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February 2007

Australia gets Torchwood
Torchwood
February 28, 2007  •  Posted By Kenny Davidson
The Australian Associated Press are reporting that Network Ten have purchased Torchwood and are also committed to series two of the spin-off.

Update March 5 2007: The Sydney Morning Herald today in its weekly TV guide reports on Channel Ten's "surprise move" to buy Torchwood (with a full-length photo of Captain Jack).

The SMH reports that "[m]any had assumed the ABC would land the show because of its link to the long-running Doctor Who franchise . . . Ten will launch Torchwood later this year. It remains unclear how Ten and the ABC will handle crossover storylines between the two shows."

The Age (March 8 2007) has also reported on the "keenly awaited" Torchwood being purchased by Channel Ten.
Piper on Top Gear
Broadcasting
February 28, 2007  •  Posted By John Bowman
The BBC's Doctor Who website reports that Billie Piper will be on Top Gear this coming Sunday.

As mentioned earlier this month on Outpost Gallifrey, she will be taking to the test track in the "Star In A Reasonably Priced Car" feature.

The show is on BBC Two at 8pm and is repeated on Wednesday, March 7 on BBC Two at 7pm and on Saturday, March 10 at 7pm on BBC Three.

The Doctor Who site and the Top Gear website both carry a picture of Piper on the show, although it may not stay on the Top Gear site for long.
The Runaway Bride DVD
DVD and Video
February 27, 2007  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
Outpost Gallifrey has received the cover illustration for the forthcoming UK DVD release of The Runaway Bride, the no-extras DVD release featuring this past December's Doctor Who special. Also included on the disc is the special installment of Doctor Who Confidential, "Music and Monsters," which was not previously announced. Click on the thumbnail for a larger version of the cover.

POSTSCRIPT (6 MAR): The official Doctor Who website has put on a story about the release.
2007 UK DVD schedule updated
DVD and Video
February 27, 2007  •  Posted By Chuck Foster
The official BBC Doctor Who website has released information on the UK DVD schedule for the first half of this year.

For the classic series: 16th April will be the delayed classic series story Survival; 28th May will see the release of Tom Baker's premiere, Robot; and 25th June will be the Colin Baker story Timelash.

For the new series, 2nd April will see the release of last year's Christmas Special, The Runaway Bride - in a change to last year's release form, the DVD will just consist of the special (ie. without Smith and Jones). The first 3rd season release is to be expected in June.

With the exception of Survival, extras for the forthcoming releases are yet to be revealed, though Tom Baker mentioned in the recent New Beginnings boxed set that he had recorded a commentary for Robot.
New S3 Titles
TV Series News
February 27, 2007  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
The latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine announces three new Series Three titles. Confirming earlier speculation, the first installment of Paul Cornell's two-part story is entitled Human Nature and is based upon the earlier novel published by Virgin. Steven Moffat's episode is entitled Blink, while part one of Russell T Davies' two-part season ender is entitled The Sound of Drums

The following is a recap of the Series Three episodes known so far:

1. Smith and Jones by Russell T. Davies, directed by Charles Palmer
2. The Shakespeare Code by Gareth Roberts, directed by Charles Palmer
3. Episode 3 by Russell T. Davies, directed by Richard Clarke
4. Daleks in Manhattan (part one) by Helen Raynor, directed by James Strong
5. Episode 5 (part two) by Helen Raynor, directed by James Strong
6. The Lazarus Experiment by Stephen Greenhorn, directed by Richard Clarke
7. 42 by Chris Chibnall, directed by Graeme Harper
8. Human Nature (part one) by Paul Cornell, directed by Charles Palmer
9. The Family of Blood by Paul Cornell, directed by Charles Palmer
10. Blink by Steven Moffat, directed by Hettie MacDonald
11. Utopia by Russell T. Davies, directed by Graeme Harper
12. The Sound of Drums (part one) by Russell T. Davies, directed by Colin Teague
13. Episode 13 (part two) by Russell T. Davies, directed by Colin Teague
Doctor Who UK airdate confirmed
TV Series News
February 27, 2007  •  Posted By Kenny Davidson
According to Dreamwatch SciFi, the BBC have confirmed that season three of Doctor Who will commence on 31st March.

In addition, we can reveal that the series had originally been planned to launch on 24 March, indeed this is stated in the new issue of Doctor Who Magazine, but the schedule was changed earlier this week when it was decided that BBC One would be screening England's European Championship match against Israel on that Saturday.

The start time is likely to be the traditional 7pm slot.
Doctor Who Magazine 380
Merchandise
February 27, 2007  •  Posted By Kenny Davidson
Issue 380 of Doctor Who Magazine is due out on 1st March; the following is a preview including the cover. Click on the thumbnail for a larger version.
(Thanks to Tom Spilsbury/DWM)
Countdown to the launch of Series Three with the new issue of Doctor Who Magazine!

This issue, producers Julie Gardner and Phil Collinson are given a grilling - not by DWM, but by their own colleagues! Find out whether Michael Sheen is going to be the Eleventh Doctor, why Julie Gardner's windows have been nailed shut, and what the bathrooms are like in the TARDIS. Meanwhile David Tennant asks Phil and Julie... "Are the Zarbi coming back?"

"Phil, you'd better take that one!" laughs Julie.
"Well, we have agonised, actually, whether or not to bring back the Zarbi," Phil replies.
"Which ones were the Zarbi?" asks Julie.
"The Zarbi were in a story [The Web Planet] in like 1965 or something," Phil explains. "They were great big giant ants, which were actually ballet dancers in black tights, with a fibreglass ant on top of them. They would look rather marvellous in colour, it's true to say, but I can exclusively reveal that we are not going to be bringing back the Zarbi, I'm sorry David. He's lobbied hard for them, but we just think they're going to be too frightening for young children."
Perhaps they could feature in Torchwood?
"Yes, I'll take them!" pipes up Julie. "Phil, hand me your Zarbi!"

Also this issue, there's a full preview of Episode 1, Smith and Jones, with brand new photographs and information on the Doctor's first meeting with medical student Martha Jones. Meanwhile, their alter egos David Tennant and Freema Agyeman record vocals for the new Doctor Who cartoon, and have a go at drawing themselves exclusively for DWM. The Infinite Quest is given a full preview, with design drawings and exclusive backstage photos and interviews.

Plus: Doctor Who's longest-serving crewmember, director Graeme Harper, tells DWM about bringing back the Cybermen, working with six different Doctors, and what's in store for his two latest episodes, 42 and Utopia; former series script editor Terrance Dicks chats about his new novel Made of Steel and gives his views on the return of Doctor Who; writer Stephen Greenhorn gives a few hints about his new episode The Lazarus Experiment; and the Black Guardian and Turlough answer questions in the Matrix Data Bank.

Meanwhile the end of the world approaches, as the Doctor and the Brigadier try to stop the invasion of Upper Wardleswick in the devastating final part of the new comic strip, The Warkeeper's Crown. Who will survive the final battle?

On top of all this, there's a FREE Doctor Who CD from Big Finish Productions, all the latest reviews in Off the Shelf, a Space Cake in Production Notes, and more exclusive news in Gallifrey Guardian - including three new episode titles, and one very important piece of information which was all true and correct when we went to press, but is, um, not actually true and correct anymore. And it's printed on four different pages. See if you can spot it...

DWM 380 is on sale from Thursday 1 March 2007.
Recovery ratings
Broadcasting
February 27, 2007  •  Posted By John Bowman
The David Tennant/Sarah Parish drama Recovery attracted five million viewers, losing out to ITV1's detective series Lewis, which drew 7.3 million.

Recovery, which aired on BBC1 on Sunday night, had a 20 per cent audience share. It scored an Appreciation Index figure of 86 and was the most enjoyed programme on Sunday night.

