Doctor Who auction to fire up global interest

From a TARDIS to a Dalek, Doctor Who fans can bid to own a piece of television history as the BBC auctions off props from the cult sci-fi series.

- STORY: JOE JACKSON / AFP

Props from the popular British series Doctor Who at an auction house near London.

The 17-day online auction features items from the modern era of the decades-spanning show, which first appeared on British TV in 1963 and relaunched in 2005 after a 16-year small-screen hiatus.

The longest-running science fiction series by episode numbers, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, it has drawn fans globally after airing in scores of countries over the years.

Memorabilia auctioneers Propstore, managing the sale, anticipate worldwide interest, boosted by Disney+ streaming episodes outside the UK and Ireland since 2023.

“It’s gone absolutely global,” Sian Taylor, a Propstore manager, said of the current popularity of Doctor Who, as the firm previewed some of the items going under the hammer online until Feb 19.