They’ve played some weird and wonderful characters over the years but this weekend they’ll be stepping out from behind the masks to meet fans.

Sci-fi fans are in for a treat as the Medway Comic and Screen Festival celebrates comics and all things big and small screen at Medway Park on Saturday, April 1.

Visitors can meet some famous names and faces from the comic and screen world.

There will be photo shoots, autograph sessions and stalls full of memorabilia, as well as the chance to meet comic creators and try retro gaming.

There’s also wrestling on offer, as competitors bid to be crowned the first MCSF wrestling tournament champion.

Star Wars fans will be able to meet some big names including Dave Prowse, who played Darth Vader, Jeremy Bulloch who was Boba Fett, Paul Blake, who played Greedo, and Tim Rose, who was Admiral Ackbar.

Game of Thrones will be represented with Ian Gilder and Ian Hanmore, while Doctor Who will be well remembered with Eighties Doctor Colin Baker and Dan Starkey, who was in the BBC show in 2005.

Chad Rook, whose credits include The Flash, Timeless, I Zombie, and Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes, will also be there.

Fans will be able to meet the stars and in some cases get a sci-fi selfie.

A DARTH DECISION

If Dave Prowse had taken up George Lucas’s first offer, all sci-fi history would have been changed.

After auditioning in 1977 for his up and coming film, Star Wars – which was at the time not expected to do too well at the box office – the 6ft 7in former Mr Universe contestant was offered the part of Chewbacca, but instead plumped for Darth Vader. And there, as they say, history was made.

Dave may not have voiced the role, as that was done by American actor James Earl Jones, but he has since forever been linked with the franchise, which did, in fact, do quite well at the box office.

It wasn’t his only famous role – he was also the Green Cross Code Man in adverts in the 1970s, a superhero designed to teach children about road safety, a role he reprised three years ago briefly. He was also in A Clockwork Orange before he landed the role in Star Wars.

During his weightlifting days, he became friends with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno, who later played the Incredible Hulk.

He had a gym in London, which was later run by his brother Bob, who now runs his own gym in Armstrong Road, Maidstone.

He also famously trained Christopher Reeve for the title role in the first Superman movie (1978). Dave is due to meet visitors at the festival. It will cost £30 for an autograph.

DOCTOR, DOCTOR

Former Doctor Who Colin Baker may have an army of sci-fi fans himself, but he has been a fan of the genre himself his whole life.

Colin, 73, who played the sixth incarnation of Doctor Who from 1984 to 1986, said: "I've always been keen on sci-fi things. I remember listening to Journey Into Space on the radio.

I was the kind of person who was a fan of these things when I was very small."

It may be 30 years since he took to our screens as the Doctor, but attending conventions such as this weekend's in Medway is still something he is keen to do - and something he expected long ago.

"When I got the job as the Doctor, I was taken upstairs at the BBC and it was impressed on me that I did realise that my life wouldn't be my own for a few years," he said.

Of the current speculation for the next Doctor, he said: "The BBC like to do the secrecy thing. I would like them to pick a woman. I don't think they will though."

Although Colin will not be getting into costume at this weekend's festival, he's looking forward to being transformed into a demon in a horror film later this year.

"Playing a demon is something I've always wanted to do," he said. "I've tried the make-up out and there will be lots of it. I love to get into costume when I'm playing the part, but I'm happy to leave others to get dressed up this weekend."

Colin is also scheduled to attend this weekend's festival.

DETAILS

The Medway Comic and Screen Festival will be held at Medway Park in Gillingham on Saturday, April 1.

It is open from 10am to 5pm. Tickets cost £10 and £6 for children up to the age of 14.
For more details go to mcsf.co.uk

* All events are subject to change and cancellation due to stars' work commitments.