Over on Channel 4, Bridget Jones's Diary was watched by three million people, while Five netted more than one million for the film Point Break and 2.3m for the second instalment of The Conspiracy Files, focusing on the death of government scientist Dr David Kelly.
Houston PBS looking for Who fans
Broadcasting
February 26, 2007  •  Posted By Brigadier Bill
The Houston PBS station is about to get new Who and are actively looking for Who fans in the area to get involved with their programming.

I've contacted the station and their Community Education/Outreach Director, Ann Crider, has confirmed that they are indeed looking for Who fans and groups in the Houston Texas area.

If you are from Texas or know any Who organizations in the area you need to contact:
Ann Crider
Director, Community Education/Outreach
HoustonPBS
4343 Elgin
Houston, Texas 77004


or email her at:
acrider@houstonpbs.org
Survival Cover
DVD and Video
February 26, 2007  •  Posted By Shaun Lyon
2Entertain have released the cover illustration for the forthcoming UK DVD release of Survival starring Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred. The DVD release will be out later in the year. Click on the thumbnail for a larger version.
(Thanks to 2Entertain)
Torchwood Vol. 3 Cover
Torchwood
February 26, 2007  •  Posted By Jarrod Cooper
The cover and information for the third Torchwood DVD has now been released. Due to be released in the UK on March 26, this volume will include the final four episodes from the first season. Deleted scenes, Episode Guides, a Video Diary, and featurette will also be included.
(Thanks to 2Entertain)
Doctor Who nominated for RTS drama award
TV Series News
February 26, 2007  •  Posted By Kenny Davidson
Doctor Who has been nominated in the Best Drama Series category at the Royal Television Society Programme Awards 2006.

The awards will be presented on Tuesday 13th March at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London. Other nominees in this category are Life on Mars and The Street.

This is the second year running that Doctor Who has been nominated in this category. Last year it lost out to the BBC Three medical drama Bodies.
Piper recovers for debut
People
February 26, 2007  •  Posted By John Bowman
Digital Spy reports that Billie Piper made her West End debut in Treats on Saturday after a 24-hour delay caused by an illness.

It says her agent told the Sunday Express: "Billie felt pretty unwell yesterday and was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure. She was not kept in and was quickly out of bed and up and around."

Responding to speculation that Piper was pregnant, she added: "I am not prepared to discuss any other rumours about her health as she is now purely concentrating on her role in the show."

The Sunday Mirror said Piper - pictured above with Treats co-stars Kris Marshall and Laurence Fox, who is also her boyfriend - was rushed to hospital on Friday night after she collapsed in agony.

Digital Spy said the first show was due to take place on Friday but had been called off amid speculation that Piper was ill or stressed out. However, according to postings on the Outpost Gallifrey Forum, the show went ahead with an understudy taking her place.

Treats, which had been in previews, is on at the Garrick Theatre until May 26.

Outpost Gallifrey reported on Friday that Piper's official debut had been delayed, although conflicting dates were circulating.
New Covers and Titles Announced
Books
February 25, 2007  •  Posted By Jarrod Cooper
The covers for the March releases of the new 10th Doctor and Martha novels are now available.

Also announced are the new titles and authors for the next 3 books, which are slated for a September release. They are:
Sick Building by Paul Magrs
Forever Autumn by Mark Morris
Wetworld by Mark Michalowski

June sees the release of Calling the Shots: Directing the new series of Doctor Who by Graeme Harper

July has a new series of Decide Your Destiny novels from Penguin Character books. They are:
The Corinthian Project by Davey Moore
The Time Crocodile by Colin Brake
Frozen Earth by Kay Woodward
Arena by Richard Dungworth

Later in the year will see Penguin releasing an activity collection, family planner and desk calendar.
Spaced Out
Press Clips
February 25, 2007  •  Posted By Stephen Blake
Ever since it was announced that Doctor Who was returning to our television screens, Britain's LGBT publications (along with most others, it seems) have taken the show to their hearts, regularly reporting on the show (and its spinoffs).

In particular, Millivres Prowler - who publish Gay Times (recently restyled as GT), Diva, axm, the free Pink Paper newspaper and the online magazine Puffta - have devoted many column inches to Who. Here's a flavour.

In recent weeks, two Doctor Who-related articles appeared in the Pink Paper, with Darren Scott Gleeson interviewing Who stars Elisabeth Sladen (about her return to Doctor Who and The Sarah Jane Adventures) and John Barrowman.

Forget the girl, it's the woman I want

Gleeson says of Sladen, "Forget Billie Piper, the best Doctor Who companion was Sarah Jane Smith.

"Following her heart-breaking return to the programme [in 2006], her own series looks set to be the latest in a long line of hits for Russell T Davies."

A self-professed Doctor Who fan, Gleeson admits that it was "intrepid reporter Sarah Jane that first got me interested in journalism".

In the article, Sladen says it's incredible what Doctor Who has done, and she recounts the time a Who fan who's gay thanked her: "He said he had a very difficult childhood and would switch on Doctor Who on a Saturday and identify with it because it was about a loner and he felt very alone. He said it was just that half-hour when he actually believed everything would be all right."

Roberts' Code

There was also a short accompanying article, "Who's that boy?", about Gareth Roberts, which mentioned his Doctor Who novels, audios, Tardisodes, interactive episode (Attack of the Graske) and his Series 3 story The Shakespeare Code. Roberts said, "It's going to be pretty fab, they've done things which I can't quite believe. This is the kind of television I've always wanted to do. I'm very happy with The Sarah Jane Adventures too [...] I love working with BBC Wales, I'm not going anywhere until they kick me out."

He nose, you know

In the second interview, Barrowman talked to Gleeson about Live and Kicking, Doctor Who, Torchwood, and being the recipient of the "Entertainer of the Year" award at the first Annual Stonewall Awards.

"I'm really pleased about the award because that's being recognised by - if we have to put ourselves into categories - my community. It's a community I'm very proud of. I'm very proud to be gay and I don't see it as a detriment at all, as some people look at it.

Unfortunately, due to work commitments, Barrowman was unable to collect the award in person and so Sir Ian McKellan did so on his behalf. "I look up to Ian. Follow in his footsteps," Barrowman said of his friend.

During the interview, Barrowman talks about his civil partnership to long-time partner Scott Gill, his thoughts on religion, his Doctor Who mobile ring tone - "I'm really proud of that, dude [...] that's bought me a couple of homes" - and his six-inch Captain Jack action figure: "I turned down three or four different prototypes as the chin and nose [and] cheekbones weren't right, I was particular about it."

He also talks about how great it is being part of the whole Doctor Who/Torchwood family: "I love every second of it [but] I don't Google myself and dissuade my family from doing it because you read a lot of things that aren't true." Of the Dr Who Weakest Link Christmas Special, he says Anne Robinson (Bad Wolf) confided that they were the best celebrity group the Weakest Link had ever had!

Finally, of Series 3 of Doctor Who, he teases, "You're going to love it!"

The Captain Dances

The Pink Paper interview (mentioned above) was conducted in Stirling, Scotland, during Barrowman's official opening of his cousin Mark Barrowman's new business, MB Disco Supplies. Barrowman (Mark) said that although the shop started trading in July 2006, this was a private ceremony as "a thank you to our suppliers, key business partners and family members. We then opened the doors to the public and John mingled with his fans, signing photographs and his CDs."

The Pink Paper also published the winners of its annual Pink Paper Readers' Awards. "Best TV Show" went to Doctor Who. Davies accepted the award, saying, rather cheekily, "Thanks very much. I've always said the gay audience is cleverer, more imaginative and frankly more good-looking than anyone else, and now you've gone and proved it!" The Catherine Tate Show came second in the same category.

Who's Got Attitude?

Barrowman and Mark Gatiss both appeared in December's Attitude magazine.

Barrowman was asked "Any Queries?" by readers. He answered a diverse set of questions, including homophobia in Hollywood, his time on Live and Kicking, civil partnerships, watching Doctor Who as a child and not winning Dancing On Ice.

