THE good guy of the galaxies, Dr Who, received a hero's welcome when he flew into Sydney yesterday.
Dale!: robots and Green Monsters of Death — who appear regularly in the ABC television series - as well as members of the Doctor Who fan club were on hand at Sydney Airport to greet the British actor Tom Baker.
The 45-year-old actor is in Australia to promote the series In which he has starred for the past four years. He will be In Sydney for nine days.
Despite Dr Who being billed as a children's program, It also has a strong following among university students and adults.
But Tom Baker is sceptical about Dr Who's wide appeal.
"Adults watch it because they pretend they understand the program as well as the kids do, but they don't," he said.
To suggestions that students see Dr Who as a form of escapism, he said: "Most students see university as an escape, too.
"There is a tendency in universities to develop cults and I think Dr Who is just another example."
Unmarried
He said he was more interested in appealing to children In the four-to-nine age group.
Since he had been playing the role of Dr Who he had developed a keen interest in children.
"I am fascinated by their reaction to me when they see me in real life."
Asked whether he was married, Mr Baker said: "No. I am not that interested in kids."
Mr Baker is the fourth actor to play Dr Who since the show started In 1964. According to the ABC the show receives more fan mail than any other overseas program.
Caption: Tom Baker, who got a hero's welcome at Mascot yesterday.
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