Beeb seeks top screen boffin

The BBC is running a poll to find the nation's favourite fictional scientist.

14:36 12 August 2004

The BBC is running a poll to find the nation's favourite fictional scientist.

Fans of hit shows from the "Muppet Show" to the "X-Files" are being encouraged to vote on the Beeb's cult TV website.

Viewers can cast their vote from a shortlist of ten well known on-screen boffins.

The poll has been organised in association with the British Association for the Advancement of Science to help raise awareness ahead of the Festival of Science, which takes place at the beginning of next month.

Writer Terrance Dicks is the latest in a line of experts to make the case for his choice - "Doctor Who". Dicks has written and edited scripts for the hit show, which is due to return to our screens at Christmas.

The shortlist in full:

Mr Spock - "Star Trek"
Doctor Frankenstein - "Mary Shelly's Frankenstein"
Frank 'N' Furter - "The Rocky Horror Show"
Beaker and Honeydew - "The Muppet Show"
Doctor Strangelove - "Doctor Strangelove"
Q - "James Bond"
The Doctor - "Doctor Who"
Dana Scully - "The X-Files"
Doctor Evil - "Austin Powers"
Doctor Emmett Brown - "Back to the Future"