Matt Smith recently commented on people he would quite like to see act alongside him in Doctor Who: "Whoopi Goldberg would be a great companion wouldn't she? Yeah, she'd be great. Also I'd love Eric Cantona, or Colin Firth. Colin Firth would be great but he would not do it. God, when I think about it there are so many people I would love to get in it." [Bang Showbiz, via Metro, The List, 1st Oct]

David Tennant has recorded a narration for a 50 minute BBC1 documentary, Disabled Parents: Are You Having A Laugh?, which follows comedian Laurence Clark and his wife - both have cerebral palsy - as they prepare for the birth of their second child. It is expected to be broadcast in February. [Chortle, 5th Oct]

The actor is also subject of a petition by fans to have him carry the Olympic Torch in 2012, in honour of his character saving the games in the story Fear Her, with some 25,000 people signed up so far. [Flavor Wire, 3rd Oct]

John Barrowman explains how he wishes to trace his family history in Ireland: "What I'd love to do is a programme researching my Irish roots to see how strong they are. That's as much as I know as my mother has spoken no further about it but I know that my mom and dad have visited (my neice) Clare. I have never visited but it's something I want to do." [RTE, 4th Oct]

A patron of the Dogs Trust, the actor also opened the charity's new shop in Cowbridge, South Wales, which raised more than £1,300 on the day. [Third Sector, 3rd Oct]

Billie Piper (Rose Tyler) provides the voice to a new Autumn/Winter 2011 television campaign by high-street retailer chain Debenhams; the adverts are themed around the strap line "Life Made Fabulous with Designers at Debenhams", where designs are shown from creation to being worn in 'real life'. [Retail Digital, 6th Oct]

Jean Marsh (Sara Kingdom) has had to pull out of the start of filming of the new series of Upstairs Downstairs due to suffering a minor stroke. Recovering well, Marsh said: "Unfortunately I won't be returning to Eaton Place quite as quickly as I had hoped; I am looking forward to spending time with Rose again when I'm match-fit and I miss the cast and crew tremendously." [BBC News, 5th Oct]

Actors Barnaby Edwards (chief Dalek) and Ian Cullen (Ixta, The Aztecs) have both filmed a scene for local Sleaford film Shadows of a Stranger, which also features former Doctor Colin Baker. Says Edwards: "It is ambitious, but they are confident about it. It is exciting to be doing something new, placing traditional actors alongside an entirely imaginary world and it is a cracking story.". Full details of the project can be found the Shadows of a Stranger website. [Sleaford Standard, 30th Sep]

Louise Jameson (Leela), who has recently celebrated her 60th birthday, talked about some of her theatrical idols: "There have been so many people I’ve been inspired by, but mainly the obvious actors such as Vanessa Redgrave, Judi Dench and David Warner. They’re all the people I saw in my childhood at the Royal Shakespeare Company. Of course, they’re only ten years older than me really, and not even another generation, but that’s the kind of era of work that I really admire." [Daily Mail, 5th Oct]

Sadie Miller shared memories of her mother, Elisabeth Sladen, with the Radio Times: "It was lovely that she just sort of fell back into her career. She didn’t really have time to worry about it; she just enjoyed it. And I loved watching her in The Sarah Jane Adventures because there was so much of her in the role." [Radio Times, 3rd Oct]

Voting is now open in longlist for the 2012 National TV Awards. Doctor Who and Torchwood: Miracle Day have been nominated in the 'Most Popular Drama' category.

Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, John Barrowman and Eve Myles have all been nominated in 'Outstanding Drama Performance' for their roles in Doctor Who and Torchwood: Miracle Day respectively.

John Barrowman has also been nominated in 'Most Popular Entertainment Presenter' while his show, Tonight's The Night, is up for 'Most Popular Entertainment Programme'.

Competition in the longlist will come from ITV's Downton Abbey. The period drama, featuring Hugh Bonneville (Henry Avery, The Curse of the Black Spot) recently won 6 Primetime Emmy Awards.

Voting in the longlist closes on 17 October 2011. The shortlist will be announced in January 2012.

