It was a muggy, autumnal afternoon for the height of August. A damp chill in the air breezed past me as I found the villain’s flat. The words “underground” and “layer” sprang to mind. I approached, nervously. “Pleased to mee-ee-eet you!” crackled the Dalek’s voice as I entered the abode. He was in character. The voice modulator whirred and clicked. “Milk and shug-ar?” he asks, and we settle down to a cup of tea.
 | | Dialling the numbers can be a bit tricky |
Dale Who, as he’s known in the business, has been working the convention and exhibition circuit of Who mania for about eight years now. He’s a veritable fountain of Doctor-related knowledge, and has established himself as quite a pro. Becoming a Baddie How did he get into it? “Well, I was mad enough to volunteer, at first,” Dale tells me as we sip tea in the Time Lord’s HQ. “It just sort of went from there.” I wonder what kind of qualities make a good Dalek. “I’d say conviction, projection… being very annoying and intensely loud,” Dale muses. “Oh, and a certain hatred for humanity always helps.” A Dalek Obsession
 | | You can't exterminate forever. |
Sitting between a Tardis, K-9, a Christopher Eccleston doll and this surprisingly friendly Dalek, I wonder if this is now something of an obsession. “Oh, definitely,” Dale assures me. “Doctor Who is unique – different from other sci-fi stuff. I mean come on – it’s one man in a British police box with a side kick – it’s hardly Battlestar Gallactica!” But there must be something about Doctor Who that pulls in so many die-hard fans such as Dale. Last summer he spent six sweltering months of ten hour days working as the Dalek on the Brighton Pier exhibit. An entire season of extermination. Brilliant Fun What’s it like, being a Dalek? “It’s brilliant fun!” Dale exclaims, “really cathartic. If I’m ever in a bad mood or stressed I just channel it into the Dalek. It’s the best fun ever!” | "I'm definately hooked. Dr. Who is unique. I mean come on – it’s one man in a British police box with a side kick – it’s hardly Battlestar Gallactica!" | | Dale Who, professional Dalek |
After the Pier experience, Dale is taking a break from extermination. He now works in a callcentre. Has he fallen on hard times? “Oh, no, not at all!” Dale tells me. “The people I call are very nice – they fear ex-terrr-min-ation.” Visions of ‘the Dialling Dalek’ spring to mind. It can’t be easy, with only a sink plunger and an egg-whisk gun for arms. “Oh, we get by,” Dale laughs. I’m slightly alarmed at wondering exactly how this earth-destroying villain did make my cup of tea, but he’s so nice it doesn’t really matter. And it tastes good, too. | 
