When I was eight-years-old a Doctor Who episode scared me so much that I suffered nightmares and promised my grandfather I’d never watch it again.

Now here I am 23 years later bravely staring death in the face as I eyeball the most terrifying Doctor Who baddie of them all – a dastardly dalek.

I’ve joined hordes of geeks who’ve turned out in their droves to bid for a collection of rare Doctor Who props and costumes on sale at Bonhams auction house in Knightsbridge, London.

Before the bids get going the showroom is packed full of a disturbing array of monsters from the cult TV show – as well as a steady trickle of middle-aged men salivating over them.

It’s a sci-fi paradise with 166 glorious lots up for grabs. As well as the daleks and cybermen there is a dinner suit worn by David Tennant and the iconic outfit Kylie Minogue wore in the 2007 Christmas special. They later sell for £5,040 and £3,120 respectively.

As the 2pm auction looms the showroom begins to fill with Doctor Who fans – and yes some of them are wearing anoraks.

Amongst the excited punters grabbing an opportunity to pose with the array of tractators, krolls, mandrells and other creepy sights is 42-year-old Shawn who is keen to have his picture taken with as many props as possible.

Shawn, from Romford is a diehard fan and once owned a Colin Baker outfit which he acquired at an auction in the late 80s for £880.

He has since sold it for a profit – much to the relief of his wife Joanne who is less than enthusiastic about his passion for collecting Doctor Who memorabilia.

“She can’t stand it,” he says. “She thinks I’m mad.” Indeed Joanne has apparently banished all Doctor Who-related tat to the garage.

“She doesn’t like clutter,” Shawn admits, before divulging that he recently dragged his family on a special trip to Cardiff to visit Doctor Who filming locations.

Out comes the camera and Shawn proudly flicks through a series of photos of him recreating Doctor Who moments. There’s Shawn in front of a war memorial, in a residential street and, err, in front of a bush.

“This is just showing how sad I am,” he says sheepishly. “This is me stood in front of some twigs. The picture I was trying to replicate was of Martha and the Doctor. I took a screen grab off the DVD but I don’t think my picture looks right. I couldn’t find the right twigs!”

If Shawn is looking embarrassed his dad Warren has another revelation.

“I don’t think he’s told you, but he’s got a tattoo,” he reveals.

Shawn reluctantly rolls up his sleeve to reveal his body art – a tattoo of a Doctor Who question mark on his arm.

But Shawn is not alone. He gets chatting to Matt, 27, who he may know on Facebook through their mutual love of the show.

Matt, from Ipswich, is also potty about the Doctor and is here to bid for anything that has been worn by David Tennant.

“If I go to conventions I dress as the tenth doctor as people say I’ve got a resemblance to David Tennant,” he reveals proudly.

“I’ve even had brown and blue pinstripe suits specially made, I have a brown full length coat and I live in converse trainers.”

Do the ladies love it?

“Yes,” he grins, before revealing he met his girlfriend (or should that be companion?) Leanne at one such convention while dressed as David.

Tennant-isms like ‘Brilliant!’ “Oh yes!” and ‘Well!” trip off his tongue and he has the pose down to a tee.

It’s just a shame that David Tennant’s doctor has now regenerated into the one portrayed by Matt Smith.

“You’re going to have to have surgery now,” I inform him. “You need a wider face and bigger hair.”

Next I meet Martin, 31. He’s here with his girlfriend Catherine, 33, who bought tickets to the auction as a Valentine’s present.

Just how obsessed are they? Martin proves that actions speak louder than words by reaching into his pocket to reveal a replica sonic screwdriver.

It’s from Toys R Us and doubles up as an ultraviolet pen. Nifty!

A discussion about Doctor Who old and new ensues. They admit to sobbing side by side when David Tennant played out his last scenes on New Years Day.

“At first you were resistant to the new series weren’t you?” Martin says to Catherine, who giggles when I ask what they both do.

“Software development,” she says.

“We’re stereotypes!” Martin grimaces.

Although they laugh off suggestions that they could name their first born after a Doctor Who character they do have a friend who named his cat after the Face of Boe.

As the auction gets underway the showroom is packed out and the bidding furious.

One big bidder Simon, 44, makes a gallant attempt to snap up a black imperial dalek, finally losing out to a mystery phone bidder who pays a staggering £17,000 – and that’s before taxes and commission.

However Simon is vindicated scooping a cyberman costume for a pricey £8,400 later on.

So why would a grown man want such a trophy?

“I grew up in Australia and I used to rush home from school to watch Doctor Who,” he says. “I like anything to do with my past. I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, this is my only vice.”

I am distracted by Alan Jones from North Wales grappling with a Plasmaton costume which he is taking home in return for £336.

“Thankfully it’s quite light,” he says as he staggers off to flag down a taxi.

Next I spot Matt from earlier who is thrilled after paying £1260 for a pale blue Uni Qlo shirt.

“It’s David Tennant’s,” he says. “The price kept going up and up but I really wanted it. I’m going to frame it!”

Meanwhile Darren Elliott, 37, is also delighted with his ‘bus conductor head’ and ‘mongolian costume’ which cost him a combined total of £1188.

“I have a replica Dalek at home,” he says. “I sound like a complete anorak but I do have a girlfriend! She likes to encourage me and has let me take over an entire bedroom of our house.”

So does he actually dress up in this stuff?

“No,” he scoffs. “But did you see that rubber mask that went for about £4,000? It does make you wonder who bought it. I think there’s a gimp in the making.” Eww.

Darren turns to join a huddle of men. “Do you know a good dalek restorer?” one asks.

Now where’s that blinking Tardis when I need it?