Gatiss was interviewed to coincide with the publication of his second Lucifer Box novel The Devil in Amber. As well as his books, he talked about playing Johnny Craddock in Fear of Fanny and Ratty in The Wind in the Willows, and briefly mentioned how thrilled he is to be in Series 3 of Doctor Who: "Another dream come true. I can't say much but it's a brilliant part and I can't wait to work with my old friend David Tennant."

Asked what it's like being involved with the show, Gatiss replied, "It's been a total joy. Really, it's been unbelievable. Doctor Who is the number one show and I don't think any of us believed that we'd ever see that again. Kids are obsessed with Daleks, they have wall-charts and stuff. It's like 1973 all over again! Russell T Davies presides over it all with his incredible enthusiasm and tirelessness. It's like a big family really. It's like UNIT. I'm Jo Grant!"


The Church and the Crown

The current issue of the Pink Paper reports on Barrowman's desire to have children, and his response to the recent row in the UK between the church and Parliament over the rights of gay people to adopt: "If people think of a family unit as being something from the past, then I'm happy to get the Doctor to take them back to the Dark Ages in the Tardis [sic]. We don't need them in our future."

Earlier, in Gay Times (December 2006), Terry Sanderson in his "Mediawatch" column, commented, happily, that the Daily Mirror reported Barrowman and Gill's desire to become parents "without a whisper of censure or judgementalism" on the tabloid's part.

Age of Enlightenment

Elsewhere in the current issue of the Pink Paper covers the story of Sylvester McCoy joining McKellan in the Royal Shakespeare Company's new production of King Lear, and the news that Lynda Baron (Enlightenment) will be hosting a 10-year birthday celebration of Amnesty International's LGBT UK Network on 27 February, which is also supported by Simon Callow (The Unquiet Dead).

Glad to be Kay

Also reported in the Pink, Peter Kay (Love and Monsters) is to play Roger de Bris, "the theatrical gay icon and world's worst director", in a new production, at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, of Mel Brooks's classic musical comedy The Producers.

"I've always been a huge fan of The Producers, ever since I first saw the film on telly when I was 11," Kay said. "[This] is definitely, for me, a real dream come true. I can't wait."

The story was previously reported in the Bolton News.

Naked Lunch

Gay Times and Attitude both recommended the 2007 Philip Olivier calendar from Slow Dazzle. No mention of Doctor Who - Olivier plays Seventh Doctor companion Hex in the Big Finish audios - but the piece briefly talks about his role as a gay schoolteacher in Hollyoaks: In the City.

At Home with the Barrowman's

The same issue of Gay Times has a three-page article about how Barrowman and his agent, Gavin Barker, met. Barker recounts that Barrowman's casting as Captain Jack in Doctor Who "was the quickest offer in the history of BBC Drama".

New Girl

Meanwhile, the restyled GT tests new Doctor Who companion Freema Agyeman on her Who knowledge in a light-hearted piece, "Doctor, Doctor". Asked what's the best thing about being the Doctor's companion, Agyeman replies, "[...] all the adventures you go on. You don't know from one minute to the next where you're going to be, who you're going to be encountering. It's a real roller-coaster ride. And for me personally this part has no stereotypical limitations as a black female, which I may have encountered in the past."

Huge Who

The new issue of Out Northwest (March 2007, available from 28 February), the free magazine published by the Lesbian and Gay Foundation, reports on Series 3 of Doctor Who and the "Huge Who exhibition" at the Museum of Science and Industry. The cover shows a full-page publicity shot of the Tenth Doctor and Martha Jones inside the TARDIS and proclaims: "The Doctor Lands in Manchester".

Billie and the Boys

Puffta.co.uk's online magazine details Billie Piper in their "Icon One Series": "Billie Piper. Only 23 years old but she's just published her autobiography, ditched the Doctor but we'd rather she release another album!" The article presents a potted biog of Piper, including quotes from the actor and RTD.

Charlie not Charley

In its online archive, ScotsGay magazine has an article on all things Doctor Who, including an interview with, as the piece puts it, "the openly gay Glaswegian comedian" Charlie Ross, a favourite on the UK Doctor Who convention circuit, who also appears as Lest in Big Finish's Eighth Doctor/Charley/C'rizz audio drama Memory Lane. "It's a dark, comic piece with a twist [...] a traditional Dr Who story of the best kind," Ross says.

The article states: "Charlie has been a fan his whole life. He grew up watching Tom Baker and Peter Davison - 'Who I've been lucky enough to meet' [and who, together with a couple of classic Daleks, he appeared with on the front cover of the print magazine] - and often includes Dr Who material in his stand-up act."

ScotsGay's "Top 6 Websites" lists Outpost Gallifrey as their "Best Dr Who Fan site".

Just Spaced

Away from matters pink, the current issue of Hotline magazine (January-March 2007) from Virgin Trains has a two-page interview with Simon Pegg (The Long Game). He talks about Shaun of the Dead, appearing opposite Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible III, his new film Hot Fuzz and his part as the Editor in Doctor Who: "It was amazing, the very idea of being part of Doctor Who was great."

He also recounts how, at the age of eight, he met Tom Baker: "I have a book somewhere [...] autographed by Tom Baker. It says: 'To Simon, 8, from Tom Baker, 888.' [...] he signed it for me and offered me a jelly baby. If someone had come to me then, some sort of emissary from the future, and said that years later I would be in Doctor Who, it would have fried my mind."
Tennant on Two
People
February 24, 2007  •  Posted By Marcus
David Tennant spent 90 minutes in the Jonathan Ross studio this morning promoting his Sunday night appearance in the BBC drama Recovery.

Tennant was quizzed about the new series, promising a few tearjerkers along the way.

The whole programme is available via the BBC Listen again service on the Radio Two Website. for the next seven days. Tennant's appearance starts around one hour into the programme.
DW warning to hopefuls
Miscellaneous
February 24, 2007  •  Posted By John Bowman
Budding stars are being warned to avoid agencies that say they can secure them parts on programmes such as Doctor Who.

The UK's Department of Trade and Industry has published advice to help would-be entertainers and models avoid unscrupulous outfits, and names Doctor Who as a prime example of the type of show that rogue casting agencies make false promises about.

The information campaign follows cases where agencies have advertised casting sessions in local newspapers then used hard-sell tactics to take payments on false promises about success and stardom.

Employment minister Jim Fitzpatrick, pictured, said: "Most agencies are reputable and will tell you that the entertainment industry is tough to break into.

"Beware of anyone who promises to make you a star overnight. If it looks too good to be true, then it probably is. Our advice is designed to help stop rogues turning people's dreams into nightmares."

Listed among the DTI's top tips for aspiring models and entertainers is the following:

"Beware of adverts claiming to provide artists for popular TV programmes like EastEnders or Doctor Who. Directors for these shows usually use agencies and individuals they have used before."
Piper West End debut delay
People
February 23, 2007  •  Posted By John Bowman
The Daily Mail says Billie Piper's West End debut in Treats has been delayed.

It reports there are fears the play - currently in preview at the Garrick Theatre - is not yet ready, although it is apparently supposed to be officially opening there next Wednesday.

London Theatreland says the play is scheduled to run from March 1 to May 26.

Earlier this week, Piper - who is appearing in Treats with boyfriend Laurence Fox - was pictured breaking down in tears and being consoled by ex-husband Chris Evans.

According to producers, however, the play has been delayed to avoid a clash with the RSC production of The Tempest, which stars Patrick Stewart and is also set to open - at the Novello Theatre - on Wednesday.

In an earlier interview, Piper was quoted as saying she was "stressed out" by the impending debut.

"It's really hard in the theatre and the level of concentration is terrible. I am still working it out and trying to find my feet . . . I am quite stressed and am having a tough time," she said.

No new official opening date has been given yet.

