Most of our readers tend to only know about David Tennant onwards. What made you want to write about the first Doctor, William Hartnell?

I like the first Doctor because he is a bit of a grump. Subsequent Doctors became more chipper and almost childlike and I found the first Doctor interesting because he was not so developed and I could have a little leeway with the character.

If you were the Doctor, who would you want as your companion?

I would like to take Gene Hunt from Life on Mars because he would take no cheek from no one and could protect me while I ponder quantum puzzles. I would enjoy listening to him shout: "Shut it, you tart" a dozen times a day.

Which Doctor Who monster are you most scared of?

I am not really scared of any of them to be honest. It's just TV - they're not real. I have known this since my early 30s.

What would you do with a sonic screwdriver in your day-to-day life?

I believe sonic is the best way to clean your teeth so I would whiten my molars until the glare would blind an owl.

Which book did you last have recommended to you?

A friend of mine recommended the comic book We 3 by Grant Morrison and artist Frank Quitely which is totally brilliant. So I am now recommending it to you.

What was your favourite book when you were younger?

I have always loved Stig of the Dump I think reading that book made me officially realise that I was a reader.

What was the last thing that made you laugh aloud?

I went to a Tenacious D gig and guffawed for the entire time. Luckily most of the audience were doing the same thing.

Where do you most like to write?

I have a lovely office in the garden with reflective glass so I can make faces at my kids and they can't see me. It's very therapeutic.

If you could travel in time, where would you go first?

I would go to 1970s London and go and see all my favourite musicians like David Bowie, Queen and Pink Floyd.

Where is the weirdest place you've been?

I once went to a restaurant in Trinidad and ate shark and chips. Then we went on an all-night parade where people threw paint at each other. Weird but fun.

What one piece of advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Put your bum on that seat and write. There's no point boring everyone for years talking about this book you are going to write. Do it, you tart.

When is your favourite time in history?

The best time is always now. Unless you have a splinter or a nasty cough, then the best time is in about a week.

What are you planning on writing next?

I am planning to write about 50 Christmas cards including one to Kate Bush on the off-chance that she will reply. After that I will finish the final edits to my next book, The Reluctant Assassin, which is about an assassin who is slightly reluctant. It's ok to be reluctant if you are a shop assistant but as an assassin it is a real drawback.