Series Two

Noted in last week's release of Doctor Who Magazine: the title presumed for episode 8, The Satan Pit, is actually the title for the second half of the story, episode 9. No idea, though, about the first episode's title.

This Is Plymouth has a feature on Jessica Atkins, an eleven-year-old actress from Looseleigh who will be in the forthcoming episode "The Girl in the Fireplace" (which the article says will be airing in March, but other rumors suggest a series two start date of mid-April). "Filming for the episode took place in Newport in Wales last October, where Jessica, who also goes to Widewell Primary School, took the fame game in her stride, chatting with David Tennant and hob-nobbing with the other stars. She said: 'Everything was really cool and fun. I'm a big fan of the series - I love it and have watched all the episodes. At first it was a bit nerve-racking meeting all the stars. But David Tennant was lovely. He showed me around, we had a long chat and he was really friendly. Mum was more scared than I was anyway. When David took me on to the set, mum was walking behind us just speechless. The whole experience was just amazing. I saw the inside of the Tardis which was really weird - it looked unreal. And a Dalek without a head, which looked a bit spooky. Each morning a car picked us up from our hotel in Cardiff and we'd travel to the set with Noel Clarke who plays Mickey - Rose's boyfriend. He was my favourite. When it was finished and they said 'that's a wrap, that's the end of Jessica's part' they all clapped. I couldn't say anything because I thought I might cry. But it's a good feeling to get home and know you've done it.'" The article notes that she got the part through being a member of the national Italia Conti Agency and had to audition for the part at BBC Broadcasting House last September. "A week after the audition they called to say I'd got it. My brother was the first to tell me and I didn't believe him. Then mum said 'You've got the part' and I was so happy I just rolled around on my bed screaming. ... I had 13 lines and there's a big bit where just me and the Doctor talk. The episode is really quite scary - it was a little frightening just filming it." More at the website. Interestingly, this is the first item to mention that Noel Clarke might also be in this episode.

The news last week about the casting updates printed in Doctor Who Magazine were picked up by The Mirror, The Daily Record, Monsters and Critics.

Dancing On Ice

The Dancing on Ice competition heats up this weekend as series one starJohn Barrowman and classic series starBonnie Langford continued to compete on the popular UK series. Here's the recap:

Readabet took their first four-figure bet on the series late last week with a 1000 pound wager reported on Barrowman (whose odds were said to be 10/11). Langford was their second favorite at 7/4. "'At this stage it looks like a two horse race between John Barrowman and Bonnie Langford but don't write off David Seaman, he has pulled off some great saves in the past,' said Hills spokesman Rupert Adams."

The Mirror featured verdicts on the remaining contestants, noting that Barrowman was "a wonderful showman, one of my favourites to reach the final. Last week he fell on his arse. I can't believe the others gave him such high marks." They also said of Langford, "Absolutely brilliant. Despite being the oldest and a busy mum she's doing amazingly death-defying routines. She pushes herself the hardest - a potential winner." The Daily Recordalso featured, in their 'Crockomter', "John Barromwan - put his back out and injured his ankle. He also sliced partner Olga 's hand open with his blades. But he's 10-11 favourite to win, say bookies William Hill, who took a 1000 bet on him this week. ... Bonnie Langford - The former child star of Just William took to wearing a helmet while training after bashing her head. She also slashed her partner Matt Evers' face with her boot blade during a spin."

On Friday the Daily Star interviewed Barrowman: "Barrowman says he is so scared before he steps on the rink he's worried he'll wet himself on live TV. The 38-year-old, who starred as Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who, is more petrified of leaving a puddle of pee than taking a tumble on the slippery surface. And the US actor, who's hot favourite to win the ITV1 show, says the spangly-tight costumes he has to wear as he whirls around only add to his predicament. He said: 'As we're about to go on, I get totally emotional and feel like bursting into tears. Millions of people are watching and it's terrifying. I always feel like peeing myself - especially as the costume is so ridiculously tight. It feels like I'm going to spring a leak and have a big wet stain on my costume.' John, who will start filming Doctor Who spin-off show Torchwood in April, also revealed he got on the good side of new Time Lord David Tennant, 34, when the pair met recently. He said: 'David showed up at my dressing room and I thought, 'Oh my God, it's Doctor Who'. I said to him: 'David, you're even more handsome in real life'. And he replied: 'You know what? I think you and I are going to get along just great.'"

Saturday's Edinburgh News asked, "Who would ever have thought that Bonnie Langford would one day become a cool (quite literally) trend-setter north of the Border? And yet apparently that's exactly what's happened thanks to her battling performances on ITV's Saturday ratings-winner Dancing On Ice. For the past few weeks, the quintessential English rose, who first achieved fame as the precocious Violet Elizabeth Bott in Just William way back in 1976 (although she made her TV debut long before that in Junior Showtime), has been attracting a whole new generation of fans with her never-say-die approach to the show, in which celebrities are paired with ice-skating professionals who teach them a new routine each week. Now, while the one-time Doctor Who girl is no stranger to dancing - she also starred in the Hot Shoe Show in the 80s - it's the ice part of Dancing On Ice that has been causing her problems. Twice now, Bonita (as she was billed in the movie Bugsy Malone) has cracked her head after a fall. Despite this, however, her exploits, along with those of her fellow contestants John Barrowman, ex-Corrie star Sean Wilson, The Bill's Stefan Booth and Gaynor Faye of Fat Friends, have sparked a boom in the number of people taking skating lessons at Murrayfield ice rink. As delighted rink manager Billy Dunbar said this week: 'It's been amazingly busy in here, and our professional coaches are almost struggling to keep up with the demand.' ... Of course ice-skating isn't without its dangers, as fans of the show, and in particular David Seaman, found when he fell on his partner and almost flattened her. In fact, with the fourth round of Dancing On Ice going out live tonight it remains to be seen if his partner, Pam O'Connor, will be fit enough to take to the ice having damaged her shoulder in the fall. And that's the reason the nearest you'll get me to an ice rink these days is a seat in front of the telly tonight, phone in hand getting ready to vote for Bonnie. Be honest, if she doesn't win, could you really bear to hear her thweam and thweam and thweam until she's thhick?"

Finally, Saturday night, the results were in: Yahoo News reported that Barrowman was the latest celebrity to be voted off "Dancing On Ice". "Despite coming third overall out of seven after the judges' vote, John and his partner, world junior gold medallist and three times Russian champion Olga Sharutenko, were forced into a skate-off after the public phone in. They went head to head with soap star Stefan Booth and his partner Kristina Cousins in the skate-off after both pairs received the lowest public support. The judges were divided over the two performances with two votes apiece and the deciding vote going to Olympic gold medal skater Robin Cousins. He chose to save Stefan from the chop and said: 'I have gone with the showman who has delivered technical skating tonight.' After his performance John said: 'I had a little bump but I got through it - it's very nerve wracking.'" Langford now continues as the only Doctor Who representative on the show.

