Doctor Who fans met actors Sarah Louise Madison, who played a Weeping Angel, Matthew Doman, who has starred as Cybermen and Daleks, and Sean Knopp, who played Paul, at a fundraiser for east Hull's Dove House Hospice.
THEY came in bow ties, brown suits and armed with fully-charged sonic screwdrivers. Hundreds of Doctor Who fans travelled through time and space to the portal known as Hull to meet actors from the popular BBC series.
Just days before the time traveller celebrates 50 years on our screens, a Weeping Angel, a Cyberman and Dalek and the character Paul came to see fans at Paragon Interchange in Hull. Dressed to impress their idols, fans were able to meet Sarah Louise Madison, Matthew Doman and Sean Knopp and at the same time raise money for Dove House Hospice by buying monster and Dalek cookies and cakes.
"I've been a Doctor Who fan since I was ten, but this was the first time I've met someone from the show," said George Curtis, 17, of Thorngumbald. The teenager admitted to being "star-struck" when chatting to Sarah, who played Clara's Time Zombie and a Weeping Angel, and was thrilled Matthew signed his sonic screwdriver.
"I like the show because I love the possibility of going through time and space without any faults and you can do what you want. My favourite Doctor is Matt Smith and I've dressed like him today. I've got lots of memorabilia including character models, sonic screwdrivers, a few Tardises and a Union Jack Dalek."
Matthew Doman, who has played numerous roles, including Daleks and Cybermen, said he enjoyed meeting the dedicated fleet of followers.
"It's been fantastic. There has been a great vibe, a good buzz," he said. "Fans have been telling me they love the show and one said they're throwing a Doctor Who-themed party."
Weeping Angel Sarah Louise Madison signed lots of autographs and posed with her colleagues for photographs. "It has been lovely meeting the fans," she said. "They've told me they really like the Weeping Angels and said I'm their favourite monster, which is great to hear. It is so nice to meet people that enjoy the show so much."
Sean Knopp, who recently played the character Paul, said Saturday's meet and greet was the first signing event he had done.
He said: "I love it when people make an effort – I was impressed with some of the Doctor Who costumes. It makes going to things like this worthwhile and makes the fans really happy.
"I have to admit, before I started, I'd never seen Doctor Who and actor friends said to me once you've been in the show, the fans will support you for a lifetime. I knew it was big before, but now I'm starting to grasp just how big."
The swarms of loyal fans were proof enough the show is still as popular as ever. Rachel Controy, a Hull School of Art and Design student who dressed as the Doctor, was with her friend Hannah Coote, 21, who was in a Mario costume for another event.
Rachel, 21, said: "I've watched the show since I was little, but really got into it when I was a bit older. My favourite Doctor is David Tennant, but I do like Matt Smith as well."
Friends Oliver Glanville, 19, and Katie Aitchison, 18, both of east Hull, dressed as David Tennant and Matt Smith.
Oliver said: "I saw David Tennant when he turned on Blackpool Illuminations but that was very far away. It's great I had the chance to get a bit closer and talk to the actors this time."
The event was organised by Mike Smith, a customer service adviser at the interchange. He said: "The event exceeded expectations."
Katy Wood, a fundraiser for Dove House Hospice said it had been an "absolutely brilliant" event. She said: "Mike has worked tremendously hard for the past two months to put it all together. We're so grateful for all the support we receive.
"I'm really pleased people entered into the spirit of things and dressed up in Doctor Who-themed outfits – I never realised there were so many Doctor Who experts in Hull. We haven't done the final count yet, but hopefully we've raised lots of money, and also awareness of the hospice and what it does."
