by the franchise's treasured status and loyal fan base. By contrast, Gatwa seems to belong in the same category as one-series wonder Christopher Eccleston – appearing to be a reluctant Doctor, never entirely comfortable in the role. Guesting on a themed edition of Mastermind shortly before his series debuted in 2005, Eccleston pointedly replied, when being introduced as the Doctor, 'Well, for now'. When Gatwa was cast in 2022, he said: 'This role and show means so much to so many around the world, including myself.' However, those fans have largely been let down. In addition, Gatwa was reportedly not universally popular on set in Cardiff, where the series has been filmed since Davies took over. Rumours circulated about difficult behaviour during production. 'I think he has sights beyond [ Doctor Who ] … I think it was a stepping stone for him, rather than wanting to do it,' an insider claims. 'Nobody particularly knows him.' Having tasted Hollywood in the Barbie movie and Steven Spielberg's Masters of the Air, Gatwa's ambitions appear to have always stretched further than Tiger Bay. Neither does he have the mainstream recognition of previous incumbents. Gatwa could probably walk down the street relatively unnoticed. It's partly his prior CV – his breakthrough part was a supporting turn in Netflix teen drama Sex Education – and partly down to his Doctor lacking a signature onscreen look. Changing costume (and even hairstyle) for each adventure has been a mistake. From Tom Baker's scarf to Matt Smith's bow tie, the best Doctors had a sartorial trademark. Gatwa's Doctor never settled on one. Lastly and most crucially, Gatwa has been ill-served by the scripts. Davies might be one of our most decorated screenwriters, but when it comes to the Whoniverse, he's lost his golden touch. Overcomplicated storylines have paid off poorly. Rip-roaring thrills have been in short supply. Self-reflexive writing and fourth-wall breaks, with meta-references to the show's fan base and the villainous Mrs Flood (Anita Dobson) whispering asides to camera, are symptoms of a show increasingly in thrall to its lore and impenetrable for newer viewers. Davies has deliberately swerved classic monsters this time around. Daleks and Cybermen haven't appeared during his current stint. Instead, we've been underwhelmed by the baffling return of obscure old enemies – The Rani, Omega, Sutekh, the Toymaker – who mean nothing to most viewers. The show has entered the realm of fan fiction, rather than primetime entertainment with broad appeal. Anybody who hasn't been watching for decades won't have a clue as to what's going on. Scripts have forgotten ye olde maxim of 'show not tell', with too much proselytising and expositional dialogue. Naysayers believe Davies has focused far too much on identity politics and culture wars issues, rather than family-friendly fun. Plots have featured incels and imperialism, coercive control and conspiracy theorists, non-binary aliens and discussions of pronouns. Crowbarring those topics in has sparked a backlash, with the series being dubbed 'Doctor Woke'. At times, watching it has felt like being thwacked around the head with a progressive pamphlet. Loading Doctor Who hasn't just lost its way. It has lost much of its audience. Overnight ratings for the BBC have plummeted to 1.6 million, down a whopping 10 million from their 1970s heyday. The Tennant era recaptured those glory days, averaging 8.3 million and often hitting 10 million. Even with catch-up viewing taken into account, recent figures have struggled to reach 4 million. Uncertainty about the show's future has increasingly crept into coverage, resulting in a depressing death spiral. You can't blame Disney for wanting to cut its losses after a reported £100 million ($208 million) investment. Gatwa lasted a mere 18 episodes, putting him behind only Eccleston as the shortest-serving full-time Doctor ever. Did he depart of his own accord or was he pushed? Three months ago, tabloids claimed he had 'quit' to pursue other projects and would be written out. A generous reading is that Piper's return was a well-kept secret. A more cynical one says it's a desperate last roll of the dice. Either way, with Gatwa now exiting the Tardis and Davies' crowd-pleasing touch deserting him, the 62-year-old show is in critical condition. Somebody call a Doctor.

