Doctor Who mega fan Chris Balcombe brings Dalek props to special filming of Bargain Hunt
A LOCAL Doctor Who devotee has taken what is thought to be the oldest surviving BBC Dalek prop to the filming of TV show Bargain Hunt.
Chris Balcombe brought two Dalek props from his Dibden home to South Wales to appear in a special episode of the show celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Doctor’s first TV outing.
Semi-retired photographer Chris operated and voiced one of the Daleks for the filming, chasing around host Eric Knowles saying “exterminate the presenter” until he takes refuge in the TARDIS.
Eric interviewed Chris about his Doctor Who props collection, including alien outfits, robot masks and three Dalek props from the show’s earliest days.
Chris (63) said: “It was a fun weekend of filming, although the interview with my props nearly didn't happen, as we had to get the two Daleks through two parish hall doorways that hadn't been measured correctly beforehand.
“But with some careful lifting and pushing, they just squeezed through.”
He added: “The original studio props weren't built to have their base and skirt sections dismantled – everything is firmly joined together.
“The middle section of my old Dalek is from what’s thought to be the very first Dalek, built in 1963.
“The skirt section – covered in hemispheres – is from another Dalek made in 1965.
“There isn't enough space inside for me to operate that one, so I took along my replica 1970s Dalek, which starred in a KitKat advert in 2001.”
Chris said climbing into the Dalek and pushing it along with his feet was “not as easy” as it used to be.
He added: “I have a microphone linked to a voice modulator so the crackling Dalek voice I barked out was recorded live as I trundled after Eric.”
Chris also took along an original 1970s Voc Robot head and tunic, which featured in the episode The Robots of Death, plus an original Cyberman outfit and armour.
Chris said: “As Eric Knowles was dressed as the seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy, I loaned him my question mark umbrella to complete the look, plus a sonic screwdriver.”
Host Eric said: “It was wonderful to see Chris’s amazing Doctor Who collection. I’ll never forget being pursued by a Dalek. It really made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.
“Having watched the first episode of Doctor Who as a 10-year-old in 1963, it’s great to be celebrating Doctor Who’s anniversary on Bargain Hunt and sharing the love of this programme with super fans.”
The Doctor Who Bargain Hunt episode will air on BBC1 on Thursday 23rd November at 12.15pm.