People

The BBC's internal magazine Ariel has featured obituaries for two Doctor Who personages who recently passed away: former production managerGary Downie and former visual effects designer Tony Oxley. Says the magazine about Downie in an obit written by former Doctor Who director Fiona Cumming, "His career was multi-faceted -- dancing, choreography, tv production, writing, stage production and psychotherapy. I first met Gary in BBC drama serials, where he worked on a variety of programmes -- I, Claudius, Poldark, Nicholas Nickleby, Wuthering Heights, All Creatures Great and Small, Star Cops and, of course, Doctor Who. He was production manager on Underworld, Silver Nemesis, Black Orchid, Dimensions in Time and The Two Doctors, working with a variety of Doctors and companions. He and his long-term partner, John Nathan-Turner [former Doctor Who series producer], formed Teynham Productions, together with Ian Fraser and myself, to present Pantomime, which took us all back to our roots in theatre. Gary, who contributed time and money to supporting charities in Brighton and abroad, developed a late interest in psychotherapy, which afforded both his clients and himself a deep satisfaction. The loss of JNT in 2002 was a dreadful blow to Gary, followed as it was by the onset of cancer which he fought for two years. He was fortunate to have the support of a nucleus of caring friends to help him through the illness. In December, he and Barry Hannam celebrated their civil contract. Shared by friends of both John and Gary, it was a joyous occasion. We shall miss him." Of Oxley, former series visual effects designer Michealjohn Harris noted that he "had an extraordinary range of interests and abilities which he applied to a diversity of work in the course of a long and successful life. Tony acquired an interest in machinery of every imaginable kind early in life, spending boyhood hours finding out how all manner of machines worked on a war department machinery dump. After the war, he began work for City Display, a company specialising in film and display models. This work expanded into making animated models, including a model whale for Moby Dick – designed and built by Tony himself. He joined the BBC as a visual effects design assistant and soon became much in demand, especially by Doctor Who and light entertainment productions. Despite his dreams of a quiet retirement, Tony found, almost overnight, that he had become a freelance special properties designer. He worked as a contractor for the BBC with the same interest and dedication until, because of changes in BBC management, this work came to an end. Tony was a singular man of huge talent and ability. His passing is a great loss to his family and to all those in tv and film who admired him."

David Tennant has been voted onto a list of the world's "100 Sexiest Men" by the readers of New Woman Magazine. While such notables as Brad Pitt (#1), Jake Gyllenhaal (#2), Johnny Depp (#4) and David Beckham (#14) were obvious choices, Tennant made the list at #20. Reported at the Daily Record, Daily Mail, UTV, The Independent, 24 Dash, MI6, The Age Australia. Also, Tony Head (soon to be seen in the series 2 episode "School Reunion") was #81 on the list. Says the Bath Chronicle, "Tony, who kept the nation guessing throughout the 1980s as the Gold Blend man, has hung on to his sex symbol status thanks to his role as Giles in cult show Buffy The Vampire Slayer. ... He is also a vice-president of the Royal United Hospital's fundraising appeal, Forever Friends. 'We are thrilled that Tony features as a winner in this list,' said Ruth Wilkinson, from the appeal. 'As well as being a very attractive man Tony is a wonderful person and we are extremely grateful to have him on board. From fundraisers, such as last year's Valentine phone call auction, to singing on stage with Clare Teal at the Jamie Cullum concert, Tony is a totally pro-active supporter of the appeal and therefore we would rate him over Brad Pitt any day.'"

Tennant also appeared on Virgin Radio in early January on a call-in show during their "Who's Calling Christian?" segment; listeners are urged to have their favorite celebrities call into the show, and Tennant obliged. The website has an audio clip.

Sixth Doctor Colin Baker and actor Jeremy Bulloch ("The Time Warrior," "The Space Museum") will lock swords in an episode of the popular BBC1 daytime series Doctors this Wednesday, 8 March at 2:05pm. "The stars play two men who prepare to settle an old score by fighting a fencing duel to the death! Can Boba Fett call upon his bounty hunting skills to beat the time travelling Dr. Who? Which one will end up at the Riverside Surgery? Colin Baker plays Charles Dillon and Jeremy Bulloch plays Victor Hendon, two foolish old men who decide it is time to settle a long standing feud originating back to how Victor treated Charles’ sister, Betty, with his philandering ways when the two were married. Victor now wants to remarry his ex-wife much to Charles’ disgust so they decide to battle it out in a traditional and gentlemanly way. But there’s not a Blaster Pistol or a Tardis in sight!"

Says icWales today, Tom Baker is "tongue-tied" and "will get Welsh lessons after the voice of BT's new call service was caught out by Wales on Sunday. The stripey-scarfed Doctor Who legend has been signed up by the phone company to front BT Text, which allows mobile users to send messages to landlines. ... So Wales on Sunday put it to the test, sending 10 messages containing Welsh place names and common Welsh words. And the result - the former Dr Who became Dr What?! Names like Llanrwst and Llanfairfechan came out garbled while he gave up on words like cwtch, opting to spell them out instead. And when we put him to the test with Britain's longest place name -- the Anglesey town of Llanfairpwllgwyngy- llgogerychwyrndrobwyllllantysiliogogogoch -- the star sounded like he had been enjoying a night on the tiles! Now 72-year-old Tom is to return to the studio to record some Welsh pronunciations after BT bosses were confronted by our dossier of disappointing diction. The star had already spent 11 days recording every sound in the English language - 11,593 phrases, which covered every single sound in each of their different contexts. 'These did not cover every word or place name, but instead the aim was to create a soundbank of all the sounds in the English language, which could be stuck together by the computer to create new words,' explained BT's voice-text supremo Wendy McMillan-Tiller. 'As part of this process we also took into account a long list of exceptions, including numerous Welsh place names, which each needed an individually crafted pronunciation to be created and loaded onto the system.' But she admitted that even Doctor Who struggled when confronted with the mighty foe of the Welsh language. 'As far as possible, we will do our best to amend words that are pronounced incorrectly and welcome feedback on any commonly used words that the voice cannot currently recognise, along with their correct pronunciation,' she said. 'We will certainly try our best to take on board the most frequently used words such as cwtch and Urdd Eisteddfod, but cannot promise to amend every single word. Indeed, part of the fun of the service is testing the voice to see if you can catch it out.' The service will see the Liverpool-born legend reading out texts for the next three months including common abbreviations like b4 - and, for the juvenile amongst you, even swear words! 'What appeals to me most is the thought that I will be bringing good news to people whether it is a cheeky message, a birthday greeting or just a quick hello,' he said. 'Whatever it is, hopefully my voice will bring a smile to people's faces.'"

The Independent mentioned Tom Baker's gig for BT but asked, "who are his rivals behind the microphone?" The article then mentions Michael Jayston, who played The Valeyard during Season 23, "The Trial of a Time Lord". "Tom Baker has paid tribute to the 'wonderful warmth' of the voice of this classical actor, who was once considered for the part of James Bond. Like Baker, Jayston has played Doctor Who, although, unlike Baker, he was an evil doctor. The 70-year-old played Raquel's dad in Only Fools and Horses and provided the voice-over for Finisterre, the first film made by the UK pop trio Saint Etienne, for which he describes in his narration as 'a quick glance at the London nobody knows'. His voice can also be heard between tracks on their album of the same name."

Also... says Friday's The Sun, Tom Baker "wants to be a transvestite in Coronation Street. The eccentric former Dr Who star, 72, said it would be the 'ultimate' role. Speaking on ITV1's Today with Des and Mel yesterday, he said: 'I would be mysterious, not made-up well and in need of a shave.'" BBC News also called Baker one of their "faces of the week".

The Mirror features an interview with Mark Benton, who played Clive during series one. "His cheeky face and bulky frame are instantly recognisable. Strangers shout after him in the street and hail him as a longlost friend. Yet few people actually know his name. Mark Benton has found a strange sort of notoriety, thanks to his starring role in the popular TV ads for the Nationwide building society. He plays the infuriating bank clerk who flogs 'Cracker-Jacka-Tracker' mortgages to 'brand new customers only' - a catchphrase that has started to follow him around." Doctor Who is mentioned only very briefly.

Paul McGann will be starring in a lavish production of the classic Agatha Christie tale "Sleeping Murder" for ITV this evening, according to both ITNand Channel 4. McGann will be featured alongside Geraldine McEwan as Miss Marple, along with Dawn French, Sarah Parish and Una Stubbs.