Ncuti Gatwa Leaves 'Doctor Who' Having Never Faced Iconic Dalek Foes
Ncuti Gatwa Leaves 'Doctor Who' Having Never Faced Iconic Dalek Foes

Newsweek

time2 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Newsweek

Ncuti Gatwa Leaves 'Doctor Who' Having Never Faced Iconic Dalek Foes

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Ncuti Gatwa is set to depart the long-running BBC television series Doctor Who without ever encountering the Time Lord's most infamous enemies: the Daleks. Despite his groundbreaking tenure as the 15th Doctor and the first Black actor to assume the role, Gatwa's era will close without a showdown against the sci-fi series' iconic villains. Ncuti Gatwa, left in New York, May 5, 2025, in New York; and Billie Piper in London, March 27, 2024. Ncuti Gatwa, left in New York, May 5, 2025, in New York; and Billie Piper in London, March 27, 2024. Evan Agostini,Vianney Le Caer/AP The Context Ncuti Gatwa officially departed Doctor Who on Saturday, saying he "loved every minute of it," after his Doctor regenerated into Billie Piper in a season finale that has sparked mixed reactions from fans. Piper, 42, is no stranger to the series, having first appeared in 2005 as Rose Tyler, companion to Christopher Eccleston's Ninth Doctor, and later alongside David Tennant's Tenth Doctor. Gatwa's exit, long speculated, now confirms him as the second-shortest-serving Doctor, following Eccleston's single-season run. What To Know Gatwa becomes only the second actor never to face the Daleks during his tenure in the lead role—joining Paul McGann, whose Eighth Doctor battled them only in audio dramas, while David Tennant's Tenth Doctor encountered them, but his brief return as the Fourteenth did not. A full size Dalek during a photo call at the Propstore in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, ahead of their Doctor Who auction for BBC Children in Need. A full size Dalek during a photo call at the Propstore in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, ahead of their Doctor Who auction for BBC Children in Need. Press Association via AP Images Doctor Who first premiered in 1963 and ran until 1989 before going on an extended hiatus. The series, about a heroic time traveling Doctor who battles dark forces of the universe, was successfully revived in 2005 under the guidance of writer Russell T Davies, ushering in a new era for the iconic sci-fi show. Key elements of the franchise's longevity are: the Doctor's Tardis time machine, a converted antiquated police phone box; and the concept of regeneration, in which the Doctor undergoes a transformation into a new body and personality following events that would typically be fatal. This also doubles as a handy dramatic device to switch actors in the lead role. Additionally, the Doctor is kitted out with a "sonic screwdriver," an equivalent to Batman's utility belt. To date,14 actors have officially portrayed the Doctor in numbered roles, David Tennant uniquely returning to play both the 10th and 14th incarnations. Additionally, the late John Hurt portrayed the previously unknown "War Doctor" in a special episode marking the show's 50th anniversary. What People Are Saying Gatwa said: "You know when you get cast, at some point, you are going to have to hand back that sonic screwdriver and it is all going to come to an end, but nothing quite prepares you for it. "This journey has been one that I will never forget and a role that will be part of me forever. There are no words to describe what it feels like to be cast as the Doctor, nor are there words to explain what it feels like to be accepted into this iconic role that has existed for over 60 years and is truly loved by so many across the globe. "The fans are truly the final character and beating heart of this show and I can't thank the Whoniverse, and the Whovians, enough for welcoming me in, and making this such a touching experience. Billie Piper said in a press release: "It's no secret how much I love this show, and I have always said I would love to return to the Whoniverse as I have some of my best memories there, so to be given the opportunity to step back on that Tardis one more time was just something I couldn't refuse, but who, how, why and when you'll just have to wait and see." Russell T. Davies in the BBC press release said: "What a Doctor! Thank you, Ncuti! As his final words say, this has been an absolute joy, and the team in Cardiff and everyone who has worked on this show for the past few years, are so lucky to have been part of Ncuti's great adventure as he shoots off to stratospheric new heights." What Happens Next It remains unknown at this stage when the next series will be released on BBC. In the U.S. the show airs on Disney+. The fact that Gatwa has not battled the Daleks, gives him the perfect excuse to return in a later series, plot permitting.

