Lethbridge-Stewart: Moon BlinkBookmark and Share

Tuesday, 16 February 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Candy Jar Books have released further details on the latest book in their Lethbridge-Stewart series, Moon Blink, which has been written by Sadie Miller and due to be published in April.

Lethbridge-Stewart: Moon Blink (Credit: Candy Jar Books)Lethbridge-Stewart: Moon Blink
Written by Sadie Miller
Published by Candy Jar Books, April 2015

July 1969, and mankind is on the Moon. Both the United States
and Soviet Russia have lunar bases, and both are in trouble.

Back on Earth, Anne Travers has learned she is about to be
visited by an old friend from America, Doctor Patricia
Richards. Lance Corporal Bill Bishop is aware
of the visit, and is on hand to meet Richards.

She brings with her a surprise, one which the Americans and
Russians wish to get their hands on. But the only man who can
truly help Anne, Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart, is away in Scotland.

It’s a game of cat and mouse, as Anne and Bishop
seek to protect the life of an innocent baby –
one that holds the secrets to life on the Moon.

The book features a cover from Adrian Salmon, who also provided the artwork for last year's The Schizoid Earth and Mutually Assured Domination. Salmon said:
It was an honour to be chosen to draw Sadie's cover for Moon Blink. We went for something emblematic echoing the great Target covers of yore. I ended up sending two colour versions which Shaun brilliantly combined to make the final cover.
Range editor Andy Frankham-Allen added:
We are delighted with this latest piece of work from Adrian. And this time, not only do we highlight our co-stars Lethbridge-Stewart and Anne Travers, but we get to show the world Lance Corporal Bishop, a fan favourite from three of last year’s titles, now a regular in the series.

For 2016, the range also sees a revamped logo; Shaun Russell, head of publishing says
We wanted to do something different this year, and the revamped logo and background colour reflects that. Colin Howard has done a fantastic job of giving Simon Williams’ original design a bit more weight.

Moon Blink headlines the 2016 series of Lethbridge-Stewart novels, and is available to pre-order from the Candy Jar Books website. It is followed later in the year by The Showstoppers by Jonathan Cooper and The Grandfather Infestation by John Peel, with a further three novels due to be released in the autumn.




FILTER: - Books - Candy Jar Books - Merchandise

365 Days of Memorable Moments and Impossible ThingsBookmark and Share

Tuesday, 16 February 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster
BBC Books publish a new non-fiction book bringing together a day-to-day collection of key points in Doctor Who's history and narrative; 365 Days of Memorable Moments and Impossible Things is written by Justin Richards and is released on the 10th March:

365 Days of Memorable Moments and Impossible Things (Credit: BBC Books)365 Days of Memorable Moments and Impossible Things
Written by Justin Richards
Published by BBC Books, 10th March 2016 [pre-order]

For over half a century, Doctor Who has entertained and enthralled fans with the time-travelling adventures of the Doctor and his companions. From that first glimpse of a police telephone box in a Totter's Lane junkyard, to meeting terrifying villains such as the Daleks or the Weeping Angels, to the fall of the Doctor's home planet Gallifrey, the beloved series has provided a near-inexhaustible list of indelible memories.

This book is a unique and captivating day-by-day chronicle of those memories. In this fascinating compilation of fictional and historical events from the world's longest running science-fiction show. Doctor Who expert Justin Richards revisits iconic characters, thrilling plot twists and memorable battles, as well as sharing bonus behind-the-scenes secrets from both the classic and new series.

On this day in Doctor Who:
  • 8th January: Leela joins the fourth Doctor in the TARDIS
  • 1st February: The Cybermen disrupt Jackie Tyler's 40th birthday
  • 25th February: The Sontarans invade Gallifrey
  • 6th March: Rose Tyler joins the ninth Doctor in the TARDIS
  • 10th March: Davros creates the Daleks
  • 10th April: The Titanic sets sail with the ninth Doctor on board
  • 30th April: The War Doctor ends the last Great Time War
  • 3rd July: Steven Taylor joins the first Doctor in the TARDIS
  • 7th September: The seventh Doctor is born
  • 23rd November: The first Doctor appears in the first ever episode of Doctor Who
  • 3rd December: Agatha Christie solves a mystery with the tenth Doctor
  • 15th December: The fourth Doctor meets Sarah Jane Smith




FILTER: - BBC - Books

Most Loved Shows on iPlayerBookmark and Share

Monday, 15 February 2016 - Reported by Marcus
Doctor Who has been voted number four a list of most loved shows on the BBC iPlayer.

