Young Ones star swaps hippy life for hyperspace in Doctor Who show

Actor Nigel Planer - best known for his role as TV hippy Neil in The Young Ones - is to take centre stage in the new live-action Doctor Who tour.

The hit BBC 1 show is being adapted for the stage in a nine-city tour , which arrives in Glasgow in October, with Daleks and Cybermen.

Now Planer has been unveiled as the star who will act as the production's linchpin, starring as a travelling showman Vorgensen. Planer - whose previous stage successes include Chicago and We Will Rock You - said: "I'm incredibly excited to be joining Doctor Who Live and this role is something of a boyhood dream come true.

"My character Vorgensen, who has been developed specially for the show by Steven Moffat, is the Greatest Showman in the Galaxy and using his incredible invention "The Minimiser' he can make any Doctor Who character appear on stage as part of his travelling show dedicated to his hero."

Matt Smith will appear via filmed sequences which have been made just for the stage show. Renowned illusionists The Twins have devised stunts which will enable a Dalek to be seen flying during the performances.

Scarecrows, Oods and Silurian are also among show favourites to feature. Actor Nick Briggs will also be in the live cast, playing Winston Churchill.