Dawkins to appear in 'Doctor Who'

Best-selling writer Professor Richard Dawkins will appear in the current series of Doctor Who as himself, according to reports.

Showrunner Russell T Davies revealed the casting of the popular author and biologist to The Independent and spoke of the impact of Dawkins's presence during filming. "People were falling at his feet," said Davies. "We've had Kylie Minogue on that set, but it was Dawkins people were worshipping. He has brought atheism proudly out of the closet!"

Dawkins, whose non-fiction books include The Selfish Gene, lived up to his eccentric persona according to Davies: "He was as mad and as barking as you'd want him to be." Dawkins is also married to Lalla Ward, who played the second incarnation of companion Romana in the classic series of Doctor Who and starred opposite her former husband Tom Baker.

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