Aisling Bea had limited Doctor Who knowledge

Aisling Bea “didn’t realise” the Daleks aren’t in every episode of ‘Doctor Who’.

The 37-year-old star appears in the new sci-fi special, ‘Eve of the Daleks’, as storage facility manager Sarah opposite Adjani Salmon as her lovestruck customer Nick, but she admitted she isn’t a big fan of the programme and didn’t know a lot about it.

She said: “I didn’t realise the Daleks aren’t in every episode!”

However, she was drawn to the down-to-earth nature of the story.

She said: “Sarah feels more like me – or at least my stand-up persona – than Aine in 'This Way Up', who is actually quite removed from me.”

Aisling admitted she couldn’t keep a straight face when watching the Daleks in action “especially if they have to go down stairs, with two lads lifting them down and resetting for the next take”.

She added to the new issue of Radio Times magazine: “It was like watching a toddler learn to walk. We almost lost our minds laughing.”

And the comedian praised lead actress Jodie Whittaker for making her feel so welcome.

She said: “For a massive show, it’s actually quite small.

“She powers through dialogue like no one else, these huge monologues that pack in so much plot. Working with her was like moving to a new school and finding the head girl is lovely and wants to be your mate.”

And Aisling was very impressed by the episode’s director, Annette Laufer, who she thought was a very positive influence on the cast.

She said: “I hope she gets sent straight to Marvel after this. Her enthusiasm, excitement and energy bled through the cast.”