Season 18 Burgundy ScarfBookmark and Share

Thursday, 18 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Season 18 Burgundy Scarf  (Credit: Lovarzi)Season 18 Burgundy Scarf  (Credit: Lovarzi)Season 18 Burgundy Scarf  (Credit: Lovarzi)Following the sell-out success of Lovarzi's Fourth Doctor Season 18 Burgundy Scarf, the company has reproduced this iconic look in a shorter, more manageable size.

In 2013, Lovarzi released a 12ft Season 18 Scarf – and it quickly became a fan favourite. But due to popular demand, LOVARZI has made a second version, using the same screen-accurate design, but at a more concise 195 cm. That's around half the length of the previous one, meaning you can wrap up warm without dragging the tassels on the floor/ swamps of Alzarius.

The Fourth Doctor returned to television screens in 1980 with a new look which was fresh and bold, but still paid homage to the past. Designed by June Hudson, this darker outfit was made at the behest of incoming producer, John Nathan-Turner, and debuted in The Leisure Hive.

Baker wore this throughout his swansong season, as the Doctor faced a spiky duplicate in Meglos; explored E-Space in Full Circle, State of Decay, and Warrior's Gate; met The Keeper of Traken; and took a final fall in Logopolis.

The Fourth Doctor Season 18 Burgundy (Shorter) Scarf is made from high-quality lightweight Acrylic Chenille, staying true to the original. It also comes in a specially-designed carry-case, ideal for storage, so it's great for cosplayers and collectors.

Maninder Singh Sahota, Director of Lovarzi, says
When we released a shorter version of our original Tom Baker Scarf, we were overwhelmed by the response, especially at the Doctor Who Festival. Our full-sized scarves are great for conventions, but we know they can be unwieldy in everyday life. That's why we've made this shorter version of the Burgundy Scarf, perfect for fans to show off their credentials wherever they are.
Lovarzi's officially-licensed Doctor Who line launched in 2012 with the best-selling multi-coloured Fourth Doctor Scarf. Since then, the company has catered for fans of all eras with items including the Fourth Doctor Knitted Tie, TARDIS Folding Umbrella, and 18ft Season 16- 17 Scarf. The Fourth Doctor Season 18 Burgundy (Shorter) Scarf will be available to buy from 19th October 2018, priced £24.99, from Lovarzi.co.uk and Amazon.

Members of Lovarzi’s exclusive Doctor Who Fan Club can take advantage of a 15% discount on the Burgundy (Shorter) Scarf - and further discounts whenever new Doctor Who items are added to the range! Become a member by clicking here.




FILTER: - Clothing - Fourth Doctor

Zygon Hunt On VinylBookmark and Share

Wednesday, 17 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Zygon Hunt (Credit: Big Finish)Following the sell-out success of Big Finish Productions limited edition Doctor Who stories on vinyl earlier this year, the audio company have announced another exclusive release.

Sainsbury's will release Doctor Who: Zygon Hunt starring Tom Baker and Louise Jameson on 19th October 2018.

The Zygons returned to take on Tom Baker as the Fourth Doctor in this Doctor Who full-cast audio drama from 2014. The Doctor had previously encountered the Zygons and a Skarasen on Tulloch Moor, Scotland in the 1975 television story, Terror of the Zygons.

Of the Zygon Hunt release, the Fourth Doctor, Tom Baker said
Well! I’m at the disposal of the fans who created me and sustain me. If they want me flat and round and vinyl and spinning too, well, I’m their Who to whit to woo.
Designer Mark Plastow said
Adapting the format for these Big Finish releases has been a joy – I get to indulge in two of my obsessions. I adore Doctor Who and I adore vinyl, and putting the two together makes the world just that little bit better. Art really doesn’t like being squeezed down to a measly 12cm, it wants to be big and bold, it wants to be on your wall!
The release will be a numbered limited edition on coloured vinyl, and only available in the UK.

Zygon Hunt was the eighth and final story in the third series of The Fourth Doctor Adventures, produced by Big Finish Productions.




FILTER: - Audio - Big Finish - Vinyl

New TARDIS PicturesBookmark and Share

Wednesday, 17 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
The BBC has released a set of pictures showing the new look TARDIS as revealed in last weeks episode of Doctor Who.