Is Ncuti Gatwa leaving? Our Doctor Who experts know who should take over
Is Ncuti Gatwa leaving? Our Doctor Who experts know who should take over

Metro

time3 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Metro

Is Ncuti Gatwa leaving? Our Doctor Who experts know who should take over

As Doctor Who's Ncuti Gatwa second season comes to an end, sights are already being set on the 16th Doctor. After two stand-out seasons shepherding Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) and Belinda Chandra (Varada Sethu) around the universe, the 15th Doctor has seen it all (except the Daleks, much to Ncuti's devastation). He's faced down enemies from the distant past, pushed back against bigotry, discovered hell-dimension defying love and found himself in the middle of more than one musically-themed episode. Although we hope there are more adventures to come, with rumours swirling of an imminent departure (and Doctor's traditionally not sticking around for more than three seasons) it's best to be prepared. The future of Doctor Who could unfold in any direction. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. So, here are the picks from Metro's Doctor Who experts – Deputy TV Editor Tom Percival, Senior TV Reporter Rebecca Cook and TV Reporter Asyia Iftikhar – for the next Doctor from unexpected frontrunners to dream fancasts. Now I know what you're thinking – did you just misread that name? No, you read correctly – that is Billie Piper, aka the actor behind Rose Tyler who's currently stranded in a parallel universe with a discount David Tennant. There's no one quite like Rose to keep your ego in check while effortlessly swooning you with her straight-forward charm and disarming loyalty – all packaged into someone whose edges were sharpened on a bustling London council estate with a mum who knows her own mind (and then some). Despite the fact that she still plays a very much existing character in the Whoniverse (if her return to Big Finish is any indication) everyone is ignoring that tiny detail as speculation rises that she could be upgrading to the top dog themselves – the 16th Doctor. Hey, if 12th Doctor Peter Capaldi is anything to go by (albeit on a much, much smaller scale) Doctor Who is in the business of not only recycling faces but actually acknowledging it in the plot! Anyone who checked in to the latest stay at The White Lotus will know the award of season scene-stealer was a toss-up between Parker Posey's amorphous accent and the delightful Aimee Lou Wood. After being a standout on Sex Education before that – much like Ncuti Gatwa – the only issue here might be that Aimee Lou Wood wouldn't want to be tied down to a long-running show – again, much like Ncuti Gatwa. But if we're purely fan-casting here, what would be a better way to follow up the immense eye-acting powers of Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor than with Wood's own mesmerically shiny windows to the soul? And who else, like Gatwa, could get away with calling every alien, demi-god and mortal being they come into contact with 'babes' and 'hon'? It just might be that these are shoes only Wood can fill. Senior TV Reporter Rebecca Cook It might be hard to imagine Danny Dyer travelling through time and space, battling Daleks, and fighting the good fight. After all, Danny's made a career playing rough and ready characters who are more likely to throw hands than throw around a bit of technobabble. Yet, to paraphrase Matt Smith's iconic final lines, times change, and so must Doctor Who. Danny could offer an entirely fresh take on the beloved Time Lord, one that's a bit grittier and edgier. I imagine him as a mash-up of the Ninth, Third, and Twelfth Doctors, a slightly grumpy, less refined figure who's as passionate and brave as ever but not afraid to bust out the Venusian aikido when a Cyberman needs slapping down. In case you think I'm being facetious, I think Danny's proven, most recently in the brilliant Rivals, that he brings a surprising level of pathos to his characters that belies his carefully cultivated wide boy persona, and with the right script, I can see him bringing tremendous depth to the Doctor. Plus, who wouldn't love to see Danny Dyer dressed like a Victorian dandy telling their assistant to get up the apples and pears before that Dalek can have a butchers at 'em. Deputy TV Editor Tom Percival It's difficult to find a more exciting emerging British talent than Ambika Mod, who in just a handful of roles has been able to make audiences curl up on their sofa and cry or laugh out loud at her impeccable comedic timing. Her comedy background, coupled with her ability to infuse immense emotional depth into her characters – whether slowly destroying us as Emma Morley in Netflix's One Day or tearing our hearts out as junior Doctor Shruti in This Is Going To Hurt – has made her an unstoppable force. By pure coincidence, it's also all the qualities we look for in the Doctor who needs to be able to bring a dark gravitas to one scene and levity the next – a tall order. I can truly see her having a high-stakes showdown with a Weeping Angel one minute and accidentally taking the companion's cat along for the ride the next. Not to mention, it would be delightful to see her take on a more fast-paced, action-style role, which I have no doubt she would thrive in. Adolescence star Erin Doherty has proven her metamorphic ability in spades. The 32-year-old actor inhabits a grounded presence on screen that she infuses with grit and, when appropriate, panache that completely draws you in – and leaves you wanting more. Even knowing that she plays Princess Anne in The Crown I still struggle to fully accept it's her, so great is her talent to be completely consumed by the role that she's playing. Doctor Who is nothing without the total surrender of the actors who embody this time-travelling Time Lord and I can think of no one more up to the task. More Trending Whether creating some of the most devastating television you'll see this year in one shot or packing a punch in a period drama all about boxing – Erin Doherty has mastered it all. Now she just needs a sonic screwdriver and a panchant for crashing the Tardis in the most dangerous imaginable place to fit the bill. Justttt to cover our bases. Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. View More » MORE: Doctor Who is wasted on Disney – ditch it or it risks dying MORE: Ashley Walters calls out BBC's Who Do You Think You Are for rejecting him after 'year of research' MORE: The Chase star points out major issue 'ruining' rival ITV gameshow