Books

Trade magazine The Bookseller this week reports on the forthcoming BBC Audio releases of David Tennant reading the first batch of Tenth Doctor novels, noting that Tennant's work will be released on CD in July. Also, Ben Dunn, former BBC Books commissioning editor and now editorial director at Fourth Estate, is profiled in the magazine, briefly dealing with his experiences at BBC Books: "He also commissioned the hugely successful set of tie-in novels to the new Doctor Who series, as well as a number on non-tie-in Doctor Who books. But the Beeb was going through a period of great upheaval while he was there and it was, he says, a demoralising place to work." The Bookseller's diary column, 'Bent's Notes', also has a small piece noting comments by Ben Dunn: "Fourth Estate's popular culture guru Ben Dunn... has revealed the slightly unsavoury side of his previous role commissioning "Doctor Who" novels at the BBC. He was deluged with submissions for novels from 'Doctor Who' fans, and, after the inevitable rejection letters, often featured in online fiction as an evil overlord who eventually gets his come-uppance. In one classic, The Revenge of Fanwank, Dunn's brain is taken over."

Miscellaneous

Auditions for Big Brother this week included one of the contestants auditioning as a Dalek! Says BBC News, "More than 1000 people have turned up to audition for the next series of Channel 4's reality TV show Big Brother. Would-be contestants, some in fancy dress, queued for up to four hours to get a chance to impress the producers of this year's seventh UK series. One participant dressed as a Dalek in an attempt to get noticed by the programme-makers."

Silicon.com has more to add on the Tom Baker/BT item, including this commentary: "Speaking loosely as we were of BT, the incumbent telco announced a rather fun initiative this week... The company's text-to-voicemail service, which takes an SMS message and turns it into an audio voicemail recording for landline phones, is to be voiced by none other than Tom Baker – former Dr Who legend and now the voice of Little Britain. Oh, the fun you could have. Such services are certainly proving popular – not to mention confusing for those who don't know they have such an option at their disposal, though to date it has normally been voiced by a machine. One member of the silicon.com team reported a very confused phone call from 'the wife' who expressed some alarm at the fact a robot had apparently just called her at home and demanded: 'If you are going to the shops, don't forget to buy my razors' in a voice akin to Baker's old foes the Daleks. Very unsettling. But since Tuesday of this week Baker's warm and reassuring tones have been giving 2.3 million BT customers their messages. But don't worry, poor old Tom isn't working his fingers to the bone jotting down notes and putting in calls -- there is still a large amount of automation to this process. ... 'There is no limit to the words the voice can say,' added BT, '... even rude ones.' Now there's an idea. If the Round-Up knows anything about human nature it's that it goes without saying customers will inevitably get 'Sir' Tom to say some pretty smutty things. BT is also claiming the service can read abbreviations and keystrokes such as smiley faces. Baker said of his involvement with the project: 'Daleks!! Quick to the TARDIS.' Oh alright he didn't, according to BT he actually said: 'It's a big responsibility to be Britain’s voice of text.' It's not really, is it Tom? It probably pays the bills but it's not exactly open heart surgery. Tom continued: 'What appeals to me most is... ' It's the money isn't it? Say it's the money... '... the thought that I will be bringing good news to people whether it is a cheeky message, a birthday greeting or just a quick hello. Whatever it is, hopefully my voice will bring a smile to people's faces.' The Round-Up is a little unconvinced -- suspecting the actor was not the source of that quote at all -- but is willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, because he's Tom Baker."

Saturday's Mirror had a brief article about the upcoming "Primaeval," ITV's 6 million pound answer to Doctor Who. "As Professor Nick Cutter - a time-travelling scientist - Douglas Henshall will rival fellow Scot David Tennant's Time Lord. And just like the Doctor, he'll even have a blonde former teen pop star to assist him... in the shape of S Club 7 bopper Hannah Spearitt. In her first TV role since making the Beeb's series about the band, Hannah will play feisty zoologist Abby Lister. Move over Billie Piper

The latest issue of the British satirical magazine Private Eye features a lookalikes section comparing 'The Romantics' (with David Tennant) presenter Peter Ackroyd to a Sontaran. They show a picture of him next to a picture of Linx from 'The Time Warrior' and speculate whether the Director General of the BBC is aware that aliens have invaded his staff.

(Thanks to Paul Engelberg, Steve Tribe, Simon Cooper, Nick Salmond, Ed Martin, Peter Anghelides, Peter Weaver, Faiz Rehman)

Broadcasting

According to Radio Times, The Christmas Invasion will be repeated in the UK on BBC Three at 9pm on Friday 10 February.

Meanwhile, more from ABC Australia on its series two plans, or lack thereof: according to an email sent to a fan, ABC Audience and Consumer Affairs said, "The ABC is currently negotiating the rights for the 'The Christmas Invasion' 2005 special and Series 2 of the new Doctor Who, both starring David Tennant as the 10th Doctor. We anticipate that the Christmas special and the new series will be broadcast later in 2006. At this stage, I cannot be more specific about when this may occur."

There are rumors currently circulating that the BBC has supposedly 'confirmed' April 15 as the date of transmission of Series Two in the UK. In fact, Outpost Gallifrey reported in December that there were rumors of an Easter weekend debut, based on news reports including a press release about the Tenth Doctor novels mentioning Easter weekend; these reports are nothing new. We have been informed that, in fact, no final decision has yet been made on transmission, and in fact the date last year was in flux until approximately six weeks prior. When the BBC makes its final determination and announces it, that is when it will be official.

Doctor Who Magazine Specials

The DWM Special Edition #13 will be The Ninth Doctor Collected Comics,according to the latest issue, with all four comic strips from last year's DWM, as well as 'Mr Nobody' from "The Doctor Who Annual 2006." Also, already listed on Amazon, the early autumn publication of The Doctor Who Storybook 2007 is also confirmed in the new DWM. Comprising a jacket by Alister Pearson, 84 pages, seven illustrated stories and a 15-page comic strip by Scott Gray, this will be a 7.99 hardback.

Press Coverage

Manchester Online has a new article about the series "Dancing On Ice" on ITV1 on Saturdays. It notes the high prospects of two Doctor Who celebrities when it says "Current odds-on favourite is actor John Barrowman, who was born in Scotland but raised in America. The Broadway and West End stage star is best known for his role as Captain Jack in Doctor Who. 'I was fortunate growing up,' he says. 'My family had a lake, which our neighbourhood all shared, and the parents used to clear off part of the lake and we would ice skate and play hockey. We got a little adventurous when the ice was hard enough and we'd go in a swamp area where the lake froze - all the trees froze out of the lake and we had all these obstacles to go around.' John - who also co-presented one series of former BBC1 Saturday morning show Live And Kicking - has made no secret of his desire to win alongside partner Olga Sharutenko. 'I'm going for broke. It's a competition and I'm probably one of the most competitive people you'll meet.' Aiming to stop him is second favouriteBonnie Langford, who also knows a thing or two about dancing. But the former child star says there's a big difference when ice is involved. 'I'd never, ever, skated in my life before. I never put skates anywhere near my foot because being a dancer, you never did. It's a very late venture in my life.'"

The Guardian has published a Dalek-themed cartoon commenting on the
British government's new incapacity benefit rules.