David Tennant is to star in a new 3D-CGI film version of children's television hero Postman Pat in Postman Pat: The Movie - You Know You're The One, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the show; the actor will lend his vocal talents to the film alongside Rupert Grint, Jim Broadbent, with the voice of Pat to be provided by Stephen Mangan. [Mirror, 16th Sep]

Meanwhile, a pair of pants signed by the actor and the rest of the West End cast of Much Ado About Nothing was able to raise £252 for the Make A Difference Foundation. [Daily Record, 25th Sep]

Arthur Darvill (Rory) will be performing as one of a multitude of cast for the Bush Theatre's production of Sixty Six Books: "Celebrating the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible, each book of this great English work is spoken to by a remarkable range of playwrights, poets, songwriters and novelists from all faiths and none, from over a dozen countries and across five continents." The performances run between 10th-29th October. [Bush Theatre]

Steven Moffat was nominated for Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special at this year's Emmy Awards; however, the Sherlock writer lost out on the night to Downton Abbey's Julian Fellowes. [Academy of Television Arts and Sciences]

Alex Kingston (River Song) will be joining the cast of BBC drama Upstairs, Downstairs; her character, Blanche Mottershead, is described as "a free-thinking and outspoken archaeologist who smokes cheroots and who is fond of a 'little light nudism'". The actress said of the role: "I simply couldn't resist the opportunity to get inside the iconic 165 Eaton Place. I can say the character is very complex, very intriguing and very straight-talking. She has some very dark secrets of her own." [BBC News, Mail on Sunday, 25th Sep]

Arlene Tur (Vera in Torchwood: Miracle Day) talks about her new production: "I started my producing career recently. I've been producing a show called Homeless Improvement, which is a show where we come alongside homeless people who want to become a part of society and get reunited with their family, so we work with them to do that. We've filmed it and now we're shopping it around for distribution and there are some networks that are interested so we're excited about that. I have a real heart for philanthropy, I think we're made to give back – we're not meant to just take while we're here. I do a lot of mission work abroad so it was wonderful to take on a project where I'm helping people in the States, because I tend to go away usually." [Stuff, 25th Sep]

Bernard Cribbins (Wilf) will be talking about his experiences in the angling world at The Lands End pub in Landsend Lane, Twyford on 19th November. A keen angler himself, the actor has also produced films for the angling world. [Get Wokingham, 21st Sep]

A number of conventions featuring actors from Doctor Who and its spin-offs will be taking place over the next few months. David Tennant will be attending his first convention since taking on the role of the tenth Doctor while Alexa Havins and Arlene Tur from Torchwood: Miracle Day make their first appearance at a UK convention.

This is a list of confirmed guests for some of the bigger events taking place in the UK and US.

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The Entertainment Media Show (London) — 1-2 October

David Tennant (the tenth Doctor), Eve Myles (Gwen Cooper), Arthur Darvill (Rory Williams), Alex Kingston (River Song), Ian McNeice (Winston Churchill), Nina Toussaint-White (Mels), Albert Welling (Adolf Hitler), Frances Barber (Eye Patch Lady / Madame Kovarian), Miranda Raison (Tallulah), Caitlin Blackwood (Amelia Pond), Dan Starkey (Skorr, Strax), Anneke Wills (Polly), David Gooderson (Davros, Destiny of the Daleks), Philip Rham (Zimmerman), Leslie Schofield (Leroy, Calib), Kate O'Mara (the Rani), Georgia Moffett (Jenny, The Doctor's Daughter).

Autographica (London) — 14-16 October

Honor Blackman (Professor Lasky), Rodney Bewes (Stien), Michael Jayston (the Valeyard), Michael Cochrane (Lord Cranleigh, Redvers Fenn-Cooper), Philip Madoc (Eelek, War Lord, Solon, Fenner), Stephen Greif (Gurney, The Infinite Quest).

London MCM Expo — 28-30 October

Alexa Havins (Esther Drummand) and Arlene Tur (Dr. Vera Juarez), Torchwood: Miracle Day.

Memorabilia London — 29-30 October

Catherine Schell (Countess), Andrew Hayden-Smith (Jake Simmonds), Ayesha Antoine (Dee Dee Blasco), Daniel King (Davenport), Anna Barry (Anat), Sheila Steafel and Ray Brooks (Daleks – Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D.).

