AN international science fiction convention attracting some of the biggest names in the industry is to return to Southampton in 2019.

The 25th annual Sci-Fi Ball will star Sean Pertwee, who played Alfred Pennyworth in Gotham and is the son of late Doctor Who actor Sean Pertwee.

Dino Fetscher (Stanley the synth) and Lucy Carless (Mattie Hawkins) from the recent critically acclaimed season of Channel 4’s series Humans and Terry Molloy, who was Davros in the classic series of Doctor Who, are also signed up to appear.

Robert Duncan McNeill and Andrew Lee Potts are the latest special guests to be announced. Star Trek fans will remember Robert Duncan McNeill for his role as Tom Paris in Star Trek: Voyager. Andrew Lee Potts is best known for his role as the quirky dinosaur hunting Connor Temple on six seasons of ITV’s British Science Fiction programme Primeval and The Mad Hatter on the SyFy’s mini-series Alice.

The event, in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust, brings together fans of Science Fiction and Fantasy for an out of this world weekend.

On the programme are specially-themed parties every night, a grand banquet with live cabaret from Terry Molloy, an exclusive cocktail party with enormous chocolate fountains, guest panels with stars of both the small and silver screen, fan-built/actual props and sets, autograph and photography sessions, roaming Daleks, fancy dress competitions, table-top gaming, exhibits and games, collectable merchandise and a Sci-Fi pub quiz.

The Sci-Fi Ball is at the Grand Harbour Hotel from February 8 to 10.