THERE are many Doctor Who fans who would give their right arm to appear in the show - but three Gwent friends will be giving up their hair instead.

The men, experts in Tae kwon do and kick boxing, are to use their skills in an upcoming episode of the classic show - and some of their martial arts friends have been roped in to play other parts.

But first David Jennings, Rob Taylor and Richard Carpenter must have their heads shaved, so they can play Shaolin monks.

David Jennings, 36, is looking forward to his new role. He says: "I watched Doctor Who as a child, but never thought I would be in an episode. Tom Baker was Doctor Who then and he was really good."

David, from Caerwent, is a third degree black belt in both kick boxing and Tae kwon do. He has been practising martial arts for 14 years and teaches for 18 hours a week, in Risca, Cwmbran and Pontypool, as well as training for another six.

He is not too worried about losing his hair.

"It will be strange, but could be worse, and at least we'll be getting paid for it," he says.

Rob Taylor, 30, of Abertillery, says: "This is something unusual that we could never see ourselves doing, but we are looking forward to it.

"I'm not too bothered about losing my hair."

Richard Carpenter, 20, of Ebbw Vale, says: "I'm really looking forward to it. This could be the big break I've been looking for to showcase my skills to a wider audience."

Another two, Pete Newman, of Ebbw Vale, and Stephen Gifford, of Abertillery, are getting to keep their hair, as they will be playing farm hands in the episode, with John Jones, his 16-year-old son John and friend Alex Price called up as reserves.

The men are all members of the Korean Kickboxing Association of Wales and practise together. To get their parts they had to attend an audition.

David says: "We had to demonstrate our kicking, flexibility and gymnastic ability. We even had to show off our acting skills, not that I have any."

They will now be rehearsing for their roles before filming the episode over three days late this month and early October.

They have not yet learnt the plot of the episode, but have been told they will be protecting something from attack.

David says: "I will be getting all my friends to watch it. I don't know yet if I will meet the Doctor."

The new series of Doctor Who, starring David Tennant and Billie Piper, is being filmed around Cardiff and Newport and is due for broadcast next spring.