Dalek star is back
- Publication: Daily Express
- Date: 2004-08-10
- Author: Geoff Maynard
- Page: 28
- Language: English
John, 77, all ready to roll again in Dr Who
A VETERAN actor who played a Dalek in 110 episodes of Dr Who is volunteering for the role again - despite being 77.
John Scott Martin is delighted that the metallic monsters will be in the new Dr Who series after furious protests over the BBC's initial decision to drop them.
He hopes he will be given the chance to terrify children by rolling around inside one of the Daleks.
John, recently seen on TV as an elderly athlete in the 118 118 directory inquiries adverts, said: "I loved playing a Dalek in the Seventies. It was quite hard work at times sweating away inside the casing, especially under the hot studio lights, but I'm sure I could still cope.
"I might not be as fit as I was, but I have still got the old razzmatazz. The BBC know my number and it would be fantastic if they called up and asked me to be a Dalek again."
John of Great Maplestead, Essex, was one of four actors who played Daleks between 1964 and 1980. He said: "There was no special technique. You just trampled around and they glided about on three caster wheels - a bit like a supermarket trolley
"We didn't even have to do the Dalek voices because they were dubbed on afterwards.
"They didn't require much strength, but in the beginning they were wooden and they became a bit heavy at the end of the day. You were done for if you had to go into the countryside in a field or woods because they were difficult to move on uneven terrain.
"I would frequently topple over and be left screaming, 'Get me out of this thing!'
"I am glad that they are coming back. They are an integral part of the show"
Caption: HOPES: John wants to be a Dalek again
Caption: TAKING AIM: The Daleks are set to scare young viewers once again
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- APA 6th ed.: Maynard, Geoff (2004-08-10). Dalek star is back. Daily Express p. 28.
- MLA 7th ed.: Maynard, Geoff. "Dalek star is back." Daily Express [add city] 2004-08-10, 28. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: Maynard, Geoff. "Dalek star is back." Daily Express, edition, sec., 2004-08-10
- Turabian: Maynard, Geoff. "Dalek star is back." Daily Express, 2004-08-10, section, 28 edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=Dalek star is back | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Dalek_star_is_back | work=Daily Express | pages=28 | date=2004-08-10 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=2 April 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=Dalek star is back | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Dalek_star_is_back | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=2 April 2025}}</ref>
