Lethbridge-Stewart: The Xmas Files

Sunday, 18 December 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Candy Jar Books have announced a new, free-to-download festive adventure in their Lethbridge-Stewart range, The Feast of Evans by Simon A Forward.

Shaun Russell, head of publishing at Candy Jar, said:

It’s always fun to do our seasonal stories, and this one is even more fun as it’s set concurrent with our Christmas special from last year. This story shows us what happened elsewhere while Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart was dealing with alien spheres in London in last year’s The Fright Before Christmas. And just because we’re nice we are also including that story free as well.

Talking about the story, range editor Andy Frankham-Allen said:

My original plans for Evans never really took, and so he was carted off from Edinburgh to the 2nd Battalion at Imber in England. However, his appearances this past year have proven to be quite popular with fans, so I revised my plans and set up his return for 2017. Simon’s Christmas story is a small part of that. It was also an opportunity to bring Samson to the fore, too, and teaming them together is perfect, after their initial not so auspicious meeting in The Grandfather Infestation.

Simon said:

When Andy asked me to do a Christmas story, I was stuck for inspiration. It was September, after all, and I refuse to feel Christmassy before December as a rule. But the idea of it featuring Evans appealed to me, as I'd revisited The Web Of Fear earlier in the year and he's such a great character. Of course, I imagined he'd been busted out of the army after that, and I think that's where the idea of a Christmas at home scenario arose. I sort of imagined it as a Christmas episode of his own domestic sitcom.

Lethbridge-Stewart pre-order customers and subscribers will also get a festive treat in a short story, Home for Christmas. The bonus is written by many of the Lethbridge-Stewart authors who previously wrote for the series in 2016, including John Peel, Andy Frankham-Allen, Sue Hampton, Adrian Sherlock, Sharon Bidwell and Tom Dexter.

Andy said:

I also had an idea to write a couple of scenes to show what our other regulars were up to while the Brigadier was enjoying Christmas with Sally. And after writing a couple of scenes, a new thought came to me. Wouldn’t it be fun to get as many of our authors involved as possible? I sent out an email, asking for those free to send me a scene, and many responded. Bit by bit the story became longer.”

The Feast of Evans by Simon A Forward will be available free on the Candy Jar website over Christmas, with Home for Christmas sent out to all pre-order customers and subscribers.

Series four of Lethbridge-Stewart will begin Spring 2017 with Night of the Intelligence by Andy Frankham-Allen, celebrating fifty years since the Great Intelligence first appeared in Doctor Who with 1967’s The Abominable Snowmen. It will see the return of another fan-favourite character from that debut story!

FILTER: - Books - Candy Jar Books - Lethbridge-Stewart - Merchandise - Online

Moments in Time - Welcome to The Highland Piper

Saturday, 17 December 2016 - Reported by Marcus

It was fifty years ago today, on Saturday 17th December 1966, that the Second Doctor met a young highland piper, James Robert McCrimmon, someone who would stay with him through the rest of his incarnation, becoming the longest serving companion in the history of the series.

Frazer Hines has, so far, appeared in 116 episodes of Doctor Who. Only four actors, the first four Doctors, have appeared in more episodes. However, when Frazer Hines joined the company in November 1966, he had been contracted for one story only and was only expecting to feature in four episodes.

He would play the young piper Jamie in The Highlanders, set in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden. During the production, the producers spotted something in the young actor and the chemistry he had with rest of the TARDIS crew, so after three weeks he was offered the chance to join the series as a regular character.

Scripts were hastily rewritten and a guide to the character of Jamie produced for potential writers.

He is a piper, and the character must be that of a simple but engaging Scot. Although his smile disarms opposition, he is on occasion a man of action who will defend his friends or principles fearlessly. He is cheerful, open, manly, flexible - more flexible in fact than Ben and Polly.