The list has been collected from audience members clicking on the heart button on the BBC iPlayer. The button was introduced in March 2015, and allows the audience to instantly show love for a programme.

Top of the list was the soap opera EastEnders with children's drama The Next Step, which charts the lives of a group of young dancers as they make their way through dance school, coming second.

Two of the most popular dramas of the last year Poldark and War And Peace make the list alongside established audience favourites Sherlock and Casualty.
  1. EastEnders
  2. The Next Step
  3. Match of the Day
  4. Doctor Who
  5. Strictly Come Dancing
  6. Casualty
  7. The Great British Bake Off
  8. The Apprentice
  9. Poldark
  10. Sherlock
  11. Council House Crackdown
  12. War and Peace




FILTER: - BBC

2016 Doctor Who Comics Day AnnouncedBookmark and Share

Monday, 15 February 2016 - Reported by Marcus

Titan Comics have announced this year's global Doctor Who Comics Day event will take place on Saturday, July 9, 2016.

Doctor Who Comics Day is a global event inspired by Titan Comics’ Doctor Who comic books. In its third year, the event is set to be even bigger with new comics and collections, signings and events across the globe.

2015’s event tied-in with a special, brand-new, five-part weekly Doctor Who comics cross-over series by Paul Cornell and Neil Edwards, and saw comic readers get the chance to celebrate Doctor Who Comics Day at over 2900 locations including comic shops, bookstores, retail chains and libraries.

Ricky Claydon, Direct Sales & Marketing Manager at Titan Comics, said
We’ve got some great things planned for this year’s 2016 Doctor Who Comics Day event. As well as working closely with stores and libraries to develop events for the day, for 2016 we’ll be supplying Doctor Who fans with event kits to hold their own reading group events.
To sign-up your store, library, or register for an event kit to host your own reading group event on Doctor Who Comics day, visit ​Titan-Comics.com​




FILTER: - Comics

BBC Audio: release scheduleBookmark and Share

Saturday, 13 February 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster
BBC Audio continue their range of audiobooks based upon the original Target novelisations of Doctor Who stories, with the original, unabridged readings made by well-known actors associated with the series. The release schedule over the next few months cover the first five Doctors:
  • Doctor Who and the State of Decay (Credit: BBC Audio)Geoffrey Beevers reads this exciting novelisation of a 1980 TV adventure featuring the Fourth Doctor, as played by Tom Baker.

    The Doctor, Romana and K9 - and a young stowaway called Adric - are trapped in the alternative universe of E-Space. Seeking help, the land on an unknown planet. There they find a nightmare world where oppressed peasants toil for the Lords who live in the Tower, and where all learning is forbidden: a society in a state of decay. What is the terrifying secret of the Three Who Rule? What monstrous creature stirs beneath the Tower, waking from its thousand year sleep? The Doctor discovers that the oldest and deadliest enemy of the Time Lords is about to spring into horrifying action.

    John Leeson provides the Voice of K9.

  • Doctor Who: The Space Museum (Credit: BBC Audio)An unabridged reading of this novelisation of a classic 1965 TV serial featuring the First Doctor, as played on TV by William Hartnell.

    The TARDIS materialises on what, at first sight, appears to be a dry and lifeless planet serving only as a graveyard for spaceships. The Doctor, Ian, Barbara and Vicki discover a magnificent museum housing relics from every corner of the galaxy. These have been assembled by the Moroks, a race of cruel conquerors who have invaded the planet Xeros and enslaved its inhabitants. Upon further exploration the TARDIS crew seem to stumble upon the impossible: for suddenly, facing them in an exhibit case, they find...themselves!

