It seems that barely a week goes by without some Doctor Who-related news story, but this time rather than some casting or a Dalek turning up for an audition, we've got something that could rival the Doctor's unscheduled arrival on the Web just over 12 months ago.

As reported on Kasterborous last week, this month's BBC Focus Magazine heavily features the upcomiong Doctor Who book "The Science of Doctor Who". It seems, however, that this very book is by the editor of BBC Focus Magazine, Paul Parsons. Now this might not seem too unusual, although you could read into it a certain conflict of interest. However, according to The Independent:

"...the book, which has a foreword by the doyen of science fiction writers Arthur C Clarke, is not even published by the BBC. It is clearly described as an "unofficial guide", because it is published by the independent publishers Icon Books"

According to a BBC spokesperson yesterday (March 22nd):

Given that Paul is a Doctor Who expert, it was only natural that he write this article. All book reviews carried out for the magazine are impartial and independent, and indeed Paul's book was peer reviewed by the award-winning science fiction author Dr Alastair Reynolds.

BBC News, meanwhile, reports that the organisation is to investigate whether or not Parsons broke editor's guidelines. According to BBC guidelines:

"There must never be any suggestion that commercial or financial interests have influenced BBC coverage or the subject matter of programmes or the choice of items."

Fascinating story, we'll continue to watch it with interest. And you can buy the book on Amazon.

More publications now, and you might be interested to know that SFX Magazine are issueing ANOTHER Doctor Who special! not content with spoiling us last year, and giving us a Doctor and Rose cover this month, the magazine is releasing the special on April 5th, according to BrandRepublic.com. However, beware:

The magazine, which goes on sale on April 5 priced £5.99, brings together various 'Doctor Who' features dating as far back as the days of Tom Baker. The edition, which has a limited printrun of 25,000 copies, will also include an interview with the new series writer Russell T Davies.

Put me down for three!