: Tardis Interior (Credit: BBC Studios (James Pardon)): Tardis Interior (Credit: BBC Studios (James Pardon)): Tardis Interior (Credit: BBC Studios (James Pardon)): Tardis Interior (Credit: BBC Studios (James Pardon)): Tardis Interior (Credit: BBC Studios (James Pardon)): Tardis Interior (Credit: BBC Studios (James Pardon)): Tardis Interior (Credit: BBC Studios (James Pardon)): Tardis Interior (Credit: BBC Studios (James Pardon)): Tardis Interior (Credit: BBC Studios (James Pardon)): Tardis Interior (Credit: BBC Studios (James Pardon)): Tardis Interior (Credit: BBC Studios (James Pardon)): Tardis Interior (Credit: BBC Studios (James Pardon))




FILTER: - Doctor Who - series 11/37

The Woman Who Fell To Earth Tops ChartsBookmark and Share

Monday, 15 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
The Woman Who Fell to Earth: The Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) (Credit: BBC Studios (Ben Blackall))Doctor Who The Woman Who Fell To Earth was the most watched programme of the week on British Television with 10.90 million viewers.

Jodie Whittaker's debut as The Doctor had an audience of 10.5 million watching on a TV set. However official figures from the Broadcasting Research Audience Board show that an additional 234,000 watched on their PC, 110,000 watched on a Tablet device and 22,000 watched on a smartphone. These figures are now included in the official BARB 4-Screen Dashboard and make Doctor Who the most watched programme of the week ending 7th October.

Strictly Come Dancing took the next two places with a total of 10.88 million watching the Saturday edition and 9.90 million watching the Sunday results show. Channel 4 took 4th place with the ex BBC production The Great British Bake Off scoring 8.91 million.

The highest ITV show was Monday's Coronation Street with 7.80 million watching.

In its entire history Doctor Who has only topped the TV Rating chart for the week on four occasions, the last time was in 2013 for the 50th Anniversary special The Day of the Doctor.

Doctor Who's audience was split 49% male/51% Female, the reversal from the 2017 figures which had a small majority male audience. The episode had an Appreciation Index score of 83.The consolidated volume also makes Doctor Who the number one drama launch of the year so far. The series opener has also proved a big hit with 16-34 year olds, with 1.8million watching the first episode.

Chris Chibnall, Showrunner, said
On behalf of the entire Doctor Who team, a huge thank you to viewers for taking Jodie’s Doctor and her new friends into their hearts, in such huge numbers. It’s a thrill being deluged with pictures of families snuggled up together, kids (and adults) hiding behind sofas (they actually do that!), and seeing all the extraordinary creative artwork inspired by the show. The journey of the Thirteenth Doctor is only just beginning. Next stop: Alabama 1955.
Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, said
It's incredibly exciting to see the audience responding to Jodie Whittaker's Thirteenth Doctor in such huge numbers. The brilliant Chris Chibnall's new series is an epic adventure on every level, full of so much wit but a scary, edge of your seat adrenaline rush too.
The final consolidated rating is the highest since Matt Smith's final episode as The Doctor, The Time of the Doctor, at Christmas 2013. It is the largest audience for the debut story of a Doctor ever, beating Rose in 2005 which had 10.81m watching and Tom Baker's debut story in 1974, Robot, which had 10.8 million viewers.





FILTER: - Ratings - series 11/37 - UK

Doctor Who - Episodes Five and SixBookmark and Share

Monday, 15 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
The BBC has released details of Doctor Who Episodes Five and Six

 The Tsuranga Conundrum - Jodie Whittaker / Suzanne Packer (Credit: BBC Studios)Episode Five: The Tsuranga Conundrum

Risk to life: absolute.

Injured and stranded in the wilds of a far-flung galaxy, The Doctor, Yaz, Graham and Ryan must band together with a group of strangers to survive against one of the universe’s most deadly -- and unusual -- creatures.

Guest starring Suzanne Packer, Ben Bailey Smith, Brett Goldstein and Lois Chimimba.

Written by Chris Chibnall.

Directed by Jennifer Perrott.
Demons Of The Punjab  - Bradley Walsh / Mandip GillEpisode Six: Demons Of The Punjab

“What’s the point of having a mate with a time machine, if you can’t nip back and see your gran when she was younger?”

India, 1947. The Doctor and her friends arrive in the Punjab, as the country is being torn apart. While Yaz attempts to discover her grandmother’s hidden history, the Doctor discovers demons haunting the land. Who are they and what do they want?

Guest starring Shane Zaza, Amita Suman and Hamza Jeetooa.

Written by Vinay Patel.

Directed by Jamie Childs.