  • Death to the Daleks (Credit: BBC Audio)An unabridged reading of this classic novelisation, based on a BBC TV adventure featuring the Third Doctor.

    A mysterious power loss strands the TARDIS on Exxilon, a sinister fog-shrouded alien planet. The Doctor meets the survivors of a beleaguered expedition from Earth, while Sarah finds a mysterious super-city and becomes a captive of the savage Exxilons. Worst of all, the Doctor's greatest enemies, the Daleks, arrive on a secret mission of their own. The Doctor and Sarah must risk their lives time and again in a desperate attempt to foil the Daleks and save millions of humans from a horrific plague.

    Nicholas Briggs provides the Voice of the Daleks.

  • The Invasion (Credit: BBC Audio)An unabridged reading of an exciting classic novelisation, based on a TV adventure featuring the Second Doctor, as played by Patrick Troughton.

    Materialising in Outer Space, the TARDIS is attached by a missile fired from the dark side of the moon. Back on Earth, the newly-formed United Nations Intelligence Taskforce (UNIT), led by Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, is disturbed by a series of UFO sightings over Southern England. Meanwhile, a large consigment of mysterious crates is delivered to the headquarters of International Electromatix, the largest computer and electronics firm in the world. These three seemingly unconnected events are in fact the preparations for a massive Cyberman invasion of Earth, with one aim: the total annihilation of the human race.

    Nicholas Briggs provides the Voice of the Cybermen.

  • The King's Demons (Credit: BBC Audio)An unabridged reading of an exciting novelisation, based on a TV adventure featuring the Fifth Doctor, as played by Peter Davison.

    It is 4 March 1215, and the TARDIS materialises in England during a jousting match held in the presence of King John. It soon becomes apparent to the Doctor that something is very wrong. Why does John express no fear or surprise at the time travellers' sudden appearance, and indeed welcome them as the King's Demons? And what is the true identity of Sir Gilles, the King's Champion? Very soon the Doctor finds himself involved in a fiendish plan to alter the course of world history, by one of his oldest and deadliest enemies.

  • Doctor Who and The Claws of Axos (Credit: BBC Audio)An unabridged reading of this classic novelisation of an adventure featuring the Third Doctor, as played on TV by Jon Pertwee.

    'Axos calling Earth, Axos calling Earth...’

    The creatures stood before them, offering friendship and their priceless Axonite, in return for - what? Only the Doctor remains suspicious. What is the real reason for the Axon’s sudden arrival on Earth? And why is the evil Master a passenger on their spaceship? He very soon finds out...

    The reader of this audiobook has yet to be revealed.
  • Doctor Who and The Sontaran Experiment (Credit: BBC Audio)July: Doctor Who and the Sontaran Experiment, written by Ian Marter

    An unabridged reading of this classic novelisation of a Fourth Doctor TV adventure from 1975.

    Landing on Earth - now a barren, desolate planet - Sarah, Harry and the Doctor are unaware of a large, watching robot. The robot is the work of Styre, a Sontaran warrior, who uses all humans landing here for his experimental programmes. What has happened to the other space explorers who have come here? Why is Styre so interested in Earth, and in brutally torturing humans, including Sarah Jane? Will the Doctor be able to prevent an invasion, and save both Earth and his companions?

    The reader of this audiobook has yet to be revealed.

Meanwhile, other audiobook adaptations of novels and original recordings include:
  • The Witch Hunters (Credit: BBC Audio)David Collings reads this original novel adventure for the First Doctor and his companions, set in the 17th Century during the Salem Witch Trials.

    With the Doctor wanting to repair the TARDIS in peace, his companions Barbara, Ian and Susan decide to get some experience of living in the nearby village of Salem. But the Doctor knows about the horrors destined to engulf the village and determines that they should leave. Susan has her own ideas, and is desperate to return to Salem, whatever the cost. Yet her actions will lead them all into terrible danger, and cause the tragedy that is already unfolding to escalate out of control.

