A TEACHER who is a massive Dr Who fan has been commissioned to write an audio drama as part of the sci-fi series’ 50th anniversary.

Brendan Sheppard, 36, of Gorham Way, St Neots, says he has been watching the programme – which first aired in 1963 – since he was five.

As well as teaching media at The Netherhall School, in Cambridge, he is producer of “Dr Who Online Adventures”, an animated spin-off series for children, the latest of which is due to be launched on May 24.

Mr Sheppard, who is married to Sarah and has three children, all girls, aged 11, seven and four, says he was approached to write something to mark the Doctor’s 50 years of time travel.

He says: “I wrote an hour-long special and then thought this isn’t going to work for animation but will work for audio drama.

“I said I think we should try it and everyone agreed it was a good idea.”

The project, known as One Fine Time Lord, is a partnership between Dr Who Online, the world’s biggest Dr Who website, and Children in Need.

Two radio producers are also on board and it is hoped it will raise £10,000 for the annual appeal.

Set long before the Doctor’s time, it tells the story of Gallifrey, the planet which was home to the Doctor and the Time Lords.

It has been in a political civil war for centuries but one man, the oldest living Time Lord in Gallifreyan history, has finally reached an agreement and the planet is enjoying peace.

However, an evil plot is brewing which could threaten the lives of every Time Lord on the planet. One boy and his family set out to discover the secret behind this plot and in the process unleash the true horror of peace.

Mr Sheppard was the producer and director of the Dr Who DVD range during 13 years working in television, five at the BBC.

Auditions were held in Cambridge last month and there will be a rehearsal followed by two days of recording at the beginning of June. The details are being kept so secret that the person picked to play the lead does not know which character they will be playing.

The drama will be posted on Dr Who Online on Children in Need day in November, ahead of the BBC 50th anniversary episode, due to be shown on BBC One on November 23.

INFORMATION: For the latest on all things Time Lord, you can visit www.drwho-online.co.uk