Also reported at Digital Spy.
Cardiff filming in The Sun
Press Clips
February 23, 2007  •  Posted By John Bowman
The Sun today has a short picture piece about David Tennant and John Barrowman filming Series Three in Cardiff.

It also makes reference to a comment made in Doctor Who Magazine by Barrowman about Tennant, and says the pair were filming with Freema Agyeman.

There are no spoilers.
New Beginnings DVD Boxset for North America in June
DVD and Video
February 22, 2007  •  Posted By Mike Doran
TV Shows on DVD is reporting that the New Beginnings DVD box set will be released in North America (Region 1) on June 5th, 2007. The set, which was released in the UK in January, contains the stories The Keeper of Traken, Logopolis and Castrovalva. These stories cover the final two adventures with Tom Baker as well as the first with Peter Davison.

In addition to the featured episodes, the three-disc set contains commentaries, interviews, specially produced featurettes, photo galleries, production notes, trailers and isolated music tracks.
Davison in The Mirror
People
February 22, 2007  •  Posted By R. Alan Siler
Peter Davison is the focus of a short but career-spanning article in today's edition of The Mirror. The article, entitled "All Roles Great and Small," covers (not in any depth) Davison's early days as an actor, some of his most prominent roles (The Tomorrow People, All Creatures Great and Small, Doctor Who) and his current comedy series Fear, Stress and Anger.

To read the article, visit The Mirror's website.
The Magazine Dalek Building Contest
Miscellaneous
February 21, 2007  •  Posted By Mike Doran
The Magazine is holding a Dalek Building Contest.

The craft-oriented contest is open to Canadian residents under 18 years of age.

Prizes include one of four copies of the Doctor Who Series Two DVD box set and the grand prize is a remote control Dalek.

The Magazine is Canada's best-selling monthly youth entertainment publication.
Saturn Award Nominations
TV Series News
February 21, 2007  •  Posted By R. Alan Siler
The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films has announced the nominations for the 33rd Annual Saturn Awards, and Doctor Who has received two nominations: BEST SYNDICATED/CABLE TELEVISION SERIES and BEST TELEVISION SERIES RELEASE ON DVD.

Leading the nominations was Bryan Singer's Superman Returns with ten. Other notables were X-Men: The Final Stand (6), Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth (6), Lost (6), Heroes (5), and Battlestar Galactica (4).

This year marks the Academy's 35th Anniversary. The non-profit organization was founded in 1972 by film historian Dr. Donald A. Reed. The Academy is currently headed by Robert Holguin, who serves as President of the Academy.

The winners will be announced at this year’s 33rd Annual Saturn Awards, which takes place on Thursday, May 10, 2007 in Universal City. Hosting the event will be actor Greg Grunberg (Heroes) and comedian Jeffrey Ross.

To learn more about the Saturns, visit the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films' website.
Derek Waring
People
February 21, 2007  •  Posted By John Bowman
Actor Derek Waring who played Shardovan in Castrovalva died of cancer yesterday at 79.

He was also well-known for his roles in Z Cars and Moody and Pegg.

Other TV shows Waring appeared in were The Professionals, Dixon of Dock Green and The Adventures of Sir Lancelot, which starred William Russell - later to become Doctor Who companion Ian Chesterton - in the title role.

More details of Waring's life and career are online at Yahoo News.

UPDATE (22 Feb): His death has subsequently been reported at BBC News, where there is also a detailed biography plus tribute. The Guardian carries an obituary.

Pictured below is Waring in character in Castrovalva, which was recently released on DVD in the UK as part of the New Beginnings box set. Click on the image for a larger version.
TV Roundup
Broadcasting
February 21, 2007  •  Posted By Chuck Foster
Runaway Bride co-stars David Tennant and Sarah Parish were interviewed in a filmed insert shown on BBC1's Breakfast throughout this morning's edition about their new drama Recovery, which will be broadcast on BBC1 this coming Sunday at 9:00pm.

Blue Peter ran an item on how to make a TARDIS bird feeder on the 14th February edition of the programme; full details on how to make it are available on the CBBC website.

12th February saw actress Angela Griffin (Waterloo Road) "beg" to be in Doctor Who on the Richard and Judy show, after presenter Richard Madeley thought she'd be great in the show!

Billie Piper can currently be seen as a schoolgirl in the Walkers walkears.com advert for this year's Comic Relief.

Meanwhile, next week, Penelope Wilton, Sophie Okonedo (Scream of the Shalka) and James Fox (BBCi/Big Finish's version of Shada) are some of the stars in Harold Pinter's Celebration, which can be seen on More4 on 26 February.
Who Grant?
TV Series News
February 21, 2007  •  Posted By Paul Hayes
Various online sources are reporting that actor Hugh Grant has expressed his regret at not taking on the role of the Doctor when the BBC Wales production team offered it to him on the off-chance back in 2004, as detailed in Russell T Davies's Doctor Who Magazine "Production Notes" column at the time.

"I was offered the role of The Doctor a few years back and was highly flattered," Grant is quoted as saying on SyFyPortal, amongst many other websites. "The danger with those things is that it's only when you see it on the screen that you think, 'Damn, that was good, why did I say no?'"

However, Grant added that he may yet appear in the series, and is apparently in discussions to guest star in an episode. "I'm in talks about a one-off role. I'd prefer to be a baddie. They're always much more fun to play."

Also reported at: ContactMusic, TeenTelevision, Bits of News and Digital Spy.

It would not be the first link with the show for Grant - in 1999 he was one of the star names to play the Doctor in the Comic Relief TV spoof The Curse of Fatal Death, which was written by Steven Moffat.
40 PBS Stations Airing Eccleston DW Episodes So Far
Broadcasting
February 20, 2007  •  Posted By Benjamin F Elliott
If you get one or more of the following public TV stations, they have bought into the Christopher Eccleston Doctor Who package, available to stations as early as March 1. Additional stations may have bought into the package, but they have not made themselves known yet.

1) Georgia Public Broadcasting
2) Idaho Public Broadcasting
3) Iowa Public TV
4) KACV 2 Amarillo TX
5) KBTC 28/KCKA 15 Tacoma/Centralia WA
6) KERA 13 Dallas TX
7) KLCS 58 Los Angeles CA
8) KLRU 18 Austin TX
9) KOCE 50 Orange County CA
10) KOZK 21/KOZJ 26 Springfield/Joplin MO (Ozarks Public TV)
11) KRMA 6 Denver CO (and repeaters through Colorado)
12) KTEH 54/KCAH 25 San Jose/Monterey CA
13) KTWU 11 Topeka KS
14) KUED 7 Salt Lake City UT
15) KUHT 8 Houston TX
16) KVPT 18 Fresno CA
17) Louisiana Public Broadcasting
18) Maryland Public TV
19) North Carolina Public Broadcasting
20) Prairie Public Broadcasting (North Dakota's statewide network)
21) Nebraska Educational TV
22) New Hampshire Public TV
23) Oklahoma Public Broadcasting
24) Oregon Public Broadcasting
25) South Dakota Public Broadcasting
26) WCET 48 Cincinnati OH
27) WEDU 3 Tampa FL
28) WILL 12 Champaign-Urbana IL
29) WJCT 7 Jacksonville FL
30) WLIW 21 Long Island NY
31) WLVT 39 Allentown PA
32) WMFE 24 Orlando FL
33) WMVS 10 Milwaukee WI
34) WPBT 2 Miami FL
35) WQLN 54 Erie PA
36) WSKG 46 Binghamton NY
37) WTTW 11 Chicago IL
38) WTVP 47 Peoria IL
39) WUFT 5 Gainesville FL
40) WXXI 21 Rochester NY
Big Finish Update
Big Finish
February 20, 2007  •  Posted By Josiah Rowe
Big Finish Productions has updated their website, with information on new and upcoming releases. The Seventh Doctor story Nocturne and the CD of the BBC7 Eighth Doctor story Blood of the Daleks - Part 2 have both been released to subscribers, as have the first four releases of The Companion Chronicles. Actress Sara Griffiths, who played Ray in the 1987 story "Delta and the Bannermen", returns to Doctor Who in the April release, I. D. by Eddie Robson. The cover and synopsis for the latest Bernice Summerfield adventure, The Tub Full of Cats, are available on the website, as is information about new and upcoming releases in the Sapphire and Steel, which has now been confirmed for a third season, and Tomorrow People lines. And the cover and blurb are now available for next month's main Doctor Who release, Renaissance of the Daleks, which is also the first story on the main range to feature the new cover design. This release is based on a story by former Doctor Who script editor and writer Christopher H. Bidmead:
A random landing in London and a trip to the Savoy Hotel yield unexpected results for the Doctor. Tea, scones, an American general who knows far too much, and the threat of a Dalek invasion of Earth.

