A former Doctor Who will be regenerating just in time to join some fellow TV favourites at a special Easter instalment of Nerd Fest.
The popular event, often held at The Boiler Shop in Newcastle, will be taking place in April at Gateshead International Stadium with a line-up of very special guests as well as movie memorabilia, props and cosplay competitions. Stars of the show there on Easter Saturday will include Sylvester McCoy who played the seventh Doctor Who.
Joining the actor on the day will be 90s Gladiator favourite Jet – Diane Youdale – and the memorable children’s character Zippy from Rainbow. And there will be plenty more on the day’s programme including the Transformers Bumblebee and Knight Rider cars; Doctor Who’s enemy the Daleks, plus Star Wars characters.
As previously reported, Nerd Fest was initially launched by Tynemouth fan of retro Michael Henderson on the back of the popularity of the Nerd Arcade he opened in Felling High Street with pal friend Michael Coxon in 2021. Realising it filled a niche in the market, they came up with the idea of the Nerd Fest events to satisfy demand.
Their shop, described as ‘gloriously geek’, ran for almost four years before closing in September and offered people the opportunity to play retro games for free. These games now feature as a regular part of Nerd Fest events which always raise money for local children’s charity Cash for Kids.
They have attracted a whole host of famous faces with previous special guests including the likes of Alien v Predator and Games of Throne actors while other highlights have included vehicles such as a Jurassic Park jeep; Ghostbusters car the Ectomobile and The Back To The Future DeLorean time machine. The Easter Nerd Fest fundraiser, taking place on April 19, will add plenty more to the mix.
Its video game collection from across the decades will include including a Star Wars Pod Racer which Michael is expecting to be a big hit. There will be film sets, stalls, a range of movie characters and a Mister Twister magician. Alongside Zippy will be puppeteer Ronnie Le Drew who also operated Sooty and Sweep and they will be coming along too, no doubt sparking plenty childhood memories among the adults.
Former Doctor Who McCoy will be a main draw, having first played the Time Lord in the long-running BBC series in 1987. His was a quirky incarnation which saw his character develop and become increasingly complex over time.
(Image: Nerd Fest)
The Scottish actor, now aged 81, was in the role until the end of 1989 and then made some TV appearances as the character in the nineties including at the start of the 1996 Doctor Who film before the doctor’s regeneration into the eighth version which was played by Paul McGann.
Zippy is enjoying something of a regeneration too thanks to his Nerd Fest outing. The popular puppet – known for being outspoken, boastful and rather naughty – appeared alongside co-stars George, Bungle and Geoffrey in children’s series Rainbow which ran from 1972 until 1992. Puppeteer Le Drew, now aged 77, was the last of three artists to provide Zippy’s voice and was the best-known of all.
Tickets to the Easter Nerd Fest, which will run on the day from 10am until 4pm, cost £10 for adults and £6 for ages 16 and under. Under-fives have free entry.
A family pass is available for £25. All tickets have fees to add. To book see here.
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/nerd-fest-bring-former-doctor-31182152