The Sun features a new interview with Tom Baker. "Dr Who legend Tom Baker says he would consider a shock return to the hit sci-fi show - despite never having watched it in his life. The veteran actor is one of the most-famous Timelords ever, having spent a record seven-year stint in the role. But the 72-year-old, who quit the show in 1981, told us he'd now think about a comeback. He said: 'If they could come up with a good enough part I would consider it. It would depend what the proposition was. But I wouldn't want to make an entrance just for a cheap laugh. I've got nothing against cheap laughs but I just don't need to do that now. I'd rather have an interesting part... for a few minutes at least.' Amazingly, Tom has never seen an episode of the show, which returned to screens last year starring Christopher Eccleston and later David Tennant in the lead role. He laughed: 'I haven't even seen it. I didn't watch the show when I was in it so I'm not about to watch it with someone else in it. They send me all the DVDs but I never watch them. I usually give them away. It isn't some big principle - I just can't be bothered.'" Read more of the interview, which also discusses his appearances in "Little Britain" and mentions his BT voiceover job.

The Independent also has an interview wih Tom, which it calls "Tom Baker: The 5 Minute Interview". "Being the voice of text appeals to me because ... Everybody wants to give good news. All my life I wanted to. And text is largely good news and making people happy. If I wasn't talking to you right now I'd be ... Telling lies to someone else. A phrase I use far too often is ... 'Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be.' I say it often to my wife who is a good deal younger than me, but she doesn't often see the joke." The full interview is available at their website.

The Independent today features the obituary of John Woodnutt who last month we reported passed away. "John Woodnutt was one of the most prolific character actors from the golden age of television drama, his long, thin face well suited to expressing disapproval, particularly as cold officials or implacable villains. ... He appeared in four Doctor Who stories, beginning with Jon Pertwee's debut 'Spearhead From Space' (1970), also the first in colour, later playing scaly, pointy-headed aliens in 'Frontier in Space' (1973) and 'Terror of the Zygons' (1975), before being cast as an elder in Tom Baker's penultimate story, 'The Keeper of Traken' (1981). In the same vein, he did the extremely silly The Tomorrow People (1973), and was a villainous Thin Man in The Boy from Space (1971)." The full obit is at the site.

The Norfolk Eastern Daily Press says that "Dozens of Daleks are heading to Holt in June - but their invasion has a mission to entertain rather than exterminate. The mechanised monsters will join in fun events such as trolley dashes and themed breakfasts. They are among the stars of a Dr Who weekend which will see the town's Georgian streets replete with a range of science-fiction and comic-book characters. Organiser Nigel Pearce said they aimed to attract 100 Daleks to 'roam the town'. There will be sci-fi breakfasts at Byford's cafe and the trolley dash, as well as a parade with other Dr Who enemies like Cybermen. It was hoped ex-Doctor Colin Baker would appear during the weekend, with the East Anglian Air Ambulance the main benefactor. Co-promoter Andy Argyle said the event would also feature characters from Star Wars, Star Trek and comic books like Spiderman. The carnival day and parade has been cancelled, but a treasure hunt, quiz and family disco will go ahead, linked to the Dr Who festival. The country park is holding an orienteering competition on June 24 at 2pm. A buffet at the Feathers Hotel will feature actors such as Terry Molloy, who played the Daleks' evil creator Davros. Sunday events will be centred on the market place."

Several websites have new reviews of the Beginning Boxed Set DVD release including VideoBusiness, Computer CrowsNest.

Radio 4's current Book of the Week is "Tete a Tete", Hazel Rowley's biography of Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, read by Eleanor Bron ("City of Death," "Revelation of the Daleks"). Meanwhile you can hearChristopher Eccleston pitching in on reading duty for the network's interminable history series This Sceptred Isle: Empire. Both are available for up to seven days via the bbc's Listen Again service, here for Book of the Week and here for This Sceptred Isle: Empire.

In brief... there's more coverage of the announcement of Tom Baker as the new voice of BT mobile at BBC News, The Register, The Guardian,Reuters, Computing, WhatPC, Engadget, Channel Four, ITN,ComputerActive,Stuff NZ, Infomatics Online, Funny.co.uk, IT Week, Hecklerspray, Cellular News, Special Broadcasting Service. Plus, there is a new press release from BT.

Meanwhile, there's more coverage of Billie Piper's award at the official Doctor Who website as well as The Stage,RTE; and more mentions ofMaureen Lipman in Series Two at FemaleFirst, DigitalSpy.

(Thanks to Paul Engelberg, Steve Tribe, Faiz Rehman, Dave Masters, Robert Davis, Matt Kimpton and Murray Harper)

Last night the annual Radio Times Covers Party, a celebration of the magazine's cover stars over the previous year, was held at the Savoy. Hosted by Graham Norton, the party was accordingly attended by Stephen Fry, Ricky Gervais, Sir Bob Geldof, Dame Vera Lynn, Charles Dance and Dame Helen Mirren, as well as many Doctor Who personalities. With Doctor Who having such a strong presence in the magazine over the last year, we're told it was no great surprise to find that David Tennant, Billie Piperand Russell T Davies were all in attendance, although David appeared on stage to collect a "Casanova" framed cover. Apparently, one surprise came when Russell went up to collect his cover... the lights dimmed and a Dalek appeared from the wings, crossed the floor and threatened him. (The Dalek, we are told, was probably a genuine BBC model and that Nicholas Briggs was in attendance providing the voice.) The Dalek became a key (and popular) prop for official Radio Times photograph sessions. David, Billie and Russell were all snapped; no doubt a selection of the pictures will appear in print for a future issue.

BBC Worldwide today confirmed the DVD releases in the UK of Genesis of the Daleks starring Tom Baker and Infernostarring Jon Pertwee. "Genesis" is listed by the official Doctor Who website as being due out 10 April, though some retailers are suggesting 27 March, while "Inferno" is due out 29 May.

Genesis of the Daleks will include commentary by Tom Baker, Elisabeth Sladen, Peter Miles (Nyder) and director David Maloney; "Genesis of a Classic," a 62-minute featurette looking at the making of the story, produced by Ian Levine and edited by Adi Denney, and featuring interviews with Baker, Sladen, Miles, producer Philip Hinchcliffe, executive producer Barry Letts, script editor Terrance Dicks, actors Guy Siner, James Garbutt, Dennis Chinnery, Roy Skelton, Cy Town, John Scott Martin and Michael Wisher, BBC sound person Dick Mills, lighting director Duncan Brown, visual effects designer Peter Day and makeup artist Sylvia James; "The Dalek Tapes," a 53-minute documentary produced by John Kelly, "which looks at the history of the Daleks and covers all of their appearances in the classic series" and includes rare Dalek clips and classic interviews and is narrated by Terry Molloy; a 7-minute featurette about Doctor Who models; a 6-minute continuity compilation which includes voice-overs; production text and photo gallery. Also included are PDF versions of the 1976 Doctor Who Annual and the Radio Times billings for the original transmission.

Inferno will feature commentary by Nicholas Courtney, John Levene, script editor Terrance Dicks and producer/director Barry Letts; "Can You Hear the Earth Scream?," a 35-minute "making of" documentary which includes interviews with Dicks, Letts, Levene, Courtney, Caroline John, Ian Fairbairn and stunt arranger Derek Ware; "The UNIT Family (Part One)", a 36-minute documentary featuring a look at the first half of the "UNIT family" from the Third Doctor's era with interviews with Letts, Courtney, Levene, Dicks, John, Ware and UNIT Creator Derrick Sherwin; "Visual Effects Promo Film," an excerpt from an early sales pitch from the BBC Visual Effects department featuring rare Doctor Who footage; "The Pertwee Years Intro," a short intro by Jon Pertwee originally included on BBC Video's "The Pertwee Years"; a Jon Pertwee radio announcement; a PDF of the 1971 Doctor Who Annual; Radio Times billings; plus photo gallery and production notes.

Articles on the restoration work are now available at the Restoration Team site on both Genesis of the Daleks andInferno.

Catching up while the editor's been away for a few days...

