Doctor Who actor reprises vintage villain for unexpectedly fun charity cameo

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Christmas is often a cozy time for family, relaxation, and enjoying good food, but it’s also a season known for generosity and giving to others.

Dean Hollingsworth, known for his role in Doctor Who, recently brought back a lesser-known villain from the show’s history to help raise money for charity during the holidays.

Actor Peter Hollingsworth, known for his role as a Karfelon android in the 1985 Doctor Who episode ‘Timelash’, is helping to raise money for the Guernsey Cheshire Care Home. He’s aiming to collect £1,250 as part of a community fundraising effort.

He did it by painting himself blue, dressing up as his robot character, and bravely taking part in the annual Boxing Day swim at Cobo Bay in Guernsey yesterday, December 26th.

More than four decades after first appearing on television as the iconic android – known for its blue face and yellow hair – the actor participated in a charity swim, joining many others braving the sea.

Guernsey Cheshire Care Home announced that the Doctor Who actor said he thought his outfit was perfect for the Boxing Day swim.

Since he hasn’t swum in the sea after September and this is his first time swimming on Boxing Day, he might not need to wear the blue makeup.

After the swim, it was reported that Hollingsworth successfully stayed underwater for an impressive 12 minutes while acting as the android.

The Karfelon Android’s appearance at our 25th anniversary event perfectly captured the fun and energy that our community enjoys so much, according to organizers.

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

Fans can still donate here.

Last year’s Boxing Day Dip raised over £12,000 for charity, according to the event organizers who spoke with BBC News.

Rob Shepherd, the chairman of the Guernsey Cheshire Home, expressed his delight at the ongoing support they’ve received.

He explained that the funds raised will allow them to continue providing essential care for a long time to come.

Hollingsworth portrayed an android in the Doctor Who story, Timelash, appearing with Colin Baker as the Doctor. The story begins with the Sixth Doctor and Peri Brown (played by Nicola Bryant) arriving on the planet Karfel, a world governed by the cruel and oppressive ruler, Borad. Borad maintains control through identical blue androids who enforce his harsh laws.

Besides appearing in Timelash, Hollingsworth also played a robot bus conductor in The Greatest Show in The Galaxy, alongside Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor.

He’s also appeared in the TV show Casualty and is now working on projects with local film and theater groups.

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Doctor Who is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

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Authors

Minnie WrightDigital Growth and Acquisitions Lead

Minnie Wright leads digital growth and acquisitions at TopMob. She previously worked in the entertainment industry – covering TV, film, and music – for a large national publication, and holds a degree in Popular Music Journalism.

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2025-12-27 15:08