Meanwhile, the Doctor's companion Nyssa is in Rhodes during the time of the Crusades, where her position proves to be distinctly precarious.

It seems the Doctor's deadliest foes have woven a tangled web indeed. And in order to defeat them, he must cross the forbidden barriers of time and walk into the very centre of their latest, most outlandish scheme of conquest.
Radio Times warming up?
Press Clips
February 19, 2007  •  Posted By Stephen Blake
Though a few weeks away from Series 3 of Doctor Who (and any possible Who-related listings-magazines covers), both this week's and next week's issues of the Radio Times sport front-page covers and corresponding articles of two of the show's stars, albeit for different roles.

The current issue of the listings-magazine (17 to 23 February) has a Catherine Tate cover - "Bovvered?" - and features a three-page interview with the former Doctor Who companion by Alexei Sayle (the DJ in Revelation of the Daleks). This is to coincide with tonight's premiere of the ITV1 drama The Bad Mother's Handbook, which stars Tate. There's nothing about Doctor Who in the article itself but the magazine's editor Gill Hudson makes a brief mention in her "Editor's letter".

Meanwhile, next week's Radio Times (24 February to 2 March, on sale now) features a (bearded) David Tennant cover - "TV's Most Wanted" - and article to coincide with his BBC1 drama Recovery, which co-stars the Empress of the Racnoss herself, Sarah Parish. This issue also has a short interview with Penelope Wilton and a "One Final Question" interview with Life on Mars star John Simm.

Previously, to coincide with Matthew Graham's second series of Life on Mars, the 10 to 16 February issue of the Radio Times had a double cover - "Life on Mars!" - featuring Simm and Philip Glenister. The top cover - in the current Radio Times style, showing the pair in character and including a sub-heading "Primeval: Is this ITV1’s answer to Doctor Who?" - opened up to a second cover with the same picture but styled as the Radio Times was in 1973!
Barrowman furore
Press Clips
February 19, 2007  •  Posted By John Bowman
Monday's edition of The Sun has picked up on the furore over remarks by John Barrowman.

It follows sexual comments made by Barrowman in Doctor Who Magazine, which prompted letters of complaint and an apology.

The 39-year-old Torchwood and Doctor Who star made certain references about himself, Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant and Torchwood director Ashley Way in a previous edition of the magazine.

DWM reader Robert Mitchell from Brighton had a letter published in the current edition in which he said: "The magazine is called Doctor Who Magazine and not Gay Times."

The Sun lifts part of the response by editor Clayton Hickman, quoting him as saying: "We consider the magazine is for older readers, but some of this content may have overstepped the mark. Apologies."
Peter Davison speaks out
People
February 17, 2007  •  Posted By John Bowman
Fifth Doctor Peter Davison reckons Fidel Castro probably isn't half as bad as he's made out to be, and that Tony Blair should either be sent to the Tower of London or put in the stocks.

In an interview for the Press Association, headlined If I Ruled The World, syndicated to publicise his new series Fear, Stress and Anger, which begins on BBC Two on Thursday, he also praises Stephen Fry, who dropped out of writing for Doctor Who.

The full text is given below.

Peter Moffatt [sic], 55, was born in London. He changed his surname to Davison when he embarked on an acting career.

His big break came in the series All Creatures Great and Small in 1978, but arguably his most famous role was as the fifth Doctor in sci-fi series Doctor Who in 1981.

After he left in 1984, Davison starred in A Very Peculiar Practice, and subsequent credits include Campion, Hope and Glory, At Home with the Braithwaites, The Last Detective and The Complete Guide to Parenting.

His new series, Fear, Stress and Anger, airs on BBC Two on Thursday, February 22 at 9pm.

Davison lives in Twickenham and has an actress daughter, Georgia, from his previous marriage to Sandra Dickinson, and two sons, Louis and Joel, with his present wife Elizabeth.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR FIRST ACT AS RULER?

"To decree that anyone who started a war had to be strapped to the front of the tank when it went into battle. We'd go back to the old days when the ruler would lead from the front."

WHO WOULD BE YOUR MOST TRUSTED ADVISER?

"Stephen Fry. I've never heard him say anything I didn't agree with and think he's extraordinarily wise. He'd be a good person to have around."

WHO WOULD YOU BANISH?

"Anyone who complains about the number of immigrants in this country. I've liked nearly every person who has come into this country from abroad I've ever met. I'm sure there are bad ones, but the overwhelming majority come here, work hard and love this country, bizarrely."

WOULD YOU BE A DICTATOR OR A BENEVOLENT LEADER?

"I think you have to be both. You can't be a benevolent leader because everyone would just walk all over you, and a dictator implies brutality, but the ideal has always been a blend. That's the theory, and I know it always goes wrong, but I'd be the first to get it right."

WHO WOULD YOU SINGLE OUT FOR A KNIGHTHOOD AND WHY?

"Jeremy Paxman for all his industry in needling the politicians over the years. I'll always be very happy to watch an interview with a politician when he's doing it."

WHO WOULD YOU SEND TO THE TOWER/PUT IN THE STOCKS?

"That would have to be our present Prime Minister. I think in order to prevent disaster ever happening again you have to pursue relentlessly the people who are responsible for it. You cannot start from the position that we too often say 'well, this is where we are now, we have to sort it out.'"

WHICH LAW WOULD YOU ABOLISH?

"In Twickenham, where I live, they've just come out with this insane law which means they'll double or triple the residents' permit if you have a large car. That would be fine if it was an across-the-board tax, but everyone who has a house big enough to have a driveway or a garage doesn't have to pay it, so they're taxing everyone whose cars are at the side of the road. It's really annoyed me."

WHICH LAW WOULD YOU INTRODUCE?

"All women must have their purses out ready to pay at supermarket checkouts - but I'd also ban men from being on the tills. They're absolutely hopeless. If you ever get stuck with a bloke at the till, it's a disaster. They go about two miles an hour and none of them ever seem to know what they're doing. But why is it that ladies wait until everything is checked through before they start to look for their purse? There's also the expression 'at the end of the day'. I hate it, so I'd ban people from saying it."

WHICH BUILDING WOULD YOU DEMOLISH AND WHY?

"I'm tempted to say the MI5 building, but rather than pull it down I'd rather turn it into something nice."

WHICH RULER/MONARCH DO YOU MOST ADMIRE OR HAVE MOST IN COMMON WITH?

"I have a sneaking suspicion that in 50 years time we'll discover that Castro isn't half as bad as we think he is. He outlived his enemies, he's managed to take Cuba back from America's playground, and hold them off for all those years. We hear lots of terrible stories about him, but most end up being nonsense. I have also come to admire President Clinton. He was a pretty bright man."