Awards

BroadcastNow says that Doctor Who "has picked up a nomination for best drama series at the Celtic Film and Television Festival awards. It is one of 26 nominations garnered by Welsh companies for this year's awards, in which 50 indies have been recognised in 17 categories. Ireland leads the way with 30 nominations, followed by Scotland on 27 while Cornwall scooped 10 and Brittany with two. Doctor Who will square up against another Welsh series, Con Passionate, made by Teledu Apollo, and Irish show Pure Mule from Accomplice Television. Other nominees include critically acclaimed documentary series Tribe (BBC Wales), Rick Stein's The Teaching Challenge (Brook Lapping) and new documentary Iran: An Bealach In Airde (Crossing The Line Films). ... Recognising the development of the sector, the new media awards will be decided on by a specially selected jury of industry experts. Winners will be announced at the festival in Cornwall at the end of March."

Series Two

As originally reported online in the Outpost Gallifrey Forum, Maureen Lipman will be in episode 7, "The Idiot's Lantern." Lipman has been featured in many television series and films including "Coronation Street," "The Pianist," "Love's Labour Lost," "Carry On Columbus" and "European Vacation". Says the original poster, "I know she's in the ep, and I know she's filming her scenes at Alexandra Palace in North London (where original BBC transmissions used to be broadcast from in the 1950's) but it's my speculation that she plays the evil lady continuity announcer in the episode."

Elisabeth Sladen talked briefly about her return to Doctor Who in February's Collector's Gazette, after appearing at the Scifishack stand at Birmingham NEC's Memorabilia show in November. "Having just finished filming, she chatted about her latest trip back to see the Time Lord: 'It was lovely going back - there were so many flowers in my dressing room, I thought I'd died!' she laughed. 'And the atmosphere on set was uncannily familiar. It was fine working with a different Doctor. Once you call someone the Doctor, you actually believe it is the Doctor. I'd already seen him change incarnations before so this was no great leap of the imagination. I think it's wonderful to allow a character from the past to come back. I'm hoping that the newer viewers who don't know me will understand, and I hope the fans like it. It's certainly an experience I would not have missed.'"

Yesterday's South Wales Evening Post talks about two child actors, brother and sister Amy and Christopher Jenkins of Rhos, who "have chalked up an impressive acting CV despite being aged just 11 and eight respectively. Ystalyfera pupil Christopher has landed a part in the next series of the BBC's Dr Who, and is already a regular on S4C's Pobol y Cwm, where he plays Aled."

BBC News says that the staff of a South Wales brewery "had to make sure they had not been transported to another dimension when the cast of Doctor Who turned up for filming. Billie Piper, who plays the Doctor's assistant Rose Tyler, 50 extras and the film crew spent the day at Magor Brewery, near Newport, to shoot scenes. The production of thousands of bottles of lager was halted while filming took place in two areas of the site. Brewery bosses said they were asked to help when another location cancelled. And with its stainless steel brewing equipment, it became the perfect setting for the sci-fi series. David Ginley, the site manager for the brewer said: 'We received a call from BBC Wales and were pleased to help them out. The brewery itself is a modern brewery with lots of tanks and pipework so became the perfect setting for an industrial landscape which is what they wanted. Everybody was so excited about it - Doctor Who is so high profile and everyone was really excited and interested to see how something like that is made.' Mr Ginley said that although he didn't know what part of the storyline was being filmed at the site, he did see a number of Doctor Who's enemies. 'There were aliens and things. I didn't see any daleks though, but you never know, do you?' Staff at the site were able to meet actress Billie Piper, but there was no sign of the Doctor himself. Mr Ginley said: 'We didn't get to see David Tennant but it was an exciting day for everybody at the brewery and we are all looking forward to watching the scenes in the finished programmes.'"

The Inquirer said that "A group of Cardiff drinkers in the The Gatekeeper pub were nearly put off their pints when a troop of Cybermen wandered past their window. According to the South Wales Echo, the outside of the pub was the scene for an invasion of robo-warriors yesterday. Cybermen are the arch-enemas in the UK’s favourite sci-fi telly show Dr Who. Since the show is being filmed by BBC Wales, it has made Cardiff the new Area 51 for alien attacks. The drinkers at the Gatekeeper probably thought they were due for another one. Cybermen, when I was seven, gave me bad dreams for weeks, but seem to have gone through a bit of an upgrade lately. Gone are the clunky silver suits which have been replaced by a smoother silver iPod finish. Hopefully they have removed that nasty flaw in their breathing gear which makes them short circuit if they sniff gold."

People

Artist Andrew Skilleter will be releasing a "limited Artists Edition" of his original MythMakers DVD item from Reeltime Pictures. The video interview re-release will sport a new cover and will feature a stylish eight page full colour illustrated booklet on quality paper containing new text, photographs and artwork, including background on the filming and Andrew’s twenty year involvement with the legendary Terrance Dicks. Also included is the very first reproduction anywhere of a new painting for "Shada", the creation of which is shown in the DVD. Each booklet and DVD disc are signed by Andrew Skilleter and are available directly from the author through email contacthere.

Tom Baker is listed to appear on "Des and Mel" on ITV1, February 1 (1.30-2.30pm according to DigiGuide).

Caroline John (Liz Shaw from Season 7 of the classic show) is appearing in a new play, "Nightingale" at the New End Theatre in Hampstead, a play written and directed by actress Lynn Redgrave. The official theatrewebsite has information about the play, whereas the Guardian has a modest review.

BBC News are running a story about a missing BBC Wales designer who worked on their interactive projects, including last month's "Attack of the Graske". "A memorial service is being planned for a BBC Wales employee presumed to have drowned while swimming in the sea off Colombia early on Boxing Day. Steve Absolum, 32, went missing near Santa Marta on the Caribbean coast and no trace of him was found after an extensive air-sea search. He had been an interactive designer for BBC Wales' New Media output since 2002. Among his achievements was running the interactive content for the tsunami relief concert in Cardiff last January. .. BBC Wales controller Menna Richards said: 'He was central to the development of interactive programmes, including Scrum V, BBC Cardiff Singer of the World, the tsunami relief Cardiff concert and the recent Doctor Who.'"

The Times celebrated Tom Baker's birthday with the following: "The actor Tom Baker is enjoying a comeback in the cult TV comedy Little Britain, now in its third TV series. His is the booming voice of the narrator, never seen, who makes outrageous comments about the imaginary characters of Britain. He was the fourth and longest serving Doctor Who for seven years from 1974 and he still travels the world speaking at conferences and answering interminable questions from fans via the net. He recounts numerous episodes of his riotous personal life in his autobiography Who On Earth Is Tom Baker? and reflects on the problems of getting older, 'I feel I am starting to look less and less like Tom Baker. People used to mistake me for Shirley Williams, but now they just seem to mistake me for my Great Aunt Molly.' He spends much of his time at his home in France and tries to avoid meeting other actors. He says: 'They seem to be a bit like me in that they are not really certain who they are.' Tom Baker is 71 today."

David Tennant is listed as appearing on the series "Posh Nosh" on 3 February from 9.50 to 10pm on BBC2: "Comfort Food. Spoof cookery series featuring a pretentious rich couple. Simon and Minty demonstrate how toad-in-the-hole can get you through the death of a close personal friend. Starring: Arabella Weir, Richard E. Grant, David Tennant."

The Daily Record said of Saturday's "The Romantics" with David Tennant, "He's flying the flag for Scotland on a national, and inter-galactic, stage as the new Doctor Who. But here's a chance to see Scots heart-throb David Tennant doing something a little less mainstream - yet still travelling through time. After shooting to fame in Russell T Davies' adaptation of loose-loined Casanova last year, Tennant plays French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau - a man whose musings are attributable to the explosion of romantic poetry in the 18th century from literary luminaries such as Keats, Wordsworth and Byron. Sliding through time from Paris in the 1700s to contemporary France, Tennant's philosopher sees the impact his musings had both in his day and in ours. ..."