Memorabilia Birmingham — 19-20 November

Colin Baker (the sixth Doctor), Arthur Darvill, Kai Owen (Rhys Williams), Sarah Sutton (Nyssa), Derek Jacobi (Professor Yana / The Master), Marshall Lancaster (Buzzer), Frances Barber, Fiona Walker (Kala, Lady Peinforte), Isla Blair (Isabella), John Challis (Scorby), Roger Lloyd-Pack (John Lumic), Danny Horn (Adult Kazran).

Chicago TARDIS — 25-27 November

Peter Davison (the fifth Doctor), Alex Kingston, Nicholas Briggs (Various voices, Rick Yates), Beth Chalmers (Big Finish), Ben Aaronovitch (Writer: Remembrance of the Daleks, Battlefield), Arnold T. Blumberg (Howe's Transcendental Toybox), Benjamin Cook (The Writer's Tale, Doctor Who Magazine), Toby Hadoke (Moths Ate My Doctor Who Scarf)

Gallifrey One (Los Angeles) — 17-19 February 2012

Paul McGann (the eighth Doctor), Camille Coduri (Jackie Tyler), Mark Sheppard (Canton Everett Delaware III), Louise Jameson (Leela), Maureen O'Brien (Vicki), William Russell (Ian Chesterton), Tony Curran (Vincent van Gogh), Eric Roberts(The Master), Mary Tamm (Romana 1), Daphne Ashbrook (Dr. Grace Holloway), John De Lancie(Agent Shapiro from Torchwood), Frazer Hines (Jamie McCrimmon), Richard Franklin (Mike Yates), Yee Jee Tso (Chang Lee), Toby Haynes(director), Richard Senior(director), Nicholas Briggs (Various voices), Beth Chalmers (Big Finish), Lisa Greenwood (Big Finish), Michael Troughton (son of Patrick Troughton, novelist), plus many more.

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Other events can be found on our Events page.

The 2012 Guinness World Records features the man with the largest collection of Daleks in the world.

Rob Hull, a 49 year old from Doncaster in South Yorkshire, is recognised for having the largest collection of the deadly assassins from Skaro, with a total of 571 models, collected over 20 years.

The collection contains Daleks large and small including a 1.8 metre (6ft) lifesize replica model. He brought his first Dalek at 29 and has been collecting them ever since, despite not being a fan of Doctor Who.

Hull's wife Dawn is not celebrating the record.


Doctor Who, is already the holder of two Guinness World Records, having been named the Worlds Most successful sci-fi series in 2009 as well as being the Longest running sci-fi series. Last year Doctor Who Magazine was named as the world's Longest Running Magazine Based on a Television Series.

Matt Smith met up with wounded Royal Marine rowers on the 13th July when they were engaged in the Thames Challenge. The crew were greeted by the actor at the Leander Club at Henley, being there himself for the BBC film Bert and Dickie, the story of the 1948 London Olympic win by the duo. [Thames Challenge, 13th Jul; This is the West County, 12th Sep]

Arthur Darvill fulfilled a lifelong ambition to dive with sharks, as seen in Doctor Who Confidential last Saturday: "Something that has both excited and terrified me is the idea of swimming with sharks. I just think they are such fascinating and amazing creatures. I’ve been snorkelling a few times but to be able to swim with them in a controlled environment is just awesome. It was like something from James Bond, just stepping into this giant pool with massive sharks. I was fairly nervous but also really excited." [Chester Chronicle, 12th Sep]

David Tennant will be one of the hosts for Children in Need's Manchester Rocks concert, taking place at the MEN Arena on 17th November. Acts include Coldplay, Elbow, JLS, Lady Gaga and Hugh Laurie. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, proceeds in support of the charity. [BBC Press, 14th Sep]

Speaking at the launch of his Christmas pantomime (Robinson Crusoe And The Caribbean Pirates ), John Barrowman commented on future Doctor casting: "I think a female doctor might work, you never know. The audience might not like that. I know there's a lot of young girls and women who would love that. I think that maybe they should go out on a limb next time and try it. That always stirs things up a little bit and makes things exciting and it's nice to see different things and challenges happen like that. Listen, if Captain Jack can be an omni-sexual time agent and an assistant to the doctor, why can't we have a female doctor?" [Press Association, 13th Sep]

Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch commented about rumours of him becoming the Doctor on the Jonathan Ross Show: "The rumours started because David Tennant is a friend of mine and he said 'going up for my old job?', and I said 'I don’t think I am'. They’re huge shoes to fill. One of the reasons is the Doctor Who job is so hard, because you are on the flask, you are on the school lunch box, you have to sometimes go on the school bus as Doctor Who on promotional tours. I like to keep the work on the set." [The Jonathan Ross Show, ITV1, 10th Sep]

Doctor Who Brand Manager Edward Russell has completed his 168 mile walk from the BBC's Upper Boat Studios in Wales to BBC Television Centre in London, and in the process raised over £15,000 in memory of Elisabeth Sladen.

Russell undertook the Walk for Lis to raise money for Meadow House Hospice, The NHS-funded facility which cared for the actress best known for playing Sarah Jane Smith in Doctor Who and The Sarah Jane Adventures, and who died earlier this year.

Russell set off from the current home of Doctor Who, Upper Boat studios at Pontypridd in South Wales around 11am Saturday 3rd September. Walking an average of 21 miles a day, he arrived at the former home of the programme, BBC Television Centre in London at around 5pm last Saturday. Russell was joined for the last 7 miles of the walk by Doctor Who Magazine Editor Tom Spilsbury.

As of Sunday evening the walk had raised £15,622.13, exceeding Russell's target of £15,000.

Russell declared himself fine after the walk saying He passed on his thanks to everyone who supported, encouraged, retweeted and donated.

The Just Giving site is still open for donations for those who wish to contribute.

David Tennant can be heard in a new thirteen-part play to be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 between 18th-25th September; Life And Fate sees him star alongside Kenneth Branagh in an adaptation of Vasily Grossman's book centred around the battle of Stalingrad, and charting the fate of both a nation and a family in the turmoil of war. The pair can also be seen introducing their characters and what makes a radio play special on YouTube. [BBC Radio 4 details]

Karen Gillan will be guest DJ on Monster FM during Sunday 11th September (time tbc). [Monster FM]

Sylvester McCoy will be appearing in the Bath Theatre Royal production of The Mikado between 19th-24th September, starring as the titular role alongside Nichola McAuliffe as Katisha, Rebecca Knight as Yum-Yum, Alistair Donkin as Ko-Ko and Mark Llewellyn Evans as Pish-Tush. [Theatre Royal]

Freema Agyeman (Martha) can be seen playing the role of Kareema in the film Abduction, released on 23rd September; the film stars Taylor Lautner and also features Jason Isaacs and Sigourney Weaver.

John Barrowman has made it clear he'd like to be involved in Doctor Who's anniversary: "It's the 50th anniversary coming up of 'Doctor Who' and Jack is an integral part to this story and, if I'm going to be a little self-absorbed, I would hope he would be involved, it would be a shame if he wasn't. I don't think it's a question of whether I would like to come back as Captain Jack, I'd be very happy to do that any time. I know the fans would really like that. But it's a decision left up to the BBC and the drama department. So like I've said to all the fans you need to write to them if you want it to happen because I've never been asked. I know Russell thinks it might be a nice idea as did Steven Moffat but who knows?" [Bang Showbiz, 8 Sep 2011]

Mark Strickson (Turlough) comments on what his mother thought of the new series upon its return: "Mum said, 'yeah, it's much better than when you were in it.' What my mum meant by that was that they had spent a lot more money on it ... the graphics are amazing ... it's written more as a drama ... in like a movie form ... and there's lots more opportunities for character development in that way when you're not slicing it in-between Look West and Softly Softly. You look back and we got fantastic ratings. [Stuff, 9 Sep 2011]

Roger Griffiths (Commander Kess, A Good Man Goes To War) talks about how his appearance went down well with his son: I got a lot of points for Doctor Who. My youngest came home with this coolness and threw across the dining table these cards which I was on with my powers. Forget everything at that point, this is what it’s about: ‘the boy is trading your cards at school’. I got a lot of credits in the playground for that and Batman Begins." [Bakewell Today, 9 Sep 2011]

Local and national papers have reported on the tragic death of actor Gary Suller, with mention of his appearance in Doctor Who (he was a supporting artist in The End of Time). [inc South Wales Argus, Mirror, Sun, 9 Sep 2011]

Louise Jameson is to give a special performance of her one-woman show Pulling Faces in Australia next month.