IF YOU COULD CHANGE THE NATIONAL ANTHEM FOR ANOTHER PIECE OF MUSIC, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

"I don't think I'd want to change it. If I was in charge, presumably they would be singing about me."
More Companion Chronicles to come
Big Finish
February 17, 2007  •  Posted By Jarrod Cooper
Jason Haigh-Ellery of Big Finish Productions announced today that there will be a second series of the new Companion Chronicles series. No information about casting or characters have been announced at this time.
Ex-Hollyoaks actress lands role
Press Clips
February 16, 2007  •  Posted By John Bowman
Saturday's edition of The Sun reports that former Hollyoaks actress Elize Du Toit has been cast in Series Three.

It says the 25-year-old is to play the character Miss Dexter but does not reveal which story she will be in.

The article features spoiler information about Dexter as well as another character in the forthcoming series (although they are not necessarily in the same story). Click on the tag below to read more and for the link to the Sun story.
The Sun says: "The 25-year-old - who was sex bomb Izzy in the Channel 4 soap - will play baddie Miss Dexter.

"An insider said: 'She is an extremely sinister character who clashes with the Doctor after setting a trap for him.'

"Meanwhile actor Michael Sheen, who played Tony Blair in Oscar-nominated movie The Queen, is battling with Life On Mars star John Simm to play The Master."
Eccleston joins The Dark is Rising
People
February 16, 2007  •  Posted By Brigadier Bill
Sci-Fi Wire reports that Ninth Doctor Christopher Eccleston has joined the cast of The Dark Is Rising. The 20th Century Fox and Walden Media film is an adaptation of the books of the same name by Susan Cooper. Eccleston will play the villain, the Rider, and will join the cast of Gregory Smith, Amelia Warner (Aeon Flux), Emma Lockhart (Batman Begins), Gary Entin, Edmund Entin, Jonathan Jackson and John Benjamin Hickey. Ian McShane and Frances Conroy have also been cast. The movie is slated to begin filming on 26 February in Romania.

Visit Sci Fi Wire for more details.
Odd Doctor Who Influences
Miscellaneous
February 15, 2007  •  Posted By Brigadier Bill
While the Doctor officially made an appearance in BeanoMAX comic in the UK, there was an odd appearance just last month in the long-running comic strip Annie. Best known as Little Orphan Annie, the updated version had the young adventurer enter a time machine that was larger on the inside than the out and featured a strangely familiar looking console. After almost interrupting the assassination of Abe Lincoln, little Annie went on a visit to Atlantis.

Visit Annie to take a look at the exciting adventure complete with daily cliffhangers. Love the console.
Press Round Up
Press Clips
February 14, 2007  •  Posted By Anna Roberts
Some stories you may have missed recently in the press ...

Comparisons between Doctor Who and ITV's new show Primeval have been cropping up in a variety of sources. Heat magazine said "... it's not a fair comparison - where Doctor Who is quirky, playful and very British, this glossy adventure is more in the American style, with spectacular effects, fancy locations and less larking about ... For all it's slickness, Primeval would be improved by the presence of a David Tennant or a Billie Piper. But what wouldn't?". Closer magazine commented that, "Doctor Who proved that decent sci-fi drama can be a huge family hit, so you can't blame ITV for wanting a piece of the action."

John Barrowman has been "celebrating the best of Broadway, Hollywood and the West End" by sitting in for Elaine Paige on Sunday 11 February on BBC Radio 2 at 1-3pm, and will be carrying on the presenting duties on the following Sunday, 18 February, at the same time. You can listen again for 7 days here. The first show included radio play for Love Don't Roam and discussion of Torchwood filming, as previously reported on the News Page.
Barrowman will be hosting The National Lottery: Saturday Draws on BBC1 at 9.25 on 24 February.

A short Q & A interview with Barrowman appeared in London Lite on 9 February.

A home-made Doctor Who time machine was the star attraction at a space-based literacy day on Saturday 20 January at the Langworthy Cornerstone, aimed at improving English. Doctor Who author Stephen Cole also attended, conducting a writing seminar and judging the winning entries in the story competition.

The Mirror has reported on the investigation of a BBC Wales executive for fraud in "A Doctor Who Swindle", claiming the executive "was in charge of a multi-million pound budget at the Cardiff HQ where Doctor Who is made" and is under investigation for a series of payments he authorised. Any Doctor Who link may be largely geographical, however, as the executive who resigned in April 2005 was head of operations for BBC Wales, and was responsible for technology, outside broadcasts, studios, post-production, facilities management, and BBC premises.

According to Sky Showbiz (A. Montini), Hugh Grant "got offered a role in the revived version of Doctor Who. Not sure what put him off the role - the hard work or the show being shot in Cardiff ... Either way he said no."

Many celebrities have been revealing their love of Doctor Who.

Take That singer Mark Owen told Sky Showbiz he would like to appear in Doctor Who, saying that "I never missed it and loved the show the first time around. I think there is room for us on the show to do a concert on another planet, but we would have to return, of course."

Inside Soap (3-9 February)also reveals that Carrie Grant (of BBC2's Safari School) says that the Doctor is the TV/movie character she would most like to be - "The idea that you could just go anywhere you wanted in the whole universe ... Oh yeah!"

The winner of How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, Connie Fisher, has been stating her case for a role in Doctor Who. According to Sky Showbiz, she said, "I never miss the show and think that it would be great for me as it's totally different from what people know me as."

Scottish designers Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan said that they would: "... love to be in Doctor Who - David Tennant is magnificent and we're big fans of Christopher Eccleston." source: Metro

British comedian Al Murray (currently hosting Al Murray's Happy Hour on ITV) comments on Doctor Who that his children "love it and I do, too. I think it's been the most amazing thing on TV in recent years." (Heat magazine, issue 412)

People

Marc Warren (Love and Monsters) and Yasmin Bannerman (The End of the World) both appeared in the first episode of the second series of Life on Mars, broadcast on BBC 1 on the 13 February. Written and co-created by Matthew Graham (Fear Her) and starring John Simm, episode 2 in the current series was written by Chris Chibnall (Torchwood).

Peter Davison is to star in a new BBC 2 comedy Fear, Stress and Anger.

David Tennant and Sarah Parish can be seen together in Recovery, a one-off 90-minute drama written by Tony Merchant, following a man who suffers a head injury, currently due to be transmitted on BBC 1 from 9pm on Sunday, 25 February. Tennant is due to appear as a guest for Clive Anderson on Radio 2 on the 25 February between 11am and 1pm. The show will be available online for the following 7 days here.

Meanwhile, readers of New Woman magazine have voted Tennant number 13 in it's 100 Hottest Men on the Planet poll. Last year, he came in at number 20.

Billie Piper is to star in the adaptation of Belle de Jour for Channel 4, according to BBC News. Piper is also to guest on The Charlotte Church Show, which screens on Friday, 23 February at 10pm on Channel 4 (UK). Piper was interviewed by Mark Lawson on BBC Radio 4's Front Row on 13 February.

Christopher Eccleston made his first appearance as Claude in Heroes in January. The creator/producer of Heroes, Tim Kring, described how Eccleston became involved in the show in an interview at Crave Online: "I had seen his work mainly in Elizabeth and I had seen him in 28 Days Later. I knew who he was and I had originally wanted a British [actor]. I saw the character as a kind of Fagin kind of character. I wanted a big sort of sloppy Brit with a working class accent who is this curmudgeonly invisible guy, a real misanthrope. So the casting people said, "Well, Christopher Eccleston is actually living here now in America. He’s just moved here and he’s trying to get work here." So it was one of those fortuitous things where it was like, "Oh, I love that guy. Let’s go after him." By the time we had a part for him, he was really a fan of the show."

Eccleston is also due to start filming shortly on The Dark is Rising, an adaptation of the fantasy book by Susan Cooper.

Penelope Wilton appeared on the 14 February edition of Front Row (BBC Radio 4).

