Doctor Who actor reprises vintage villain for unexpectedly fun charity cameo

Yes, Christmas can be a time for gathering with loved ones, dozing in front of the TV and excessive quantities of roast potatoes but it's also a time of year for giving.

Doctor Who actor Dean Hollingsworth did just that when he reprised a niche villain from the archives in order to raise money for charity this festive season.

Hollingsworth, who played a Karfelon android in season 22's Timelash (first broadcast in 1985), is part of a big community effort to raise funds for Guernsey Cheshire Care Home – setting himself a target of £1,250.

How? By painting himself blue, recreating his android costume and joining the Skipton Boxing Day Dip at Cobo Bay in Guernsey yesterday (Friday 26th December).

Over 40 years after the actor made his first ever TV appearance as the distinctive android – remembered for its blue face and yellow hair – he joined crowds of swimmers dipping in the sea as part of the charity effort.

An announcement about the special Doctor Who cameo appearance from Guernsey Cheshire Care Home said he felt "this would be an appropriate look for the Boxing Day swim".

"In fact as he has never swum in the sea later than September and as this is his first Boxing Day swim he may not need to wear the blue make up," it said.

A post following the swim said Hollingsworth had managed an impressive 12 minutes in the water as the android.

"Seeing the Karfelon Android make an appearance for our 25th year added exactly the humour and spirit that makes this event so loved by our community," it said.

You can see Hollingsworth braving the bitter temperatures for charity below.

Fans can still donate here.

Organisers told BBC News more than £12,000 had been raised for the charity at last's year's Boxing Day Dip.

Rob Shepherd, chairman of the Guernsey Cheshire Home said he was "thrilled" by the continued support.

"The money raised will make a lasting impact, helping us maintain the vital care we provide," he said.

Hollingsworth played the android in Timelash alongside Colin Baker's Doctor. In the episode, the Sixth Doctor and Peri Brown (Nicola Bryant) arrive on the planet Karfel, which is ruled by the tyrannical and sadistic Borad. On Karfel, the Borad's strict laws are enforced by identical blue androids.

As well as an appearance in Timelash, Hollingsworth also played a robot bus conductor in The Greatest Show in The Galaxy, opposite Sylvester McCoy's Doctor.

His credits also include a role in Casualty and he's currently involved with the local film and theatre scene.

Doctor Who is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

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