Leonard Lewis has died; according to "Stage And TV Today" and the Internet Movie Database, the prolific TV producer died on 2 December. His sole Doctor Who credit was overseeing the Eastenders scenes on "Doctor Who: Dimensions In Time", the Children In Need 1993 charity special. His other TV credits include When The Boat Comes In and Flambards.

Colin Baker writes for the Bucks Free Press, "If you had told me a couple of years ago that the flagship programme on Christmas Day might one day be Dr Who, I would have suggested that you seek specialist medical help immediately. But building on the excellent series transmitted last year, the special festive episode introducing David Tennant as Doctor number ten was the undoubted success amongst what was a predominantly lacklustre batch of offerings this holiday. In fact, it was the only programme that tempted the Baker family away from the delights of enjoying each others' company. Once again that genius Russell T Davies has produced not only a great script and a great new Doctor, but just when you thought the story was over and the world saved, there was a judiciously crafted hefty sideswipe against those most un-Christmasey characteristics greed, selfishness and political expedience, that so depressingly regularly nudge humanity and honour out into second place. A contemporary message every bit as powerful as that in Dickens's Christmas Carol. To offer the viewers whirling dervish Christmas Trees and homicidal Santas without losing credibility is quite an achievement. And I am glad to be able to confirm what I already knew that David Tennant would be an worthy recipient of the Tardis baton."

Official Sites

The official Doctor Who website has updated the January/February calendar on its News page and is listing a repeat showing of 'The Parting of the Ways' for 5.35pm on Sunday 5 February on UK Gold. They also note that the commentary track for "The Christmas Invasion" was "the most popular MP3 downloaded from bbc.co.uk over Christmas. 64,000 of you listened to the running commentary by Russell T Davies, Julie Gardner and Phil Collinson between Christmas Day and New Year's Eve, making it even more popular than Radio 1's Best of Moyles podcast that week. The free MP3 track is still available on the site, and, thanks to the nifty work of a fan, appears to be listed in the iTunes podcast directory thing. Er, thank you, mysterious stranger. And thanks to everyone who made the Commentary so successful."

The new series will have a new spinoff website come transmission time; the BBC has registered domain names cybusindustries.com, cybusindustries.net and cybusindustries.co.uk, which presumably will be tie-in websites for when "Rise of the Cybermen" and its second half air in the UK. A Cybus Corporation fan site has been extremely popular for several months, though is unrelated to the show's production.

Broadcasting

Doctor Who was mentioned in the "Ask Matt Roush" column of the US' TV Guide magazine yesterday. "Question: Now that the Sci Fi Channel is going to air the new Doctor Who series from the BBC in March, what do you think of the show, and will it make a mark here in the U.S. with sci-fi and genre fans, now that Enterprise is gone and Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel/Firefly are also gone? -- Brian B. Matt Roush: I'll be honest. I'm far from a Doctor Who expert or even a fan. The few times I ever tried watching the earlier incarnations of the show on PBS or wherever, I was underwhelmed. But I doubt I gave it much of a chance. Now that I'm more invested in the genre, especially since Farscape rekindled my passion for space fantasy and Battlestar Galactica confirmed it, I'll approach this series with an open mind. It certainly seems to be arriving with a fair amount of buzz and hype, so I can't imagine why this wouldn't work to Sci Fi's advantage."

According to a report at BBC News, the BBC's Director-General Mark Thompson has mentioned "Doctor Who" as an example of their output during a defence of the past year's £36 million expenses bill. "Programme-making accounts for the overwhelming majority of hotel and travel costs in an organisation such as the BBC with output as diverse as Doctor Who, which is made in Cardiff and on location, and news coverage of events such as Hurricane Katrina."

One of our readers sent e-mail to the CBC's programming department asking when season two of the new series would be aired in Canada and was told, "Unfortunately we don't have a scheduled start date for the upcoming Doctor Who season at this time. If you stay tuned to CBC Television there will be promotional advertisements for the new season when that date is set."

Miscellaneous

EntertainmentWise says that "Sci-fi fans are dribbling at the prospect of owning the definitive Dr Who toy -- a brand new full-size Dalek replica. There has been a stampede to reserve the official BBC models -- which scoot about on wheels and have been crafted using moulds from a real Dalek used used in the latest series of the show starring Billie Piper and David Tenant. The 5'5" models will not be ready until April -- but the toy-makers have already seen a huge demand for the replicas and have been flooded with £500 deposits. There will also be the option of a model which screams Exterminate! and has working lights." icWales also mentions it and theDaily Star says that "Billie Piper has an amazing sci-fi secret - she sleeps with a Dalek. She has snapped up the ultimate big boy's toy for her bedroom."

The South Wales Evening Post said about the Series One Boxed Set on Friday that "As with most things in life, us DVD reviewers have to take the rough with the smooth. Fans of the 2005 revival of Doctor Who could watch and re-watch their hero's exploits when the series was released in four volumes. But those in the know waited for the full bells and whistles set to come out towards the end of the Doctor's triumphant comeback year. It duly appeared, and it was definitely worth the wait - a plush, Tardis-shaped package with all 13 episodes and a great deal more on top. Which is what I meant about taking the rough with the smooth. I was sent the discs, but sadly not the fancy packaging. That was the rough. The smooth side was that I got them for free when the full set would have set me back anything up to 69.99. Having said that, most shops were selling them for a good deal less. So what do you get for your money? Obviously, all the episodes, with crystal clear pictures and 5.1 surround sound, with commentaries absent from the earlier releases. Some are more entertaining than others, with Russell T Davies an absolute scream whenever he features. Then there are documentaries and making-of features galore, video contributions from co-star Billy Piper, writer Mark Gattiss and Davies himself, plus a sneak preview of the next series - bearing in mind this came out before the Christmas special that introduced us to new Doc David Tennant. Anyone who already owns the earlier releases will find the extras an expensive luxury. But those who waited for the box set will find it a worthwhile investment." They also noted about the release of "City of Death" that "Baker is as entertaining as always and the budget even stretched to location shooting in Paris, adding a rare sheen to the show. The effects aren't bad for their time, either, given the shoestring figure they were produced with. A solid package of extras, including a PDF version of the 1980 Doctor Who annual, complete this latest addition to Who's DVD back catalogue."

The Financial Times notes that "For one delicious moment during the recent Doctor Who holiday special, I actually thought the new Time Lord on the block was going to emerge as a kind of Austin Powers-meets-Pete Doherty Doctor. As readers from six to 60 know, the Doc periodically regenerates and literally inherits a new look, and on Christmas Day we were treated to a deconstruction of the conceit as Christopher Eccleston was reborn as David Tennant (of TV Casanova fame). The new hero was shown rifling through a rack of clothes, consciously deciding what kind of profile he wished to present to the world. This is when the promise of a 1960s-style rocking Doctor was tantalisingly hinted at. Tennant fingered a regimental military Sergeant Pepper-style jacket, as worn by Doherty in the Libertines, and by Mick Jagger and the Fab Four before him. I reckon he'd have looked great in it, possessed as he is of a cheeky McCartneyesque physiognomy and mod-style fringe. But no, the BBC wardrobe department bottled it. The regimental number was put back and, instead, the Doc alighted on what looked like a pinstripe suit in a dark brown/aubergine colour with a natty purple stripe, well co-ordinating shirt and tie, and a big fawn duster coat. When he'd put it all together he looked like a Prada catwalk model, decidedly more Euro traveller than time traveller." Read the full article at the website.

