An exhibition celebrating 50 years of Doctor Who opens in Bradford today as the half-century of the popular show is marked with a television special on the BBC.

Doctor Who and Me runs at the National Media Museum until February and focuses on the people who have made the long-running show what it is – the loyal fans.

The Media Museum invited Whovians across the world to lend them their favourite pieces of memoribilia and this is what makes up the exhibition.

Last night a preview of the exhibition was held for those fans who had donated items – ranging from knitted Daleks sent all the way from Indiana in the US to board games, annuals, fan artwork and home-made Tardises.

There was also a party open to the public to celebrate the anniversary, with poetry performances and an open-mic event for fans to showcase their own stories, music or verse about Doctor Who.

Meanwhile, thousands of Doctor Who fans descended on east London for a three-day celebration of the show ahead of its 50th anniversary.

Dozens of doctors – in fancy dress from every era – rubbed shoulders with tinfoil cybermen, daleks and endless aliens. Around 24,000 people are expected through the doors of the Excel centre in east London over the weekend for the Official 50th Celebration.

Mike Green, who came dressed as the David Tennant version of the timelord, said: “It’s taken a long time to get the outfit right and I wouldn’t like to say what it cost but I’m on my fifth suit.”

The event includes interviews with dozens of the show’s cast and crew through the years and a chance to go behind the scenes and see how it is made. The current doctor – Matt Smith – who will star in today’s 50th anniversary episode said the fans made him realise how much he will miss the show when he leaves at Christmas.

He said: “I’m going to miss it terribly. I really will miss it, God it’s a really unique rare thing.”