    Featuring the First Doctor, as played on TV by William Hartnell.

  • Shadow in the Glass (Credit: BBC Audio)An unabridged reading of this original BBC Books novel featuring the Sixth Doctor, as played on TV by Colin Baker.

    When an RAF squadron shoots down an unidentified aircraft over Turelhampton, the village is immediately evacuated. But why is the village still guarded by troops in 2001? When a television documentary crew break through the cordon looking for a story, they find they've recorded more than they'd bargained for. Caught up in both a deadly conspiracy and a historical mystery, retired Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart calls upon his old friend the Doctor. Half-glimpsed demons watch from the shadows as the Doctor and the Brigadier travel back in time to discover the last, and deadliest, secret of the Second World War.

  • The Memory of Winter (Credit: BBC Audio)Jemma Redgrave reads this brand new, original adventure for the 12th Doctor and Clara.

    In 15th Century France the time travellers encounter a band of soldiers protecting a mysterious young woman. Joan of Arc is troubled by voices, telling her things she should not know about: things concerning the Doctor's own people, the Time Lords. Compelled to discover where she is getting the information from, the Doctor and Clara are drawn into danger.

    Written by George Mann (author of The Engines of War and The House of Winter), the story is read by Jemma Redgrave, who plays Kate Lethbridge-Stewart in the TV series.

  • Amorality TaleAn unabridged reading of this original novel featuring the Third Doctor, as played on TV by Jon Pertwee, and his companion Sarah Jane Smith.

    When gangster Tommy Ramsey is released from prison, he is determined to retake control of his 1950s East End territory. But new arrivals threaten his grip on illegal activity in the area. An evangelical minister is persuading people to seek redemption from their sins. A new gang is claiming the streets. And a watchmaker called Smith is leading a revolt against the Ramsey Mob's protection racket. When Tommy strikes back at his enemies, a far more terrifying threat is revealed. Within hours the city's air turns into nerve gas and thousands succumb to the choking fumes. London is dying...

  • Shakedown (Credit: BBC Audio)An unabridged reading of this original novel featuring the Seventh Doctor, as played on TV by Sylvester McCoy.

    For thousands of years the Sontarans and the Rutans have fought a brutal war across the galaxy. Now the Sontarans have a secret plan to destroy the Rutan race – a secret plan the Doctor is racing against time to uncover. Only one Rutan spy knows the Sontarans’ plan. As he is chased through the galaxy in a desperate bid for his life, he reaches the planet Sentarion – where Professor Bernice Summerfield’s research into the history of the Sontaran-Rutan war is turning
    into an explosive reality...

  • Credit: BBC AudioAn unabridged reading of Paul Cornell's novelisation based on his animated drama of the same name.

    When the Doctor lands his TARDIS in the Lancashire town of Lannet, in the present day, he finds that something is terribly wrong. The people are scared. They don't like going out onto the streets at night, they don't like making too much noise, and they certainly don't like strangers asking too many questions. What alien force has invaded the town? Why is it watching barmaid Alison Cheney? And what plans does it have for the future of the planet Earth? The Doctor is helped (and hindered) by his new military liaison Major Kennet and his Royal Green Jacket troop. His old enemy the Master also plays a small part. During the course of this adventure he encounters a brand new race of ferocious alien monsters, and strikes up a friendship with his latest companion, Alison.

    While starting with a small community under threat, this old-fashioned, very traditional but very up to date Doctor Who adventure takes in the entire world, from New Zealand to India, Siberia to the USA, and cosmic expanses beyond.

    The reader of this audiobook has yet to be revealed.

  • Illegal Alien (Credit: BBC Audio)An unabridged reading of this original novel featuring the Seventh Doctor, as played on TV by Sylvester McCoy, and Ace in an encounter with the Cybermen.

    The Blitz is at its height. As the Luftwaffe bomb London, Cody McBridge, ex-pat American private eye, sees a sinister silver sphere crash-land. He glimpses something emerging from within. The military dismiss his account of events - the sphere must be a new German secret weapon that has malfunctioned. What else could it be? Arriving amid the chaos, the Doctor and Ace embark on a trail that brings them face to face with hidden Nazi agents and some very old enemies...

