There have been regular news items on the Series Three press launch and the confirmation of a fourth series on Wednesday night. Much of the attention focused on the introduction of new companion Martha Jones and newcomerFreema Agyeman's reaction to working on the series and the attention it brings. (Warning, links may contain spoilers.)

A report by BBC Arts Correspondent David Sillito from the event was shown throughout Thursday on BBC Breakfast, BBC News 24 and BBC World. BBC Breakfast also announced that Agyeman would be appearing on the show next week, and broadcast an 'exclusive' new trailer for the season at the end which contains the spoiler that several papers reported on today. (The programme also interviewed 'former assistant' Catherine Tate on her Comic Relief sketch with prime minister Tony Blair, and her thoughts on the trailer.) This second trailer can also be viewed at the BBC website, which has also been updated with a new front page and more pictures.

Meanwhile, children's news programme Newsround has also been covering the show, with a behind-the-scenesreport on the launch screening. Several clips from Smith and Jones were shown, but presenter Lizo was unsuccessful in his attempt to find out more about the mysterious Mr Saxon, although David Tennant did reveal that "he's more than a match for the Doctor".

BBC Wales Today covered the launch in their lunchtime programme, including an interview with presenter and confessed fan Jonathan Ross. The press launch was also mentioned in their evening bulletin, which can be viewedhere for one day. GMTV were also in attendance at the launch, and gave a very positive review, showing a variety of clips from Smith and Jones.

John Simm was interviewed by Simon Mayo on Five Live this afternoon. He confirmed he is playing a character called Mr Saxon, but wouldn't be drawn on the nature of the character. "There's a lot of secrecy about it," is the only comment he would make after repeated queries from Mayo. He was attracted to the show by its writer, he said, as he tends to be with all the roles he takes.

Among the papers taking an interest in the press launch was The Times, which focused on the attention Freema Agyeman is about to receive, saying that she "is about to become one of the most recognisable faces on British television". Martha will apparently be a "sassier sidekick", with a different dynamic in her relationship with the Doctor.

The Daily Mail also carried a report on the press launch, and focused on one particular aspect of the first episode.The Sun followed a similar angle, as well as a separate article highlighting the differences between Rose and Martha, and the hazards of stunt work. The Sun's exhaustive coverage includes a video clip and continues on the 23rd March, with a report on the confirmation of a fourth series, but that David Tennant declined to comment on his involvement (as has been his position since taking the role). The Western Mail, Evening Standard, and Daily Mirror also carried reports on the press launch.

Swansea fans will have the chance to see Smith and Jones a little early, as This is South Wales reported that the Swansea Odeon will be having an exclusive screening nine hours before the episode is broadcast.

As the broadcast of the new series looms closer, the Doctor Who publicity machine has been working overdrive.

The launch of the third series took place tonight in Mayfair, London, screening the first two episodes to assorted press. As well as David Tennant, Freema Agyeman and Russell T Davies, a variety of other stars were in attendance, including Jonathan Ross, Dawn French, Adam Woodyatt and Sophia Myles. BBC Wales featured a report of the launch in their 10.25pm bulletin, highlighting the introduction of Martha Jones and the Welsh locations featured in the series.

Radio One DJ Jo Whiley went to the press launch tonight, and will be reviewing the event on her show tomorrow between 10.00 and 12.45. If you miss it, the show will be available on listen again here for the next seven days.

Newsround will also have a report on the press launch tomorrow.

There will also be a variety of appearances by various members of the cast and crew over the next week, and here's a round-up of television and radio shows to look out for.

Freema Agyeman will be appearing on Blue Peter on Tuesday, 27th March, and viewers have been invited to submit questions. Freema will also be a guest with Simon Mayo on Radio Five Live on Friday, 30th March between 1 and 4pm. Update: Freema will also be appearing on BBC Breakfast next week (date to be confirmed).

Also on 27th March, Russell T Davies will be appearing on the Richard and Judy Show on Channel Four from 5pm. John Barrowman will also be appearing with Richard and Judy on 29th March, and on the Charlotte Church Show on 30th March from 10pm.

