The boy who wants to become Doctor Who
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MOST little boys like to dress up as their favourite superhero and act out the role but in Jack Scanlon’s case he wants to become his idol.

The five-year-old, of Greys Road, Henley, likes to pretend he’s Doctor Who.

When he comes home from Sacred Heart Primary School each evening, he puts on a suit and a pair of Converse shoes that he believes transforms him into the TV character.

Jack would like to bag the role for himself when he’s older and he is already well on the way as a member of the Henley Children’s Theatre group.

He models himself on David Tennant, who was the 10th Doctor Who, carefully copying his unusual quiff. Jack says: “He is my favourite doctor because he wears two suits. I wear a different Doctor Who suit each night.


“I would like to play the Doctor when I grow up as all the actors will be dead by then. I want to act like David Tennant.”

Unlike most children who have grown up with the BBC’s popular science fiction show, Jack isn’t scared of the various monsters and aliens that his screen idol has to tackle.

Instead, he waves his sonic screwdriver toy.

His mother Anne Marie, a former actress and stand-up comedian in America, says: “Jack’s a very extrovert child and enjoys performing and dressing up.

“For him, performing is a hobby. He’s really into his clothes — if anything, I can see him getting into fashion. I like clothes too but I’m not a compulsive shopper and couldn’t tell you what the latest fashion trends are, but Jack can.”

Jack, who is also a fan of veteran rock star David Bowie, will be playing a bean in the theatre group’s pantomine Jack And The Beanstalk at the Kenton Theatre in January.

Mrs Scanlon believes acting is good for him.

She says: “It’s great for kids like Jack who are extrovert and get a kick out of performing but it’s not about catching children for the industry.

“It’s about giving them confidence because for shy children it brings a bit out of them. ”