    The reader of this audiobook has yet to be revealed.





FILTER: - BBC Audio - Merchandise

Target re-issues in 2016Bookmark and Share

Saturday, 13 February 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster
BBC NovelisationsBBC NovelisationsBBC NovelisationsBBC NovelisationsBBC NovelisationsBBC NovelisationsBBC NovelisationsBBC Books have announced that seven of the original Doctor Who Target novelisations are to be re-issued on 28th April, reflecting each of the seven Doctors from the range:
  • Doctor Who and the Zarbi by Bill Strutton
  • Doctor Who and the Web of Fear by Terrance Dicks
  • Doctor Who and the Dinosaur Invasion by Malcolm Hulke
  • Doctor Who and the Genesis of the Daleks by Terrance Dicks
  • Doctor Who: The Visitation by Eric Saward
  • Doctor Who: Vengeance on Varos by Philip Martin
  • Doctor Who: Battlefield by Marc Platt
All of the books feature cover illustrations by Chris Achilleos, who was commissioned to create new covers for the latter books in the range. He said:
I am delighted to be back on board after so many years. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, illustrating the jackets in the original old style – it felt just the same, and I am looking forward to signing them for the fans. I'm so pleased that people still want to revisit these books.

Albert DePetrillo, senior editorial director at BBC Books, said
The Target novelisations hold a special place in the hearts of Doctor Who fans. When we published our first set of reissues in 2012, the response was overwhelming, and we’re delighted to continue bringing these classic books to a new generation of readers.


The three original novels that launched the range back in 1972, Doctor Who and The Daleks and Doctor Who and The Crusaders by David Whitaker, and Doctor Who and the Zarbi by Bill Strutton, are also set to be re-released as hardback facsimile editions on 3rd November.





FILTER: - BBC - Books - Fifth Doctor - First Doctor - Fourth Doctor - Second Doctor - Seventh Doctor

Bedford Who Charity ConBookmark and Share

Saturday, 13 February 2016 - Reported by Marcus
The second Bedford Who Charity Con takes place in April, and the organisers are offering a discount to anyone who reads about the convention on Doctor Who News.

The event raises money for Bedford Foodbank, a local charity providing emergency food for people in crisis. Each month, some 500 children and adults are fed who would otherwise go hungry.

This year's event takes place on Saturday 23rd April 2016, with confirmed guests including Katy Manning, Deborah Watling, Sophie Aldred and John Leeson.

Tickets are £40 for adults; £20 for 14 - 18 year olds and full-time students; and £15 for under-14s. Concessions and family tickets are also available. However if you mention that you read about the event on Doctor Who News, you’ll receive a 10% discount on the price. Further details on the convention’s website and Facebook Page.




FILTER: - Conventions

DWM Increases CirculationBookmark and Share

Friday, 12 February 2016 - Reported by Marcus
Doctor Who Magazine has increased its circulation according to figures released by the Audit Bureau of Circulations.

In the period July to December 2015 the magazine had an official certified circulation of 26,514 copies, up from 25,663 in the previous six month period. The figure is good news for the magazine which has arrested a steady decline in circulation since the peak of 36,000 in the second half of 2013.

Not such good news for Doctor Who Adventures which now has a certified circulation of 17,710, down from 20,506 in the previous six months. The magazine was transferred to Panini during the first part of 2015.




FILTER: - DWA - DWM

Doctors Supporting DoctorsBookmark and Share

Wednesday, 10 February 2016 - Reported by Marcus
Peter Capaldi in Dame Vivienne Westwood designed Support Junior Doctors tshirt (Credit: Sarah Sheldrake)Peter Capaldi and Sir John Hurt have both lent their support to the #WearYourNHS campaign, set up to raise awareness of the issues and challenges facing the NHS at present.