Times Online, ikn a story about motherhood, notes that "Motherhood is like a benevolent, society-sustaining form of multiple-personality disorder. Well, being a woman is like a benevolent, society-sustaining form of multiple-personality disorder, but motherhood is where it reaches its apogee. I’m sure there can’t be many mothers who didn’t watch the last series of Doctor Who without a few nods of recognition — specifically the episode in which the Doctor discovered the Emperor Dalek, who was controlling the minds of the six million smaller Daleks scattered across the universe. Additionally, of course, the Emperor Dalek is much wider at the bottom than the top, rather cranky, and has a limited ability to get up stairs — although it was unlikely, in his case, to have been caused by an extra two stones and a compromised pelvic floor."

Yesterday's Frankston Standard/Hastings Leader asks, "Who else would land a bright blue TARDIS in a Frankson eye clinic's car park when nobody was looking and then just as quickly take off to some other dimension with it? Photos of a mysterious object and a note apparently from the doctor left at the clinic have had staff scratching their heads all week. The large blue "police" box, which certainly looks like Dr Who's famous TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimensions In Space vehicle), were found under the door of the Cranbourne Rd clinic last Tuesday. A letter accompanying the photos read: "I hope you don't mind, but I parked my TARDIS in your car park over the weekend to refuel. I programmed my time computer especially so as to arrive on a Sunday, in order that I not cause any disruption to your workday routine. All the best for the coming year (it's a good one, by the way)." It was simply signed The Doctor. Ophthalmologist Dr Stephen Bambery has no doubt the letter was from Dr Who. "We have all been trying to think if it was anyone we knew playing a joke on us. The staff would like to know who it was, but I'd still like to believe it was really Dr Who. Whoever was behind it has gone to an amazing effort."

Other items: Digital Spy ran an article about a "close friendship" between David Tennant and Billie Piper during the filming of the new series... of course, it's the exact same story that ran eighteen months ago in various papers, with the name 'Eccleston' in place of 'Tennant'; TV Shows on DVDconfirmed the delay of the Canadian DVD release of the Series One Boxed Set; Hecklerspray has a brief article about the contestants from "Dancing on Ice" including John Barrowman.

(Thanks to Paul Engelberg, Steve Tribe, Peter Weaver, Paul Hayes, Nick Campbell, "Alex" in Canada, Neil Marsh, Faiz Rehman, Darren Pickles, Karen Baldwin, Neil Chester, Wayne Barry and Anthony Dry at Kasterborous)

Special Events

icWales asks, "Have you ever dreamed of seeing the Time Lord himself in action? Or ever wondered about the secrets of the Tardis? Well, you won't want to miss this. In Fusion Restaurant is hosting a charity auction in aid of children's charity ChildLine Cymru/Wales on Thursday and the star item is the chance to spend a day with the cast and crew on the set of Dr Who. There are more exclusive items up for grabs, including a football signed by the Welsh team, a personal shopping experience, team paint balling, tickets to Castle Combe Race Circuit and much more. Former Olympic athlete Jamie Baulch, ITV's Justina Simpson and Welsh band DV8 will also be at the auction. Tickets cost 18 and include a reception drink, gourmet oriental buffet and a free goody bag. For more information and to book your tickets, contact Catherine Davies on 029 2048 8118."

NewsWales on the weekend said that, in the first eight days of the free Dr Who exhibition at the Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay, more than 30,000 visitors passed through the doors to enjoy the event and that the number is expected to exceed 50,000 people by the weekend. "From today the exhibition will have a host of brand new exhibits never seen before - which have been brought in as part of a major refit. These include the evil Santas and killer Christmas Tree from the Christmas Day special, the Emperor Dalek and the actual costumes worn by Christopher Ecclestone and Billie Piper from the first series. Also on display will be an Auton guard from the first episode “Rose”; props, prosthetics and costumes of Moxx of Balhoon and Cal Sparkplug from episode two; Slitheen and Space Pig from episodes four and five and Trine-e and Zu-zana from episode 12. Doctor Who Up Close celebrates the success of the series which is filmed in Cardiff, with an exclusive look behind-the-scenes. There are explanatory graphics highlighting Doctor Who’s production involvement in and around Cardiff, together with comments from the production crew and location photographs. Clare Hudson, Head of Programmes (English) at BBC Wales, said: 'I'm delighted the Doctor Who Up Close exhibition is proving such a great success. It’s a fantastic opportunity for people to take a look behind the scenes and I hope that many more people get the chance to go along and be part of the Doctor Who experience.'"

Broadcasting

Episode 1 of the new series, "Rose," will be broadcast this Friday in Israelon the Yes Weekend Network. The times of airing are 19.13 and 22.56 on Friday, with repeats on Saturday at 14.46, next Wednesday at 21.30 and Thursday at 01.15, according to the online TV guide of the Haaretz newspaper. Yes Weekend is a subscription satellite service and so not everyone in Israel will be able to see it, says our correspondent. Also, BBC Prime is supposed to be showing it at some time in the future, and that is available on both Yes and another satellite service, HOT.

According to an article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about the long-running PBS series "Masterpiece Theatre," David Tennant's recent production of Casanova written by Russell T Davies will air on the series this season. "Masterpiece Theatre," a public broadcasting mainstay in America for 35 years, is the broadcast venue for many popular BBC productions; besides "Casanova," the series will air the recent production of Charles Dickens' "Bleak House," the final installment of "Prime Suspect" and adaptations of "Jane Eyre" and "Sense and Sensibility".

Merchandise

The BBC press release about Doctor Who Adventures, the new bi-weekly children's magazine due out this year, noes that "the publication will launch to coincide with the second series in the Spring and will enable enthusiasts to further enhance their enjoyment of the world's most famous Time Lord and his journeys. Priced at 1.99, Doctor Who Adventures will be filled with authentic content. It will include original comic strips featuring the tenth Doctor and Rose, interviews, competitions and puzzles plus all the essential information about the Doctor, his companions and his enemies. There will also be behind-the-scenes photographs and information from the series. Toni Round, Publisher of BBC Youth & Children's Magazines commented: 'We are proud to be producing this magazine for such an iconic programme. The abundance of material will enable us to give young fans a literary extension of the programme, providing them with fresh and exciting content. We will immerse the reader in the world of Doctor Who, taking them on a big adventure into time and space. Doctor Who Adventures will be packed with monsters and secrets, full of entertainment, action and humour - the must-have magazine for young fans.' Each magazine will be covermounted with a high quality, collectable gift."

The official website notes that the first three Tenth Doctor novels -- "The Stone Rose" by Jacqueline Rayner, "The Feast of the Drowned" by Stephen Cole and "The Resurrection Casket" by Justin Richards -- will be due out in the US and Canada at the same time as in the UK, in April. It also notes the simultaneous May publication of "I Am A Dalek" by Gareth Roberts and "Aliens and Enemies" by Justin Richards. All of these items are noted on ourReleases Guide.

SciFi Wire is reporting that "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" will be released on March 7th on DVD (single and 2-disc versions) and UMD for the Sony PSP. The movie will also form part of a Harry Potter Special Edition 4-pack. The movie features David Tennant as the villainous Barty Crouch Jr., and in a twist of irony, series two guest star Roger Lloyd Pack (John Lumic in the Cybermen two-parter starting with "Rise of the Cybermen") as his father, Barty Crouch Sr.

