WATCH: I-so-late! Dalek patrols Black Country street to uplift people's spirits amid coronavirus
A famous Doctor Who villain is patrolling a street in the Black Country to ensure coronavirus is "exterminated".
The classic-style Dalek, which has been seen on High Park Crescent in Sedgley, is being used by fan Gavin Priest to help uplift people's spirits.
And instead of its usual catchphrase, the iconic villain is promoting coronavirus guidance – including telling people to isolate.
Watch Gavin's Dalek in action:
Gavin said: "I'm a big Doctor Who fan and it was always my life's ambition to own a Dalek.
"I got my hands on one a few years ago and the road I'm on is quiet and flat – so it's been fun to go out in it.
"It's motorised so you're sitting on a chair and then operating the rest of it – like the eye stalk and gun – and there's a voice modulator in it too.
"So it alters your voice as you talk and the dome lights flash as well.
"It's been saying 'isolate, isolate' or 'stay alert' – I didn't want to preach the rules to people. It's just a bit of fun.
"I've said to some people the virus might be exterminated and that it's a message from Dalek command.
"People have just been smiling at it – it's a bit of fun and it's an excuse for me to indulge in what I love."
The villain has been praised by Doctor Who stars Colin Baker, who played the sixth incarnation of The Doctor, and Terry Molloy who starred as Dalek creator Davros.
The heating engineer, who runs his own business Safe Heat Gas & Plumbing, had help from a customer to motorise it.
The 49-year-old spent £1,200 initially on the Dalek but has since paid out more to tweak and improve it.
More Covid-19 coverage:
"One of my customers helped me put a motorised wheelchair in it so you don't have to 'Flinstones' it," he said.
"We talked about it a year or so ago and this year I promised to get in touch with him – I did and he welcomed the challenge."
Mr Priest, a former Blast Off DJ in Wolverhampton, said his favourite Doctor was Tom Baker – with his favourite story being Genesis of the Daleks.
"My first doctor was Tom Baker, so in the late 70s, and it was one of my earliest memories of being scared of the Daleks – scared of them floating up the stairs," he said.
"But when you own one you kind of release it's too wide to get through a normal door."
The 49-year-old added: "Most people know what it is and whilst your vision is a little restricted, people still back off from it.
"People think I'm a bit crazy to own one or two but at the end of the day if you go to sell it they retain their value.
"I'm obsessive about getting the voice right – some people go fishing and I do this. Whatever floats your boat."
