'Twilight' star overwhelmed by fan ardor

CHICAGO, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- British actor Robert Pattinson, who plays a vampire in the upcoming film "Twilight," admits he is a bit overwhelmed by the reception he is getting from fans.

Pattinson, who plays teen bloodsucker Edward Cullen in the movie, told the Chicago Tribune, before a mall autograph signing session was set to begin, that many of his young admirers actually ask him to bite them.

"It's crazy," the 22-year-old actor told the newspaper, adding he tries to laugh off the bizarre requests. "Even if you say, 'No,' they just wait. They just stand there."

The Tribune said there was a countdown for the meet-and-greet and when it was time to start hundreds of fans screamed in excitement.

"Oh my God," Pattinson remarked, "Are they going to blow (the place) up?"

Asked later during a question and answer session if he would consider playing the iconic television character Doctor Who now that David Tennant has announced he is leaving the show, Pattinson replied: "The Doctor is great. … Yeah, maybe. I did grow up watching it. I loved it when I was a kid. In fact, I met one of them the other day, Sylvester McCoy (the seventh Doctor). He's one of the few people I've asked for an autograph."