When either Ben or Polly are pulling his leg he reacts with a grin.... He always wears the kilt, his hair is longer and his shirt has a swashbuckling appearance.... He must assume the part of the young hero in each story. He must constantly be amazed and perplexed that he is wandering through space and time and is coming up against things, even commonplace things, which he could never have dreamt of in his day. The large things, planes computers etc, rock him back on his heels, he finds it hard to comprehend the all

He brings many of the attributes of the Highlander of this period with him, being courageous, impetuous, superstitious and romantic. His impetuosity often provokes difficult situations for the time travelers, but his direct approach will sometimes help solve problems as well as create them.

Frazer Hines was just 22 when he joined Doctor Who. However, even at that age, he was a veteran of film and television acting.

He had studied at the Corona Theatre School and before he became a teenager he had already appeared in a number of films. At 13 he appeared in Charlie Chaplin's A King in New York. He made his TV debut in 1957 playing Mickey Day in an episode of London Playhouse. He joined the series Huntingtower playing Napoleon alongside Roger Delgado a future Doctor Who director Graeme Harper.. Appearances followed in the war drama The Silver Sword, Queen's Champion and Run to Earth as well as a number of small roles in classics such as Z-Cars, Dr Finleys Casebook, Compact, Emergency-Ward 10, Coronation Street and King of the River.

He first worked with Patrick Troughton when he was cast in Smuggler’s Bay based on the J. Meade Falkner novel, Moonfleet. The two instantly hit it off and when Hines joined Doctor Who three years later it was apparent how well they worked together. Talking in 2009 Hines explained how he was told he would be continuing in the series after being offered a lift home by Producer Innes Lloyd.

He was a gentleman, a real gentleman of television. He was an ex-Navy man. I always remember him picking me up at location one day, saying ‘Come back with me, don’t go in the mini-bus’. He had a little VW beetle, we were driving back, he said ‘Well, Frazer, you’re settling in okay, how do you fancy joining the old TARDIS crew for a while, maybe another year?’

Frazer Hines would stay with Doctor Who for three series, leaving, along with Troughton in the summer of 1969.

I’d never have left, I was having so much fun, but I had an agent at the time who was saying ‘You must leave, you’ve done three years of television, you need to do films’, and Patrick’s wife at the time was saying (to him) ‘You’re a much better actor than children’s teatime television, you should be doing bigger things’, and I still say to this day, if he hadn’t had that woman nattering in his ear, they’d have had to shoot us and drag us kicking and screaming out of the TARDIS, we’d still be there now.

Sources: The Handbook: The Second Doctor: David J Howe, Mark Stammers, Stephen James Walker (Doctor Who Books, 1994)

FILTER: - Moments in Time - Second Doctor

New Comics out Next Week

Friday, 16 December 2016 - Reported by Marcus

Next Wednesday sees the release of Titan's comic featuring the Ninth Doctor as well as the latest in the Torchwood series by John and Carole Barrowman.

The previously announced Eleventh Doctor #2.15 has been delayed and will also be published next week.

Ninth Doctor #8

Writer: Cavan Scott
Artist: Cris Bolson
Colourist: Colourist
A: Pasquale Qualano & Marcio Menys - B: Will Brooks Photo- C: Question No. 6

UNIT agent Tara Mishra is on the verge of whistleblowing the existence of aliens to the British public, after rampaging daikaiju have been spotted in the English Channel! Can the Doctor, Rose, and Jack prevent her from changing the course of the 20th century by revealing the truth... and do they even want to? Plus! A new companion aboard the TARDIS -- and a new thread in the unravelling weave of Jack's missing memories!

Ninth Doctor #8 Cover_A_Pasquale_Qualano (Credit: Titan)

Ninth Doctor #8 Cover_B_Will_Brooks (Credit: Titan)

Ninth Doctor #8 Cover_C_Question_No_6 (Credit: Titan)

Ninth Doctor #8 Preview_1 (Credit: Titan)

Ninth Doctor #8 Preview_2 (Credit: Titan)

Ninth Doctor #8 Preview_3 (Credit: Titan)

Torchwood #4

Writer: Carole E. Barrowman, John Barrowman
Artist: Antonio Fuso
Cover A: Kelly Yates Cover B: Will Brooks Photo Cover C: Pasquale Qualano & Marcio Menys

The Navigators need Jack’s help to battle an alien threat from his past – but he’s an ocean away and several bullet holes from being able to help them out! Gwen finds herself torn between two worlds, as Jack’s quest threatens everything she holds dear – including the very core of Torchwood itself! And the Committee want the Ice Maiden and its crew – and its advanced, alien technology – for their own purposes, and they’ll kill anyone who gets in their way! The first arc of the ongoing Torchwood saga ends – but what a cliffhanger! We’re back with more shocks and surprises – and the full creative team – for #5!

