The Doctor is coming to Liverpool and the Time Lord’s latest incarnation says Who fans should prepare themselves for some pyrotechnics.

Matt Smith will be right at the heart of the action when Dr Who Live arrives at the ECHO arena next month.

Alas, for dedicated Whovians out there, the 27-year-old Doctor won’t be making a personal appearance at the waterfront venue, although he will be in the audience for the tour’s opening night at Wembley.

But he’s convinced the show will be nothing short of spectacular.

“I think it’s a brilliant idea – it’s going to be really exciting for the audience and particularly the kids,” he enthuses.

“It will be packed full of pyrotechnics, special effects and surprise appearances from monsters all around the auditorium.

“I’m not appearing in person on stage purely because logistically it wouldn’t work. I’m in the middle of filming the new series in Cardiff so I can’t be in two places at once!

“However, the team has come up with an ingenious way of enabling the Doctor to still be part of the show and I’ve filmed specially shot scenes which will be integrated with the action.

“It’s going to be a great event with a live band playing Murray Gold’s music on stage which has been specially arranged for the show.

“There’s also going to be lots of interaction with the audience and the Doctor plays a crucial part in the plot – I don’t want to give too much away, but the Doctor needs the audience’s help.”

What we do know is that it opens in wartime London and concludes in an epic onstage battle, while audiences should expect appearances from arch-enemies the Daleks alongside the Cybermen, Weeping Angels, Judoon and Ood.

It will also feature The Young Ones’ Nigel Planer who will play the part of Vorgenson – an ‘inter-galactic showman’ who is the Doctor’s biggest fan.

The show is directed by Maghull-born Will Brenton, and comes from the pen of executive producer Steven Moffat.

And while he may not make it to Liverpool this time, Matt reveals that his last foray to the Mersey – four years ago when he shot his first TV role, in Ruby in the Smoke down at the Stanley Dock – was more “time please” than Time Lord.

“Liverpool was great,” he reminisces. “We filmed down by the docks, went for a pint, and it’s a city that loves its football so I felt completely at home.”

It’s been something of a meteoric rise since that first appearance – opposite, ironically, previous Doctor companion Billie Piper, with acclaimed performances on stage (Swimming With Sharks, The History Boys) and screen (Party Animals, Secret Diary of a Call Girl).

But the University of East Anglia-educated actor has become a household name with this latest role.

Interestingly, while the rest of us were hiding behind the sofa on Saturday evenings (I spent many a teatime in the company of Tom Baker and his woolly scarf), Matt never watched Dr Who as a child.

But that wasn’t because he disliked the show.

“I was part of that barren period when it wasn’t on air,” he says. “I was obviously aware of it though, as it’s ingrained in the fabric of our society.”

Now though since he got the coveted role of the 11th Doctor, the Northampton-born actor – who was heading for a career as a professional footballer until a serious back injury ended his dreams – has been swotting up on the history of the character.

He laughs: “My general knowledge about Doctor Who is fairly good but I wouldn’t dare say I’m expert yet!

“I’ve loved playing the Doctor and the fans have been really positive. They’re just very passionate about Doctor Who which is a good thing as they form part of the lifeblood of the show.

“I do definitely get recognised in the street more now but it’s part and parcel of being part of something so huge. It’s the Doctor they are interested in rather than me.”

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