Sly once stuffed ferrets in his trousers
TV SUN EXCLUSIVE
A ZANY Scot who used to make a living by stuffing ferrets down his trousers is the new Doctor Who.
Unknown Sylvester McCoy is the shock choice for the role of the BBC's time-travelling doctor when the series returns this autumn.
He takes over from Colin Baker, who was axed last year after criticising BBC 1 controller Michael Grade's decision to shelve the long-running sci-fi adventure.
McCoy, 43, beat hundreds of hopefuls for the role—including Emmerdale Farm star Frazer Hines, who once played the doctor's assistant.
Former doctor Jon Pertwee was also tipped to play the part again.
Pint-sized McCoy—he is only 5ft 6in—has hardly been seen on TV.
He played layabout Turps in the off-beat radio comedy Big Jim And The Figaro Club.
He was in the West End musicals Starlight Express and The Pirates Of Penzance.
NAILS
McCoy's first showbiz job was putting ferrets down his trousers and sticking 3in nails up his nose as he toured clubs and pubs in the Ken Campbell Road Show.
McCoy—real name, Patrick Kent-Smith—was working in a theatre box office when Campbell spotted him.
He says: "It was a dream, looning around and being paid for it."
Before that, he trained to be a priest at a Scottish seminary until a superior told him: "You should be on the stage."
Bonnie Langford will again play Dr Who's assistant when filming starts next month.
McCoy is the seventh Doctor Who, following William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison and Colin Baker.
Caption: SYLVESTER McCOY Trained to be a priest
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