Ditchingham Doctor Who fan brings joy with life-size Daleks
Ditchingham Doctor Who fan brings joy with life-size Daleks

BBC News

time4 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • BBC News

Ditchingham Doctor Who fan brings joy with life-size Daleks

A Doctor Who superfan who creates homemade Daleks to support charities says he wanted to turn a character that "hates the human race" into a "cause for something good".Mark Casto, 67, from Ditchingham, Norfolk - known as Dalek man - recycles everything from Christmas baubles to dustbin lids to create the life-size by his daughter Amy, who made a gingerbread version, Mr Casto has built several homemade Daleks since lockdown to support homeless people and disability Casto said: "They've changed a lot during the years and they're still so popular - it just goes to show that, like Spiderman and Batman, they've just got something special about them." Despite thinking the Daleks were "creepy" when he first saw them on TV as a child in the 1960s, Mr Casto said they had the biggest influence on him."I was obsessed with them and when I got older, I wanted to build them and eventually had the skills and time to do it," he said. The handmade Daleks take about six to seven months to piece together and measure roughly six feet (1.8 metres) tall and four feet (1.2 metres) are made using recycled materials including timber and plywood, fibreglass and even knitting needles. 'Like a prop' Mr Casto made his first Dalek almost five years ago and named it Dalek DL as a reference to its dustbin lid then, he has built five more, with names including Dalek Rad, Dalek Bert and Dalek of his Daleks have mobility scooters within them, so Mr Casto can often be seen whizzing around his local area disguised as his villainous said: "I often get people walking their dogs past me and stay still like I'm a prop, and I wait until they come a bit closer and if the dog seems okay, one of my favourite lines to say in the Dalek voice is 'what is this creature on the lead?'. "If they say that's their dog, I then say: 'I was not talking to you'."The Daleks have helped generate publicity for charities including Emmaus, which works to end homelessness, and Waveney Enterprises, which provides a space for people with learning disabilities to express themselves through craft and life skills, and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this Casto said he had no plans to make any further Daleks - instead those he already has will be put to good use at events and organisations across the of them will be at a children's event at Latitude Festival in Suffolk in July. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

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