The event is hosted by the Doctor Who Club of Australia as an epilogue to the Whovention 21 Celebration and takes place at the Bankstown Sports Club in Sydney on Wednesday 26th October. As well as the show itself, the actress will also attend a Q&A session, and an additional 'priority' package is available which enables ticket holders to attend an exclusive "meet and greet" with the actress and be able to receive her autograph after the event.


You can find more details of the event from the Doctor Who Club of Australia, and the play itself via Louise Jameson's official website.

(with thanks to Vitas Varnas)

Last Friday heard David Tennant co-hosting the Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show on Absolute Radio, discussing current projects and joining in the general mayhem of the programme - you can watch two videos from the show, with David discovering the delights of "Building Tennis" and "Fish Face Friday"! [Absolute Radio, 2 Sep 2011]

West-end stars including David Tennant have put their underwear up for auction to raise money for the Make A Difference Trust. The auction is being run on Ebay and items have been signed by the celebrity in question. Steven Inman, charity director, said: "This is a novel and fun way to raise money for good causes and we are fortunate to have the support of so many big names backing the Pants Project and its aims to help sick people in hardship. The pants are destined to become must-have mementos and are sure to attract a lot of interest from fans. [Metro, 6 Sep 2011]

John Barrowman has been busy promoting his new album, but will also be launching a range of grooming products on 12th September; named HIM, the range will be available exclusively from shopping channel QVC. [John Barrowman website, 6 Sep 2011]

The entertainer is also subject of a new musical, Stalking John Barrowman, where two eccentric fans set up a detective agency to snoop on the star. Described as a very traditional Broadway sound with a sort of Disney element, Musical director Patrick Steed said: "I hope he’ll be flattered. There should be loads in there for the fans – it will appeal to a lot of people who love Doctor Who and Torchwood and people who follow his career." [Wales on Sunday, 4 Sep 2011]

Billie Piper is to star as Carly in Neil LaBute’s Reasons To Be Pretty, which will open in London's Almeida Theatre on 10th November; her co-stars in the Tony Award-nominated play are Kieran Bew (Kent), Sian Brooke (Steph), and Tom Burke (Greg). Synopsis: "Greg is overheard admitting that his girlfriend Steph is no beauty, but that he wouldn't change her for the world. She is devastated; he can't quite see what he’s done wrong. Meanwhile, Greg's best friend Kent alternates between boasting about how gorgeous his wife Carly is, and chasing after a hot new colleague." [inc The Stage, Theatermania, What's On Stage, 2 Sep 2011]

Steven Moffat recently spoke on his continuing association with Doctor Who: I haven't got any kind of plans to leave. I take it one [season] at a time. 'Doctor Who' on its own is an incredible workload, astonishing. And to have that and to have 'Sherlock,' yeah, it's savage. I'd like to get out before it kills me. But and it's not killing me at the moment. I'm loving doing it, so I have no immediate plans to leave. But at the same time, the thing about 'Doctor Who' is, when it is time to go, you want to make sure it's looked after. You don't want to be the last one. I want it to go on and triumph long after I stop. [AOLTV, 26 Aug 2011]

Daniel Mays (who appeared as Alex in last weekend's Night Terrors) talked about if he would play the Doctor: "I don't know, it's so huge. Matt said to me you have to get used to having your face on plates and merchandise and all this sort of stuff. It's a huge part. isn't it? I don't know whether I would be able to take that on. But he's doing a fantastic job." [Coventry Telegraph, 2 Sep 2011]

Peter Hoar (director for A Good Man Goes To War) commented on his preferences for directing: "I prefer the more organic approach of reality and ‘things’. If I can create it for real, to be seen and touched by the cast, then I believe the performances are stronger. CGI definitely has a place but as a tool to improve reality and create fantasy but not out of proportion." On returning to direct further episodes: "I haven’t been asked as yet but wouldn’t turn down a great offer!" [Hypable, 5 Sep 2011 (with thanks to Nicholas Myers)]