A FIGHT trainer and sportstman who has gone on to become a Hollywood and primetime performer will be starring in a Christmas TV institution.
Spencer Wilding, 39, will be appearing in this year's Doctor Who Christmas Special - although the 6ft 7inch actor and stuntman remained tight-lipped on details of his role, for fear of giving out plot spoilers for what he described as "a real hum-dinger of an episode".
This will be the second time the actor has appeared on the popular BBC sci-fi series, having played the Creature in an episode entitled The God Complex, which was broadcast in September. During filming, the Rhyl hardman worked alongside Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith and companions Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill.
He said: "It's great working with the likes of Matt Smith - he's such a cool Doctor Who. And it's such a great production."
Spen is no stranger to portraying fantastic beasts and monsters, having performed as Benicio del Toro's stunt double in 2010's the Wolfman, a White Walker in the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones and taking the creature performance for superhero crusader Kilowog in The Green Lantern.
He will also be appearing in upcoming releases Wrath of the Titans and Ghost Rider 2.
When asked if he would ever consider donning a costume to double for Father Christmas, Spen replied: “You never know what the future holds in this line of work. If Santa wants a little break, I'm sure I could jump in his red suit.”