David Tennant will be a guest with Fearne and Reggie on Radio One on Saturday 24th March from 7-10am. He will also be appearing on the Chris Moyles show on Radio One and with Steve Wright on Radio Two next week, but the dates have not yet been announced. These shows are available for seven days after broadcast via listen again.

Catherine Tate will be interviewing David Tennant for the new series of Chain Reaction. This is being recorded on 26th March, and there is no information yet on when this will be broadcast on Radio Four. David Tennant will also be the interviewer on the next show, but it is not yet known who his guest will be.

A repeat of The Sarah Jane Adventures has also been scheduled for Saturday 31st March on the CBBC channel from 4pm, preceding the broadcast of Smith and Jones.

To coincide with the BBC's official announcement of the air date for Series Three (31 March), the official BBC Doctor Who website has updated its look. The index page shows Martha, the Doctor and the TARDIS standing in front of a series of six locales from the upcoming series, including the moon, New York, Shakespearean London, and others, before fading into a shot of the Black Dalek (which will exterminate you, so be careful!) and a countdown to air time.

Take a Look:

The new edition of Radio Times - issue dated 24-30 March - has joined the countdown to the start of Series Three with a column entitled "All New Who" in its weekly "Behind The Scenes" feature.

It lists what readers can expect to come in the publication, among which will be a guide by Russell T Davies to every episode of the new series, and includes quotes from David Tennant, Freema Agyeman and Phil Collinson.

Tennant says: "Each script that comes in just seems to be bigger than the last - that's what has kept it so exciting. The scale is bigger, the locations are more extraordinary."

Agyeman tells of the pressure of the show, saying: "I've been filming since August and it's crazy. Every time I think I've got it under control, something else comes up - so I'm not taking anything for granted!"

And Collinson talks of the pressure of thinking up new monsters. "This year there's probably a bigger selection - we've gone a bit more monster-y," he says.

The Doctor Who special edition of The Weakest Link is one of the RT Choices for March 30, while the "Next week in RT" strap at the back of the listings magazine carries a picture of Tennant and Agyeman and trumpets the publication's 14-page preview of the new series that will be included.

The Radio Times covering the first episode of Series Three, ie, issue dated 31 March to 6 April, should reveal the titles of episodes three, five and 13 - the last remaining unknown ones.

A small feature in the latest issue of the Doctor Who Adventures reveals that the Zygons will not be appearing in Series Three, quashing the rumours that have been circulating for the past few months. The feature also states that the Zygons are back, but only in the new series book Sting of the Zygon, which features the Tenth Doctor and Martha.

The book will be released in April.

The BBC Press Office have released details for the first episode of the upcoming third series, confirming that it will be broadcast during the week beginning 31st March. Although the day and time are yet to be confirmed, we believe the show will be broadcast on Saturday 31st March as announced previously.

The press release says, "David Tennant returns to his role as the Doctor and meets his brand-new companion in the highly anticipated third series of Russell T Davies's Doctor Who."

"For Martha Jones, a medical student in Central London, an ordinary day turns into a nightmare when her entire hospital is transported to the Moon. There, she has to battle the Judoon and outwit a blood-sucking Plasmavore – but can she trust a mysterious stranger called the Doctor?"

A new 40 second trailer is available online at the official BBC Doctor Who site. It features specially shot material contrasting the Doctor and Martha Jones, ending with brief clips from the first 5 episodes. No transmission date is given, merely that Doctor Who is "coming soon".

More details about the trailer can be found in the spoiler space.

Today's edition of The Sun carries a picture story of Freema Agyeman in character as Martha Jones dressed in combat gear and on late-night manoeuvres.

It says that she was pictured on Whitmore Bay beach while filming with former EastEnders actor Tom Ellis.

According to the Sun story, the third series will start next month, contradicting earlier reports claiming that it will begin on March 31. The BBC has yet to make an official announcement regarding the start date, although mini teaser trailers have started running on BBC1.

There are no spoilers in the article.