FILTER: - Broadcasting - series 11/37

The Ghost Monument - Press ReviewsBookmark and Share

Monday, 15 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
 The Ghost Monument: Yaz (Mandip Gill), Ryan (Tosin Cole), The Doctor (Jodie Whittaker), Graham (Bradley Walsh) (Credit: BBC Studios (Coco Van Opens))Press reaction to Doctor Who;s second episode of 2018, The Ghost Monument, is overwhelmingly positive.

The Independent says that Doctor Who remains a delight. "Whittaker once again demonstrates why she may potentially go down as the defining Doctor Who of her generation. Her patter is wry and knockabout. Yet the larking is interwoven with a refreshing sincerity and a determination to be true to her friends."

The Guardian liked the more familiar tone of the series this week "The Doctor feels like the Doctor again. With her unstable-regeneration routine out of the way, Jodie Whittaker has grown almost completely into the role. She nails most of the character’s defining traits with aplomb: disdain for guns, delight in thinking her way out of a problem, and the ability to quickly become ruthless– her takedown of the boorish Epzo was quite something to behold. She is a delight."

Radio Times praised what they called a clearly told adventure, realised with pace and panache. "The Ghost Monument does look very good indeed. This isn’t just down to the epic scale of the South African locations – the desert, the mountains, the ruined coastal resort – captured in gorgeous sunlight and thoughtful camera angles. It’s well directed by Mark Tonderai in the smaller details too. The opening montage as seen through Ryan’s eyes, reflected in his pupil – stars, spaceship, medical equipment – is strange and disorientating but resolves on a reassuring close-up of Graham"

The Mirror enjoyed the story but felt the monsters were bland. It singled out Bradley Walsh for praise "Bradley Walsh really does excel when it comes to the more serious acting. His scene trying to talk to Ryan about the death of Grace oozes the empathy and love he has for his family."

Digital Spy said the episode was fast, funny and frenetic. "The Ghost Monument is a hugely energetic episode. Even once the hectic action of the first seven minutes subsides, the pace barely lets up – with Chris Chibnall's script bounding breathlessly from one incident to the next, there's never any risk of growing bored."

Den of Geek single out the Doctor's new best friends for praise, "Toisin Cole's Ryan is still the stand-out for me, with the exuberance of a young guy dropped into the adventure of his life mixed with the vulnerability brought on by his dyspraxia and the lack of self-confidence it causes."

Finally, Nerdist said the highlight of the episode was the reunion of The Doctor with her TARDIS. "Hands down the stand-out moment of the show is the return of the TARDIS. The revelation of the ship being the titular monument doesn’t deflate what ends up being a shockingly emotional reunion. If anything, the hesitant moments in between the race plot’s ending and her arrival allows us, like the Doctor, to feel that tiny sliver of doubt. We got here, we did everything right, where is the TARDIS?"

The Doctor Who News review can be found on our reviews site.




FILTER: - Press - series 11/37

The Ghost Monument - Overnight Viewing FiguresBookmark and Share

Monday, 15 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
 The Ghost Monument: The Doctor (Jodie Whittaker), Graham (Bradley Walsh) (Credit: BBC Studios (Simon Ridgway))Doctor Who: The Ghost Monument was watched by 7.11 million viewers, a share of 33.4% of the total TV audience, according to unofficial overnight figures.

The figures, although down on the season premiere, is enough to make Doctor Who the third most watched programme of the week, behind two editions of Strictly Come Dancing. Strictly took top spot for Sunday with 9.2 million watching. The main Saturday edition got 10.6 million viewers as was the most watched programme of the week.

Just before Doctor Who, Countryfile had 4.94m watching, while later the drama The Cry managed 4.59m viewers.

It was a good night for Bradley Walsh who had 4.8 million watching The Chase: Celebrity Special on ITV, directly opposite his Doctor Who appearance. ITV's highest rated programme was The X-Factor with 5.1 million viewers.

Official figures, which will be released next Monday, will include those to recorded the episode and watched it later. They are expected to be considerably higher than the initial figures.




FILTER: - Ratings - series 11/37 - UK

DWAS Honours William HartnellBookmark and Share

Sunday, 14 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Jessica Carney
The Doctor Who Appreciation Society, DWAS, has honoured the actor who played the first Doctor, William Hartnell, by producing a Blue Plaque marking his work in Film and Television.

The plaque was unveiled in a ceremony at Ealing Studios by Jessica Carney, Granddaughter of William Hartnell, who attended with her mother, William Hartnell's daughter Anne Carney and her brother Paul Carney.