Torchwood #4 Cover_A_Kelly_Yates (Credit: Titan)

Torchwood #4 Cover_B_Will_Brooks (Credit: Titan)

Torchwood #4 Cover_C_Pasquale_Qulano_Marcio_Menys (Credit: Titan)

All comics are released on Wednesday 21st December.

FILTER: - Comics - Ninth Doctor - Torchwood

Christmas with the Doctor (Predict the Ratings)

Thursday, 15 December 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Christmas Day: a time of festive presents, festive food, and festive telly!

For us, of course, the placement of the annual Doctor Who Christmas Special in the schedules is always eagerly anticipated, with this year's episode slotted into the late afternoon/early evening slot of 5:45pm. Previous years have seen it as early as 5:15pm last year to 7:30pm in 2013, but this year it is (hopefully!) bolstered by two of the BBC's other highest rated programmes, The Great British Bake-Off beforehand and Strictly Come Dancing afterwards.

In terms of direct competition, ITV is serving up its traditional slice of country life in Emmerdale, and Sky One is premiering its heavily trailed The Last Dragonslayer; on other channels BBC2 has the 1976 Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show (5:40pm), Channel 4 has We're Going On A Bear Hunt and the film Home Alone (from 6pm), Channel 5 has Singin' in the Rain and then a repeat of Britain's Favourite Christmas Songs (from 6:15pm).

As of today, the odds of Doctor Who making the top spot sits at 22/1; unsurprisingly, Mrs Brown's Boys leads the way, being it has been the most popular show three out of the last four years (only beaten into second place last year by the finale of Downton Abbey!).

               BBC1                                       ITV     
 3:00pm   16/1 The Queen                             40/1 The Queen
 3:10pm    9/1 Frozen                                46/1 The Lion King
 4:45pm    5/1 The Great Christmas Bake Off
 4:55pm                                                   ITV News
 5:15pm                                              66/1 You've Been Framed
 5:45pm   22/1 Doctor Who                            60/1 Emmerdale
 6:45pm    2/1 Strictly Come Dancing                 50/1 For the Love of Dogs
 7:45pm                                                   ITV News
 8:00pm    6/1 Call the Midwife                      25/1 Coronation Street
 9:00pm                                              25/1 Maigret's Dead Man
 9:30pm    8/1 Eastenders
10:30pm    2/1 Mrs Brown's Boys
11:00pm  100/1 The Best of Tracey Ullman's Show     100/1 Love Actually

Predict the Ratings Competition

It's also time for our 'legendary' Predict the Ratings competition, which this year will give readers the chance to win The Return of Doctor Mysterio on DVD/Bluray upon its release, plus a copy of the BBC Book The Whoniverse by Justin Richards and George Mann.

As always, the aim is to predict the final consolidated viewing figure for The Return of Doctor Mysterio as reported by BARB, to the nearest 10,000 viewers (i.e. two decimal places). In addition, we'd like you to predict Doctor Who's position in the weekly chart (which will be used in the case of a tie-break).

The ratings and positions for 2014 and 2015 are presented here for comparison - recent years have seen a decline in television viewing over Christmas Day, with none of the programmes achieving the heady heights of several years ago.

To enter our competition, please send the following details to comp-ratings@doctorwhonews.net:

Your name and preferred email address
Your country of entry (full details will be requested only if you are the winner)
Your guess at the final viewing figure to the nearest 10,000 (eg.9.99m)
Your guess at the final position in the chart (eg. 1st) - this will only be used in the event of a tie-break

Terms and Conditions:

The competition closes at 08:30 GMT, 26th December 2016.
Only one entry will be accepted per person.
The competition is open worldwide.
BARB final figures are expected in early 2016; we will contact the winner once they have been published.