Mark Gatiss and Arabella Weir (who plays a female Doctor in the Doctor Who Unbound audio Exile by Nicholas Briggs from Big Finish) will be guest starring in Radio 4's Down the Line on 20 February.
Casting Update
TV Series News
February 14, 2007  •  Posted By Anna Roberts
The Sun is claiming that Tom Ellis has been cast in the new series of Doctor Who as the character Tom Milligan. (Warning - the link contains spoilers.) He appeared in EastEnders as Dr Oliver Cousins, and has also appeared in Waking The Dead, Holby City and Love Soup, among many other programmes.

A BBC source has told the Sun that "Tom plays a crucial role in the season finale of Doctor Who." He is apparently due to begin filming next week.
John Simm on BBC 6Music
TV Series News
February 13, 2007  •  Posted By Paul Hayes
John Simm appeared with his Life on Mars co-star Philip Glenister as guests on Nemone Metaxas's radio programme, broadcast on BBC 6Music, this afternoon. Simm spoke via telephone, rather than in studio with Glenister, as his wife has recently had a baby.

Mainly there to promote the second series of Life on Mars, which commences its run on BBC One this evening, Simm was also asked about the recent rumours concerning his possible guest appearance in series three of Doctor Who. Although there were no spoilers, the question contained speculation about a major character rumoured to be appearing in the new series.
Simm was asked a question that had been e-mailed in by a listener, querying whether it was true that he had been cast to appear at the end of series three as the Doctor's old Time Lord nemesis, The Master. "It's all speculation and all rumour at this point - I think it's just journalists getting a little bit over-excited," was Simm's reply. Asked whether he would consider the role were it to be offered, Simm replied "I don't know", agreeing with Nemone that this was basically a "no comment".

The interview can be heard on the Listen Again feature on the BBC 6Music website. Simm and Glenister appear roughly two hours into the "Nemone" programme.
No Torchwood down under?
Torchwood
February 12, 2007  •  Posted By Adam Kirk
Despite earlier media reports to the contrary, the Australian TV Week magazine mentions in its latest edition that both public broadcasters, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) have passed on Torchwood. There is no indication that any of the Australian commercial broadcasters will pick up the show.

The ABC is expected to screen the third series of Doctor Who from mid-year but this is still subject to official confirmation.
Torchwood Season Two to premier in 2008
Torchwood
February 11, 2007  •  Posted By Marcus
John Barrowman has revealed that he expects Season Two of Torchwood to premier early in 2008.

Speaking on BBC Radio Two, where he was the stand-in presenter for Elaine Paige, he told listeners that he will be recording Torchwood until November and the series will be shown in the New Year.

John also confirmed that he is at present filming Doctor Who. He describes the new series as fantastic and full of surprises with a spectacular season finale. The programme also featured Neil Hannon's recording of Love Don't Roam.

The programme is also available via the Radio 2 homepage for the next seven days. The Torchwood comments are about 50 minutes into the programme.
Dalek Empire becomes FEARLESS
Big Finish
February 11, 2007  •  Posted By Jarrod Cooper
In a recent interview with Doctor Who Magazine, Co-Executive Producer Nick Briggs has released more information about the fourth Dalek Empire series. Entitled The Fearless, the series will take place during the first Dalek Empire series and will feature at least one of the original characters. Storylines have already been approved by the BBC, with recording slated for May. This latest serial will be released from September to December.
Major Spoiler revealed in Independent on Sunday
TV Series News
February 10, 2007  •  Posted By Kenny Davidson
A major piece of casting appears to have been revealed for season three of Doctor Who. Click on the spoiler box below to read further, but, be warned, if you are attempting to avoid big spoilers for the forthcoming series, you may wish to think twice before clicking...
With the popular cult telefantasy series Life on Mars returning for a final time on BBC1 this Tuesday, the Independent on Sunday newspaper have a profile and interview with the lead actor, John Simm, which starts off with the statement:

"Travelling back through the years for hit show 'Life on Mars' has given the actor more fame than he knows how to cope with. But now he reveals to Liz Hoggard a new role that will mean seeing a Doctor."

During the course of the interview the article goes on to seemingly confirm a rumour first raised in the Sun by saying the following:

"Although the BBC is planning a spin-off to Life on Mars - called Ashes to Ashes, set in the 1980s and starring [Philip] Glenister, Simm is bowing out. 'My instinct tells me not to hang around too long.'

"He'd like to do some comedy 'in warm weather - preferably on a beach. I always seem to be doing drama in horrible brick locations.' And for years he's been dying to play a proper villain or a serial killer. The problem is Simm still looks 35 going on 15, but finally he's got the chance: he's just been cast in Dr Who - as the Master, the Doctor's evil nemesis. He'll be quite brilliant, of course, but heaven knows how he'll cope with a whole new horde of obsessive Tardis fans."
Doctor Who joins the Beano
Merchandise
February 9, 2007  •  Posted By Kenny Davidson
Both Doctor Who and the Daleks are set to encounter the troublesome Bash Street Kids within the comic strip pages of the new BeanoMAX comic, which goes on sale in the UK on February 15. Issues will be themed around major events, with the launch issue supporting Comic Relief.

In the Doctor Who-related strip, the Bash Street gang need help with their homework but the Daleks tell them they must "study, or you'll all be exterminated".

The publishers say that BeanoMAX, which will be published monthly, is aimed at readers aged nine to thirteen, an older audience than the Beano traditionally enjoys. The Beano, which will continue to be published weekly in tandem with the new publication, will celebrate its 70th anniversary next year.

The Beano Annual has traditionally been the top-selling children's book at Christmas since the 1940's, but was beaten on Christmas 2006 by the Doctor Who Annual.

Other well-known names "appearing" in the strips of this Comic Relief issue include Jamie Oliver, who takes over the school canteen, and Jonathan Ross, Rowan Atkinson (who was one of the star names to play the Doctor in the 1999 Comic Relief TV spoof The Curse of Fatal Death, written by Steven Moffat) and boy band McFly who all drop in on Dennis the Menace. Plus footballers Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard will be appearing in the Ball Boy strip.

Update: Pictures from the comic can be viewed on the BBC Newsround site.
Sylvester McCoy to be in King Lear
People
February 8, 2007  •  Posted By Chuck Foster
Sylvester McCoy appeared on Breakfast this morning to discuss his forthcoming role in King Lear, a new play starring him as The Fool to Sir Ian McKellen's Lear, and performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company. It opens in Newcastle in April, after previews at the end of March in Stratford; it will then tour around the world, including Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and America.

He said he got the role from being at a party with play director Trevor Nunn, who asked him what he'd been doing! However, he also said that he felt a little type-cast, as people have been telling him he's been playing the fool all his career!

Of course, it would be impossible for the Breakfast team not to mention Doctor Who - this was the first topic of conversation! Introduced by a clip from Silver Nemesis, McCoy talked about the fun time he had in the role. When asked about his views on today's Doctor Who, he replied: "I think it's terrific, I'm so pleased - it's great to see children get their own generation of Doctor, and the enjoyment they get from it." And then on comparison with 'the humour and fun' from his own era: "That's rather flattering really, even some of our stories, they've kind of used those. But all their writers and the producers they grew up I suppose during my Doctor, so that influences in them when they create new Doctors."

He is also very impressed with the renewal of the Doctor's oldest adversary: "It does also amaze me that Daleks still terrify people. I was somewhere and a Dalek suddenly appeared, and this child was shaking with fear - I've never seen that kind of real fear and I suddenly thought I've got do something so I said, 'Listen, don't worry, I am the Doctor, I will save you!' I've not been in the role for 15 years but that was all right, the child calmed down and I said, 'It's all right, that Dalek isn't going to touch you.'"