Jessica Carney is the author of a book on the life of her Grandfather. She said Hartnell would have been delighted with the recognition.
I think he would be so thrilled, so overwhelmed at the thought of someone putting up a blue plaque to his work. The thought that Doctor Who is still so successful today would have thrilled him. The fans were so excited and involved with it. Whole school classes wrote to him about Doctor Who. It just captured everyone's imagination and clearly still means a lot to an awful lot of people.

This would have meant everything to him.
The ceremony was attended the surviving members of the very first TARDIS crew, Carole Ann Ford who played Susan and William Russell, who played Ian. Other guests included actor Julian Glover, who worked with Hartnell in The Crusade, Michael Imison who directed him in The Ark, Timothy Coombe who worked with Hartnell as a Production Assistant and actor Frank Williams who worked with Hartnell in the ITV comedy The Army Game.

Former Companion Peter Purves was unable to attend but sent a message.
His iconic performance as the original Doctor Who is where his real legacy lies. The lasting appeal of Doctor Who is today is because of what he and his original companions created in 1963. The conventions and wide world audiences for the show would never have taken place were it not for the originality and quirkiness he brought to the original concept. This plaque is the perfect way to remember a wonderful actor
William Hartnell worked at Ealing studios on two feature films, The Goose Steps Out and The Bells Go Down. It was here that the first dramatic filming for Doctor Who took place. The shot, filmed on Thursday 19th September 1963, was from the very end of episode one, when the TARDIS is seen having landed in prehistoric times, being overlooked by the shadow of a human

Paul Carney, Anne Carney, Jessica CarneyWilliam Russell, Carole Ann Ford


The Doctor Who Appreciation Society, has previously marked the achievements of third Doctor, Jon Pertwee, with a blue heritage plaque at the New Wimbledon Theatre in London and first producer Verity Lambert with a plaque at at London's Riverside studios.




FILTER: - DWAS - William Hartnell

Doctor Who Episodes Three and FourBookmark and Share

Sunday, 14 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
The BBC has released details of Doctor Who Episodes Three and Four

Vinette Robinson playing Rosa Parks (Credit: BBC Studios)Episode Three: Rosa

If she can live here her whole life, a couple of hours ain’t gonna kill me. They ain’t gonna kill me, right?

Montgomery, Alabama. 1955. The Doctor and her friends find themselves in the Deep South of America. As they encounter a seamstress by the name of Rosa Parks, they begin to wonder: is someone attempting to change history?

Guest starring Vinette Robinson and Josh Bowman.

Written by Malorie Blackman and Chris Chibnall.

Directed by Mark Tonderai.
Tanya Fear (Credit: BBC Studios)Episode Four: Arachnids In The UK

Something’s happening with the spiders in this city.

The Doctor, Yaz, Graham and Ryan find their way back to Yorkshire – and Yaz’s family – only to find something is stirring amidst the eight-legged arachnid population of Sheffield.

Guest starring Chris Noth and Shobna Gulati.

Written by Chris Chibnall.

Directed by Sallie Aprahamian.
The series continues with Episode Two, The Ghost Monument, later today




FILTER: - Production - series 11/37

Doctor Who Limited Edition BarbieBookmark and Share

Saturday, 13 October 2018 - Reported by Marcus
BBC Studios and Mattel have partnered to release the first ever Doctor Who Limited Edition Barbie doll, available in Australia

Pre-sale is available via zingpopculture.com.au and ebgames.com.au and in Zing Pop Culture stores in December.

Nicole Chungue, Licensing Manager for BBC Studios ANZ, says
This year, we’re introducing an all-new look for Doctor Who. New monsters, new stories, new characters and of course a new Doctor in Jodie Whittaker, the first woman to play the role.

Given Barbie’s celebration of women who have made history, as well as iconic characters from some of the best loved movies and shows, we felt it was a great opportunity to work with Mattel to create a doll based on the Thirteenth Doctor.

The Doctor Who Barbie doll offers fans and collectors a new way to celebrate the adventures of this iconic character and we’re delighted to be able to bring this to Australia through Zing Pop Culture.
Melissa Davey, Senior Buyer & Licensing for EB Games & Zing Pop Culture, said
EB and Zing couldn’t be more thrilled for the new Doctor and to be embarking on a new journey with the fans. What better way to celebrate than giving whovians the opportunity to get their hands on their very own Doctor Who Barbie
Tthe Doctor Who Barbie wears a rainbow-striped t-shirt, paired with cropped trousers and a trench coat. Additional, true-to-character details include Doctor Who signature braces and lace-up boots.




FILTER: - Character - Thirteenth Doctor