Superheroes around the World unite...

Of course it isn't just the United Kingdom that will enjoy the Doctor's latest adventure this festive period, as the episode will be broadcast in a number of countries within a couple of days of the British premiere:

The Return of Doctor Mysterio: known first broadcast details
United Kingdom	BBC One	Sun 25 Dec 2016	5:45pm GMT
Middle East	BBC First	Sun 25 Dec 2016	8:45pm AST	(5:45pm GMT) simulcast!
Australia (online)	ABC iView	Mon 26 Dec 2016	5:45am AEDT	(6:45pm GMT)
Brazil	Syfy	Sun 25 Dec 2016	10:30pm BRST	(12:30am GMT)
United States of America	BBC America	Sun 25 Dec 2016	9:00pm EST	(2:00am GMT)
Canada	SPACE	Sun 25 Dec 2016	9:00pm EST	(2:00am GMT)
Latin America	Syfy	Sun 25 Dec 2016	10:00pm CST	(04:00am GMT)
New Zealand	Prime	Mon 26 Dec 2016	7:30pm NZDT	(6:30am GMT)
Australia	ABC	Mon 26 Dec 2016	7:30pm AEDT	(8:30am GMT) also on ABC ME
Finland	YLE TV2	Mon 26 Dec 2016	7:00pm EET	(5:00pm GMT)
South Africa	BBC First	Wed 27 Dec 2016	8:00pm SAST	(6:00pm GMT)
United Kingdom	BBC Two	Fri 30 Dec 2016	2:30am GMT	(British Sign Language)

As well as television, The Return of Doctor Mysterio will also get big screen outings in Australia (26th December), New Zealand (26th December), Denmark (26th and 28th December), Canada (26th and 28th December), and the United States (27th and 29th December).

Various channels will celebrate the series during the next couple of weeks. BBC America kick off a mammoth repeat run dominating the channel from Tuesday 20th December, showing the majority of episodes since David Tennant took over the role in the lead up to the Christmas Special (and also including the premiere broadcast of The Power of the Daleks in colour on Christmas Day!). On Christmas Eve/Christmas Day, BBC Prime in Latin America will show the two series starring Peter Capaldi, whilst Prime in New Zealand repeat the most recent series. On Christmas Day, SPACE in Canada will show preceeding Christmas adventures. BBC HD in Poland doesn't have Mysterio scheduled for the immediate future, but will be running through the Doctor's regular adventures from Rose on the 23rd December through to the New Year.

Readers can always keep up with the ongoing adventures of the Doctor (and pals!) via This Week in Doctor Who.

FILTER: - Betting/Odds - Broadcasting - Cinema - Competitions - International Broadcasting - Ratings - Series Specials - UK

Class comes to BBC One

Thursday, 15 December 2016 - Reported by Marcus

The BBC has confirmed thet the Doctor Who spin-off series will be shown on BBC One this January

The first episode can be seen on Monday 9th January at 10.45pm

Class has previously only been available in the UK via the BBC Three channel, which, since the 16th February this year, has only been available online.

No firm details are available for the number of viewers who have watched the series on BBC Three, but no episode has managed to make the Weekly BARB Top 50 list of downloaded programs, meaning less than around 60,000 watched the episode in the two days after release. It is believed the audience for each episode was between 20,000 and 60,000 viewers.

The BBC will be hoping for a much bigger audience for the BBC One showing, where the late night timeslot has an average of just over 2 million viewers.

The series is due to be shown on BBC America this spring

FILTER: - Broadcasting - Class

Paul McGann to star in Brother's Project

Monday, 12 December 2016 - Reported by Marcus

Eighth Doctor Paul McGann has teamed up with his brother, writer Mark McGann, to embark on a short film project based on Elizabeth Barrett-Browning’s poem ‘Perplexed Music’.