The actors are pictured wearing a 'Support Junior Doctors' tshirt, designed by fashion icon Dame Vivienne Westwood. The #WearYourNHS Campaign, spearheaded by Dr Lauren Gavaghan, a Senior Registrar in Psychiatry in London, was started as a means to open up the issue of the Junior Doctors Contract negotiations to the public.

Junior Doctors, working for the NHS in England, have today been taking part in their second one day strike, in protest at changes proposed to their contracts by the Government. The management insist the changes are needed to provide a seven day health service in the future. The Junior Doctors are worried that the changes will spread overworked staff even more thinly and jeopardize patient health.

The #WearYourNHS campaign is a play on the words We Are Your NHS. Gavaghan wanted to encourage people to start thinking about the NHS as they might a shirt worn on their backs, something they may take for granted and only miss if it were gone one day.

This latest stage of the campaign sees Capaldi taking part in a session with photographer Sarah Sheldrake. The pictures show THE Dr and 20 ‘Junior’ Doctors, all from a range of medical specialities including A&E/Emergency Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatric Anaesthetics, GP, Rheumatology, Acute General Medicine, Intensive Care, and Psychiatry, some senior in their specialities.

On why he was supporting Junior Doctors, Capaldi just said
It’s a Matter of Trust
The Twelfth Doctor was joined by the War Doctor in the photoshoot, with veteran actor Sir John Hurt taking part. Hurt was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015, and is now doing well following treatment. On why he chose to support Junior Doctors he said
The most important thing is that they (doctors) are not to be mistrusted. They do not do this for fun. (go on strike). It is about medicine. Medicine shouldn’t be anything to do with politics at all. Politics should be bending over backwards to support medicine.
Speaking as to why she organised the campaign, Dr Lauren Gavaghan said
The photoshoot with Peter Capaldi and 20 Junior Doctors was to highlight some of our struggles. We feel as though we are up against a well-oiled propaganda machine, and that much of the time we are silenced, gagged and prevented from speaking in more than mere sound bites.

The photographs also illustrate something of what it is like to be silenced, to be gagged, with some of the doctors seen wearing surgical masks to demonstrate this point. Some have their hands tied with stethoscopes, in an effort to show the pain involved in feeling as though ones hands are literally tied, whilst the government continues to peddle lies.
Full details on the campaign website

Peter Capaldi and Junior Doctors in Dame Vivienne Westwood designed Support Junior Doctors tshirt (Credit: Sarah Sheldrake) Peter Capaldi in Dame Vivienne Westwood designed Support Junior Doctors tshirt (Credit: Sarah Sheldrake) Peter Capaldi in Dame Vivienne Westwood designed Support Junior Doctors tshirt (Credit: Sarah Sheldrake) Peter Capaldi in Dame Vivienne Westwood designed Support Junior Doctors tshirt (Credit: Sarah Sheldrake)
Peter Capaldi in Dame Vivienne Westwood designed Support Junior Doctors tshirt (Credit: Sarah Sheldrake) Peter Capaldi in Dame Vivienne Westwood designed Support Junior Doctors tshirt (Credit: Sarah Sheldrake) Sir John Hurt in Dame Vivienne Westwood designed Support Junior Doctors tshirt (Credit: Sarah Sheldrake) Sir John Hurt in Dame Vivienne Westwood designed Support Junior Doctors tshirt (Credit: Sarah Sheldrake)




FILTER: - John Hurt - Peter Capaldi

Doctor Who Digital Pinball Table - Fully FundedBookmark and Share

Tuesday, 9 February 2016 - Reported by Marcus

The kickstarter project to help recreate the 1990's Doctor Who Pinball Table in digital form, has reached its target.

With three days to go the project has raised over $56,000, enough to purchase the the licences to allow Farsight studios to recreate the famous 1992 Doctor Who Pinball Table for Consoles and Mobile devices.

In addition the makers have announced that, as well as recreating the classic Doctor Who table, they intend to develop an modern version of the table, featuring the latest doctors and new material from the show.

New tiers have been added to the Kickstarter campaign that include early access to this new version of the table.

The campaign closes on Saturday.

For full details see the project's Kickstarter page.




FILTER: - Games