HE may not be arriving in the TARDIS but there will be a fitting special guest descending on Ashton-under-Lyne for the town’s next Sci-Fi Day.
Phil Collinson, the producer of the popular long-running BBC series Doctor Who, will join the Hyde Fundraisers group for the July 6 event.
He’s just finished production on the second series of the show starring Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor.
Hyde Fundraisers have previously worked with Collinson, to supply Daleks for the Channel 4 drama It’s A Sin – which is also written by Doctor Who head writer Russell T Davies.
Phil, from Manchester, produced the Doctor Who series starring Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant before returning for the 60th anniversary last year and the new series.
Amongst his other credits include Coronation Street, Good Omens and Gentleman Jack.
Indeed, former Corrie actress Millie Gibson, from Broadbottom in Tameside, plays companion Ruby Sunday in the new series, currently being screened on BBC One.
Phil will be joining the Hyde Fundraisers, which is celebrating almost 40 years of raising money for good causes.
Steve Haines, from the group, said: “We are delighted to welcome Phil to Ashton on July 6 to see first hand the great work our volunteers do every year to support BBC Children In Need and other charities.”
Ashton Sci-Fi Day takes place on Saturday, July 6, from 11am until 3pm – with the support of Arcades Shopping Centre, Ladysmith Shopping Centre, Ashton Market and Ashton Town Team.