McGann is to be directed by his brother in the film about the cycle of devoted love, loss and rebirth. It is hoped that the project, which is being funded by a Kickstarter campaign, will be filmed in the Spring of 2017 at various locations in Wiltshire, Cornwall and Somerset.

Mark McGann started writing the screenplay for Perplexed Music after being inspired by Elizabeth Barrett-Browning’s poem of the same name. It will explore the temporary madness, isolation, catharsis and new beginning experienced by a middle-aged man, played by Paul, as he battles for reason, stability and the strength to continue on his journey without his life companion.

Mark McGann said

Reading the poem reminded me of the key role music plays in the elucidation of the higher universal truths that bind us all. It resonated with me strongly, as I sought to focus the idea for the film into a cinematographic concept.

As the aim of the film is to elevate the viewer by finding the route through to their heart via a shared humanity and identification, I can think of no one better than Paul to play the central role. He’s wonderful at drawing an audience in out of curiosity, then allowing them the space to make an interpretation personal to them. I’m really excited he’s agreed to do it!

Speaking of the project Paul McGann said

I can’t wait. I love experiencing roles that throw you out of your comfort zone, that’s part of the buzz of performing.

More details about the film can be found on Facebook or on the project's Kickstarter page. An interview with Mark McGann talking about the project can be found here

FILTER: - Paul McGann

Whotopia - 30

Sunday, 11 December 2016 - Reported by Marcus

The latest issue of the fan magazine Whotopia has been released and is now available to download from the Whotopia website

In this issue

IN CONVERSATION WITH PETER DAVISON
THE DOCTOR IS NOT MILLIONS OF YEARS OLD
THE STORIES THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN: THE MCCOY ERA
OMEGA: THE LOST TIME LORD
UNDERAPPRECIATED MONSTERS & VILLIANS IN DOCTOR WHO
AN EVENING WITH MATTHEW WATERHOUSE
COLUMN: TARGET TRAWL
COLUMN: THE DOCTOR WHO SCHOLAR
WHO YOU BUILD
THE BLACK ARCHIVES: THE MASSACRE REVIEWED
WHAT’S ALL THE FUSS ABOUT…?
COLUMN: THE AUDIO ARCHIVES
MASTER WHO PART 3: ANTHONY AINLEY
POLARITY DAY: REMEMBERING JON PERTWEE
CLASS REVIEWED
THE BLACK ARCHIVES VOLUME 1-3
COLUMN: THE CURATE’S EGG

The magazine can be downloaded for free from whotopia.ca.

FILTER: - Fan Productions - Peter Davison

Mini heritage plaque for Jon Pertwee up for auction

Saturday, 10 December 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Jon Pertwee mini-Heritage Plaque signed auction item (Credit: DWAS)

Back in October, the Doctor Who Appreciation Society unveiled a blue heritage plaque at New Wimbleon Theatre in London in honour of the third Doctor, Jon Pertwee. The Society has now produced 25 miniture versions which are available to purchase from their website, but have also put a special one up for auction which includes signatures from many of the guests who attended the event:

June Whitfield, Fenella Fielding, Barry Cryer, Jon Culshaw, Ingeborg Pertwee, Dariel Pertwee, Lorraine Chase, Timothy Combe, Michael Ferguson, Bob Baker, Katy Manning, Jeremy Bulloch, Richard Franklin, Peter Miles, David Banks, Prentis Hancock, Graeme Harper, Cy Town

All proceeds from this auction will be paid into the Society's 'Plaque Fund', which raises money to pay for the plaque at New Wimbledon Theatre, The Dedication event, and for The Grand Order of Water Rats which Jon was an enthusiastic supporter of during his life.

The plaque is approx 30cm diameter and comes with rear fixing tape for wall display.

You can view and bid on the item via their auction page on Ebay.

