A DOCTOR Who actor who shaved off his gig-winning beard in Malmesbury raised more than £1,000 for dementia research.

Darren Whiting, 45, a web content editor at Dyson, shaved off his 4-year-old beard that landed him his dream role in Dr Who for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

In doing so he raised £1,210 for the charity, almost five times his original target of £250.

The television and film extra has been growing his facial hair in the hope of getting more extra parts.

While it was a successful move, with the Dyson employee winning roles in Doctor Who, Poldark and Galavant thanks to the beard, he decided it was time to get the chop for charity.

Darren was given a clean shave on February 26 at Dyson in Malmesbury and was cheered on by colleagues.

After seeing the devastating impact of dementia in his own family Darren decided to raise money for Alzheimer's Research UK, and with huge support of his family, friends and colleagues, Darren raised nearly five times his original target.

The money from the event will be added to the total raised by Dyson people for Alzheimer's Research UK.

Since 2015, the technology company has been supporting the dementia research charity, raising more than £158,000 in the process.

Darren said: “I’ve been so overwhelmed by the support. I wasn’t expecting to raise so much.

"A decade ago my great Aunt Mavis sadly lived with Alzheimer’s and that was the first time I saw it for myself, it was devastating.

"I know we’ve been making great leaps forward with dementia research and I hope my small contribution will help towards getting rid of it for good.”

Vicky Lake, corporate partnerships manager at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: “We are so grateful to Darren for shaving off his beard for dementia research – we couldn’t wait to see the after pictures and they didn’t disappoint, it was such a transformation!

"Darren’s efforts have raised a fantastic amount for Alzheimer's Research UK, which will be a huge help in the fightback against dementia.

"It’s thanks to the support of people like Darren, and companies like Dyson, that we are able to fund the life-changing research that will lead us to a cure for dementia.

"We could not do it without them.”

To support Darren, visit his fundraising page here: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/djdust