The Kiwi movie-maker, bought the outfit on the internet and keeps it in an easily accessible cabinet at his New Zealand home to show to guests.

The 49-year-old is such a fan of that era of Dr Who that he gave McCoy a role in his prequel movie The Hobbit as wizard Radagast the Brown, which is currently filming.

His shock purchase was revealed by actress Frances Barber, a friend of both men, who saw it with her own eyes.

“Sylvester and I were in Peter’s house and he said: ‘Look in that cabinet,’” she told US magazine Dr Who Insider. “In there was Sylvester’s Dr Who costume. Peter bought it on eBay. Isn’t that wacky?”