There are not many people in the country who own and can build a TARDIS (yes, the big blue box from Doctor Who). And there definitely aren't many, if any, who can say they've assembled one while on Snowdon. But, as the show celebrates its 60th anniversary, one Islander stands proud knowing he is one of a few that can, and have.

By day, Roy Spearman, from Carisbrooke, is an office manager for a goods repair company, but in his spare time, is known by some as a TARDIS wrangler.

To most, that term will mean nothing. To Roy, it is a "dubious honour" bestowed on him for his work on Doctor Who productions.

"It means I have the knowledge of how to put a TARDIS together, from a put it up, take it down and transport it point of view", Roy, 48, said.

"There are hundreds of TARDIS' in the UK owned by fans but there aren't many which can be taken to events and put up quickly and easily.

"I can have her up within 30 to 40 minutes."

Isle of Wight County Press: The Old Girl at Fan TC Con in 2019.The Old Girl at Fan TC Con in 2019. (Image: Roy Spearman)

Isle of Wight County Press: TARDIS signed by the DoctorsTARDIS signed by the Doctors (Image: Roy Spearman)

Roy came across his big blue box, which, for those who don't watch the show, is what the Doctor uses to travel through space and time, during the inception of the Island's Fan TC Con.

As an organiser, Roy wanted a TARDIS at the event and so contacted someone on Facebook, who brought theirs from Bristol.

As the event drew to a close, the owner pulled Roy aside and asked whether he wanted to keep it.

"So, as all good Whovians would, I jumped at the opportunity", he told the County Press.

She is known as The Old Girl, which is how the Doctor has previously referred to her on screen.

But Roy also has another name for her: "I refer to her as a flatpack TARDIS, or sometimes an IKEA TARDIS, because she's held together by stage pins!".

When she's not being transported to the next event, The Old Girl can be found, disassembled, in Roy's garage.

Of course, being home to a TARDIS wrangler isn't the only link between the show and the Isle of Wight.

Cameras filmed in areas including Bembridge and Priory Bay for an episode of the ninth season, starring Jon Pertwee, which saw alien species The Sea Devils descend from the depths.

Isle of Wight County Press: From left: Roy Spearman as the Brigadier and Julian Clarke as a Sea Devil.From left: Roy Spearman as the Brigadier and Julian Clarke as a Sea Devil. (Image: Roy Spearman)

Isle of Wight County Press: The Old Girl at SnowdonThe Old Girl at Snowdon (Image: Roy Spearman)

Since Roy "inherited" The Old Girl, she has been used twice by the BBC. She featured in the extras section on the DVD release of the animated series, The Abominable Snowmen, which saw Roy credited as a TARDIS wrangler.

"I had the fun job of taking her to Snowdon and building her on the side of a mountain", he said.

The following year, The Old Girl also starred in a documentary on the Blu ray release of season 22, which sees former Doctor, Colin Baker and companion, Nicola Bryant revisit some of the series' filming locations.

On that occasion, Roy assembled her in a farmer's field in Petersfield.

And if starring with a former Doctor wasn't enough, The Old Girl has even been signed by all-but-three incarnations.

This includes David Tennant, who returns to the role this weekend, and Tom Baker, who Roy calls "his" Doctor.

Next on his radar is Ncuti Gatwa, who takes over after the three upcoming specials.

Isle of Wight County Press: Filming in Petersfield with Nicola Bryant and Colin Baker.Filming in Petersfield with Nicola Bryant and Colin Baker. (Image: Roy Spearman)

Isle of Wight County Press: From left: Dale_K and The Old Girl at charity, MAD Aid's end of summer event.From left: Dale_K and The Old Girl at charity, MAD Aid's end of summer event. (Image: Roy Spearman)

Such is his love for the series, Roy also owns a Dalek, which he bought on eBay and named, Dale_K.

Roy said he doesn't charge for his TARDIS to appear at events, but he does take a donation bucket to raise money for the Isle of Wight MS Society.

As for the upcoming specials, Roy said: "I'm very excited to see where they're going to go with it next!"