FILTER: - Auctions - DWAS - Jon Pertwee

Competition Roundup for December

Friday, 9 December 2016 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The followong competitons are available to enter via Doctor Who News in December:

BBC Audio: The Space Pirates

When space beacon Alpha One disintegrates into lumps of metal, General Hermack of the Space Corps realises that space pirates have discovered a new source of precious aragonite. After witnessing further destruction, the General leaves a squad of guards on beacon Alpha Four - just as the TARDIS materialises. Suspected by the Space Corps of being pirates, then pursued as spies by the pirates themselves, the Doctor, Zoe and Jamie attempt to unmask the mastermind behind the thefts of aragonite. In doing so they risk execution, explosion, and asphyxiation in the vacuum of space.

Doctor Who: The Space Pirates (Credit: BBC Audio)

To be in with a chance to win the audiobook courtesy of BBC Audio, simply answer the following question:

When we first meet Milo Clancey, he throws away the charred remains from out of his toaster - but which televised story saw the Doctor reveal his feelings over such burnt offerings?

Please send your answers along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-spacepirates@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "Howdy!". The competition is open worldwide, closing date 8th January 2017. Only one entry per household will be accepted.

BBC Audio: The Scales of Injustice

When a boy goes missing and a policewoman starts drawing cave paintings, the Doctor suspects the Silurians are back. With the Brigadier distracted by questions about UNIT funding and problems at home, the Doctor swears his assistant Liz Shaw to secrecy and investigates alone. But Liz has enquiries of her own, teaming up with a journalist to track down people who don’t exist. What is the mysterious Glasshouse, and why is it so secret? As the Silurians wake from their ancient slumber, the Doctor, Liz and the Brigadier are caught up in a conspiracy to exploit UNIT’s achievements – a conspiracy that reaches deep into the heart of the British Government.

To be in with a chance to win the audiobook courtesy of BBC Audio, simply answer the following question:

Which is the only televised story (so far) to explicitly mention the C19 organisation?

Please send your answers along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-scalesofinjustice@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "This is still our planet". The competition is open worldwide, closing date 8th January 2017. Only one entry per household will be accepted.

BBC Books: The Pirate Planet

The hugely powerful Key to Time has been split into six segments, all of which have been disguised and hidden throughout time and space. Now the even more powerful White Guardian wants the Doctor to find the pieces. With the first segment successfully retrieved, the Doctor, Romana and K-9 trace the second segment of the Key to the planet Calufrax. But when they arrive at exactly the right point in space, they find themselves on exactly the wrong planet – Zanak. Ruled by the mysterious ‘Captain’, Zanak is a happy and prosperous planet. Mostly. If the mines run out of valuable minerals and gems then the Captain merely announces a New Golden Age and they fill up again. It’s an economic miracle – so obviously something’s very wrong...

The Pirate Planet (novel) (Credit: BBC Books)

To be in with a chance to win the book courtesy of BBC Books, simply answer the following question:

Name one of the remaining stories from the original television series that has yet to be published in book form.

Please send your answers along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-pirateplanet@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "I declare a new golden age!". The competition is open to UK readers only, closing date 8th January 2017. Only one entry per household will be accepted.

Big Finish: Cold Fusion

A newly regenerated Fifth Doctor arrives on an occupied ice planet – where the Seventh Doctor is investigating dangerous energy experiments conducted by the Earth Empire. But events spin out of control when a refugee from the distant past arrives - Patience, the Doctor's Wife!

To be in with a chance to win a digital download of the audio adventure courtesy of Big Finish, simply answer the following question:

What is the seventh Doctor's favourite biscuit, as revealed in this story?

Please send your answer along with your name and the email address you have registered with Big Finish, plus where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-coldfusion@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "Crashed Time". The competition is open worldwide, closing date 8th January 2017. Note: entrants must have an active registration with Big Finish in order to be eligible to receive the prize - new registrations can be easily created on the website for free and with no financial obligation.

It's still possible to enter competitions to win Lethbridge-Stewart books and Warlord Games miniatures, closing date this Sunday.

Watch out for our annual Christmas Ratings competition, launching next week!

Lethbridge-Stewart Artwork Competition

Candy Jar Books are also running a competition for purchasers to win a piece Lethbridge-Stewart artwork by Richard Young. See their offers for more details.