THEY were the ultimate malevolent force in the galaxy, sworn enemies of Dr Who and able to strike fear into the hearts of millions by waving an egg whisk and a sink plunger.
But now the Daleks, whose battle cry of "Exterminate" sent an entire generation of children scuttling behind the sofa, have turned 40. To celebrate, BBC Radio 4 is broadcasting My Life As A Dalek at 10.30am tomorrow which will look at everything from their political role to features in Playboy.
Actor John Scott Martin, an original Dalek, appeared in more than 100 episodes of Dr Who.
He will recall how pupils were "genuinely petrified" when he turned up as a Dalek at a school.
He said: "We used to sit inside the costumes, which were incredibly hot, strapped into a seat and move things with our legs.
"They worked fine on the polished floors of the studios, but as soon as we went outside they wouldn't move at all. It wasn't a comfortable job."
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