Keep an eye out for more details of King Lear from the RSC's website.
Sarah Jane assists at Sci-fi Ball
People
February 8, 2007  •  Posted By Peter Weaver
Today's Daily Echo reports that Elisabeth Sladen will be attending Bournemouth's annual Science Fiction Ball this weekend. The event, which is raising money for the Macmillan Cancer Unit at Christchurch Hospital, 'offers the chance for photo opportunities and autographs with the stars'. The Ball will be held at Carrington House Hotel in Boscombe from February 9 to 11. (For more details log on to sfball.com or call 070 9281 2101.)
Captain Jack on Radio Two
People
February 7, 2007  •  Posted By Marcus
John Barrowman will be presenting a two-hour show on BBC Radio Two this weekend. He will be sitting in for Elaine Paige, hosting her Sunday lunchtime programme, dedicated to musical theatre.

The programme will also feature music from the 2007 Bafta nominees in advance of the Bafta ceremony that evening. There will be a phone in quiz based on musicals and entrants are requested to email via the programme's web page.

The programme can be heard between 1300 and 1500 UK time. In the UK it is available on Radio on 88-91 FM. It is also available live via the Radio 2 homepage and for seven days following the broadcast via the BBC listen again facility.
TV Times: DW returns in March, and Tennant to stay
TV Series News
February 6, 2007  •  Posted By Kenny Davidson
UK listings magazine TV Times features an interview with David Tennant this week. The magazine states that the series returns in March and David's response to the rumours of him quitting is to say that "You shouldn't believe everything you read in the papers."

The interview contains reference to some spoilers. Click on the box below to reveal them.
David says this about Smith and Jones - "The Judoon are pretty extraordinary, they're sort of intergalatic stormtroopers who take Martha and I off to the moon. It's just part of the madness and brilliance of doing this show that it seems to keep bettering itself every time."

Of Martha, David says: "She's a very different character to Rose" and of the blue suit - "Its an alternative suit, but that doesn't mean we lost the old one."

He also talks of guest stars coming up, all names we already know about - Anne Reid, Roy Marsden, Dean Lennox Kelly and Mark Gatiss. There is also small bits about the Shakespeare Globe, Professor Lazarus and confirmation that there will be Art Deco Daleks!
Billie Piper on Top Gear
People
February 5, 2007  •  Posted By Kenny Davidson
According to UK tabloid the Sun, former Doctor Who companion Billie Piper is scheduled to appear on BBC2's Top Gear programme next week as the latest celebrity to show off their driving skills in the show's Star In a Reasonably Priced Car slot.

Piper will complete a timed lap, driving a Chevrolet Lacetti around the show's test track, aiming to beat the times set by previous celebrities - including Christopher Eccleston - and get to the top of the leader board.
Survival delayed
DVD and Video
February 2, 2007  •  Posted By R. Alan Siler
2 Entertain announced today that the planned 2-disc DVD release of "Survival", the final broadcast story of the Original Series, starring Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor, Sophie Aldred as Ace, and Anthony Ainley as the Master, has been pushed back two weeks. The disk is now scheduled to be available on retail shelves in the UK on April 16.
A Dog's Life
Special Events
February 1, 2007  •  Posted By Josiah Rowe
John Leeson, the voice of K-9, will be appearing at the Questors Theatre in Ealing this Sunday, February 4, at 8pm. The programme is titled "A Dog's Life - An Evening with John Leeson".

Details are available at the theatre's website, and there's a cute Flash animation about the show here.
New Books Announced
Books
February 1, 2007  •  Posted By Jarrod Cooper
The latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine includes several new titles and release dates for new series books.

Creatures and Demons by Justin Richards will be out in May and will include "the Celestial Toymaker, the Quarks, Giant Maggots, the Krynoid, and more".

September sees three new novels. Wetworld by Mark Michalowski "pits the Doctor and Martha against nasty swamp monsters". Forever Autumn is by Mark Morris, who tells us to "expect something very scary". Finally, there is The Wicked Bungalow (working title) by Paul Magrs.
Torchwood - the Shopping Center?
Torchwood
February 1, 2007  •  Posted By Jarrod Cooper
The South Wales Echo has reported that there is now a call to have Cardiff's new shopping center to be named after the Torchwood team.
It's a secret agency committed to fighting otherwordly threats - now there are calls for Cardiff's massive new shopping development to be named after it.

Torchwood, the team that hunts aliens from its underground Cardiff Bay HQ in the BBC sci-fi drama, should lend its name to Cardiff's £650m St David's 2 development, according to one city councillor.

Self-confessed sci-fi fan Councillor Richard Foley is calling for the massive shopping complex to be named Torchwood. The councillor, who represents Llanishen and Thornhill, is even raising the matter at the authority's next meeting.

He said the development should have a name of its own to distinguish it from the city's existing St David's centre. Coun Foley said "If it could be called Torchwood I think it would be amazing and a boost for tourism. The programme has showcased the city so well." Coun Foley will now press Cardiff council leader Rodney Berman for a statement on the possibility of renaming the development. And he insists there is a serious matter behind his question. "I have been told that St David's 2 is a working title but we have still not had a debate on what the name should be, despite repeated requests from myself and other members. However, it appears Coun Foley's name change could be dashed. City centre manager Paul Williams said he expected the new complex to be known as St David's 2.

"People know St David's and it's vitally important we preserve the name and recognise the heritage, even in a 21st century development," he said. Council leader Rodney Berman said "Torchwood is a great ambassador for the city and has helped to put 21st Century Cardiff on the map. On a personal level I have a lot of sympathy for the idea but the practicalities are not quite that simple. The council does not have the right to the name of Torchwood. That rests with the BBC and the naming of the development rests with the developers."

A spokesman for the St David's Partnership said "St David's 2 is a brand name designed to differentiate it from the existing St David's Shopping Centre during construction. The intention on completion in 2009 is for both centres to be known collectively as the St David's Shopping Centre."
Big Finish Updates for 2007
Big Finish
February 1, 2007  •  Posted By Jarrod Cooper
Big Finish has published information for their upcoming releases in 2007, including the 100th title for the Doctor Who range. The latest cover for the Paul McGann BBC7 series, The Horror of Glam Rock, can be viewed by clicking on the preview below.

March 2007 sees the Fifth Doctor and Nyssa experiencing the Renaissance of the Daleks. April sees the first 'dual' release, with the Sixth Doctor stories I.D. and Urgent Calls. The following month, the Fifth Doctor does double duty with Exotron and Urban Myths. The Seventh Doctor visits Valhalla in June, with The Wishing Beast and The Vanity Box featuring the Sixth Doctor in July. August has the Seventh Doctor experiencing Frozen Time. September has two seperate releases, starting with the Fifth Doctor meeting the Son of the Dragon in the early part of the month.

The 100th Release of the Big Finish Doctor Who range is Earthstorm by award-winning author Stephen Baxter, which features the Sixth Doctor and is due to be released late September. Baxter is one of Britain's most respected hard science-fiction novelists, his books include The Time Ships, which was an authorised sequel to H.G. Wells influential classic The Time Machine.

The Eighth Doctor will continue to have his BBC7 adventures released monthly alongside his predecessors in the main range. Also, Doctor Who Magazine reports that there is a fourth series of Dalek Empire and a second series of Cyberman in the works. The Dalek Empire series will be set during the first series but from a different perspective. There will also be a free CD with the purchase of DWM issue 380.
PJ Hammond back for more Torchwood
Torchwood
February 1, 2007  •  Posted By Kenny Davidson
Cult sci-fi writer P.J. Hammond, responsible for the Torchwood episode Small Worlds, is to return to write for season two of the Doctor Who spin-off. In an interview with Dreamwatch Total SciFi he was reluctant to talk about his ideas for season two, but he did say, "I think they want me to keep to the supernatural. They probably think it's my bag."

The interiew also details his discussions last year with ITV who wanted to revive his cult series Sapphire and Steel, which ran on the network in the late 1970s and early '80s. The discussions reached an impasse when the network requested too many changes that the writer wasn't prepared to incorporate. "It was definitely going away from the direction I would have wanted it to be in. I did manage to put together some good thoughts, though, so I could always use them for something else."