Series Two

icWales talks about the production team's rumored return to theMillennium Stadium, where "Dalek" was filmed last year. "Wales could have a surprise substitution to call on the next time they play at the Millennium Stadium...Doctor Who! The Timelord is being lined up to land his Tardis inside Wales' sporting mecca - and use the same changing rooms as our football and rugby teams. The Doctor has battled baddies all over Wales but the threat of new foes comes with every episode. So BBC Wales producers were at the stadium in Cardiff this week, checking it out for future inter-galactic battles. 'There were members of the production team taking pictures and having a look around,' said an onlooker. 'They were hoping to film at the stadium when there was a game on, they decided it was too much hassle and now they're just looking at using it. They wanted the Doctor to be running up and down stairs and filming in the BBC commentary box. They were wandering around the building, and even went into the away changing rooms to take pictures.' ... Tunnels in the venue have been used in previous episodes but this time the Doctor is likely to appear in more recognisable parts, making the stadium the latest in a long line of Welsh landmarks on Swansea scriptwriter Russell T Davies' smash hit revival of the telly favourite. But last night the BBC were remaining typically tightlipped about the Doctor's future exploits. 'We used the stadium in series one when we shot in the tunnels. This week the crew were out looking at locations to use. They aren't saying what part of the stadium they were having a look at or why,' a spokesman said."

The TV biz section of Saturday's The Sun claimed a picture exclusive from Rise of the Cybermen (from the same batch of filming as our recent exclusive photos). Headlined "Cyber binmen", it shows a large colour shot of two of the monsters from behind and approaching two large wheeled waste bins. "They've bin away far too long - but now the Cybermen are back in Doctor Who! Our exclusive picture shows the sinister silver robots (sic) coming face to face with a couple of wheelie bins. In the first episode of the last series, Rose's boyfriend Mickey was EATEN by a dustbin. The new Doctor, played by David Tennant, will hope the evil Cybermen share the same fate. The Rise Of the Cybermen, which goes out in the spring, will see former EastEnder Tracy-Ann Oberman - who played evil Chrissy Watts in the soap - portray another baddie." The Sun article also mentions the oft-repeated rumors that the Daleks will appear in the series, although there's been no word from any official source about that.

People

Yesterday's Daily Star says that Billie Piper is "the ultimate comeback kid. Just three years ago, beautiful Billie was more likely to be found propping up the bar of her local pub with husband Chris Evans than in a TV studio. But today entertainment bosses are fighting over the gorgeous blonde thanks to her outstanding performance as Dr Who's sexy sidekick Rose. And it seems the ambitious babe's going from strength to strength. After her stunning appearance in a BBC adaptation of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing and her role in Dr Who, the 23-year-old now has her own TV series. No wonder she can't stop smiling. ... Billie, voted most popular actress at the National Television Awards, has certainly moved on since she her early days which were often rocked by scandal. Aged just 17 she was forced to deny rumours of drug taking after she collapsed in a London bar. Then she and Evans -who she wed at 18 - hit the headlines when he was sacked after taking a week off work, claiming to be ill. Unfortunately for him, he was caught out when he was pictured boozing with Billie. It seemed the pair were rarely out of the pub and work didn't appear to be their highest priority. Although the couple are still firm friends - she recently described him as 'the most amazing person that I know' - the maturing actress's fame seems to be on its way to eclipsing that of the 39-year-old TV maverick. But maybe that's because Billie, who was also praised for her first acting role in The Miller's Tale in 2003, has finally found a career she loves

Over the weekend the Guardian noted David Tennant would be in a BBC4 drama about Lady Chatterley. "The BBC is reprising the Lady Chatterley trial, 45 years after the event, with a drama written by Andrew Davies. It will be shown in March on BBC4, and probably repeated on BBC2. ...My father, Richard Hoggart, was one of the witnesses in the real trial ... Dad is played by the wonderful David Tennant (Blackpool, Casanova) who has carefully prepared his appearance by watching old interviews, even studying newspaper pictures of the time and having a picture of Dad on his mobile phone. He's extremely convincing - the suit, the hair, the Yorkshire accent, and trickiest of all, the speech rhythms. The only thing wrong is his sideburns. To do this film he had to take 24 hours off from making Doctor Who in Cardiff and, as he explained, the sideburns wouldn't grow back in a day. There, I thought, was a kind of fame - to have researchers and costume directors pore over every detail of your appearance, then be seen in the witness box wearing Doctor Who's face furniture."

The weekend's Sunday Mail says that "Scots star John Barrowmanscored a double whammy when he starred in two prime-time TV shows at the same time. The Glasgow-born actor-singer was seen competing on ITV's new show, Dancing On Ice, which began last night. Barrowman teamed up with dancer Olga Sharutenko along with a host of other celebrities including fellow Scot and weather girl Andrea McLean, Andi Peters and Dame Kelly Holmes. But viewers would have been forgiven for thinking they were seeing double as John, 38, also appeared on new BBC series The Sound Of The Musicals at the same time."

EntertainmentWise notes that "Gay voters have ordained David Tennant as the ‘sexiest man in the universe’ - putting the quirky Dr Who actor before David Beckham, Michael Owen and Brad Pitt. Tennant was gob-smacked to receive the Pink Paper Awards accolade and commented: 'I’m surprised to be thought of like that. Casanova is the only role I’ve played where you had to look good. But that particular Casanova didn't have to be an Adonis. He was more of a cheeky chappie.'" Also reported at Spotlighting News, GayNZ,

Colin Baker spoke to the Daily Express, indicating that he's completely sold on the new series. "Hey amy be a former time traveller but one-time Dr Who Colin Baker does not dwell in the past. Baker, 62, who had the keys to the Tardis for two years from 1984, is full of praise for the show's latest incarnation and current Doctor David Tennant, right, and can't understand why people hark back to earlier shows. 'I have been astounded when diehard fans have expressed a preference for the old series, ' he says. 'It's hard to imagine how the series could be bettered.' Baker praises Tennant for 'a greater self-awareness, vulnerability and humour' than predecessor Christopher Eccleston and gushes, 'Tennant has been blessed with acting ability as well as compelling looks and innate charm.'"

The Scotsman notes that the Scottish Parliament has turned down an invitation to be the venue for the first National Theatre show in Scotland, in a play performed on February 25 with David Tennant in its cast.

Matthew Norman's Media Diary in yesterday's The Independent briefly notes Christopher Eccleston's play "The School of Night" being canceled, and asks, "Incidentally, if anyone was involved with The School of the Night, a play about Christopher Marlowe in which Christopher was due to star and which has been abruptly cancelled so close to opening night, please do get in touch." The weekend's Sunday Times says that "Eccleston was due to star next month in the Comedy theatre's revival of Peter Whelan's The School of Night. The play, first put on by the RSC in 1992, is about the Elizabethan playwright, poet and spy Christopher Marlowe. 'We couldn't make it happen in time,' said the producer, Mark Rubinstein." That's the first indication of a cause for the cancellation from the producers.

Outpost Gallifrey

Normally this wouldn't be cause for a separate subsection, but the Outpost Gallifrey website has been listed as "Site of the Week" at scifi.com, the official website of America's Sci-Fi Channel, the new series broadcaster. "Known as the most popular fan-created Doctor Who site on the Web, Outpost Gallifrey maintains its reputation through diligent tracking of any and every fact pertaining to the crusading Time Lord and his companions—novels, podcasts, music releases, conventions and all other fan activity. The site's detailed episode guide features full cast and crew credits, as well as fan reviews of each installment in the Doctor's long history. ... Now, with the reimagined series bringing new fans to the fold, Outpost Gallifrey allows those who are discovering the series for the first time to catch up on the Doctor's travels, companions and exploits, even as it whets everyone's appetite for still more adventures." The site was also namechecked in a UK play, the Unbroadcastable Radio Show in Manchester; says our correspondent, "the sketch was Davros (which Toby Hadoke does an excellent impression of) speaking like a normal person at a casting agency. The casting agency wanted Davros to sound like Davros though, so showed him a post on Outpost Gallifrey saying that Sylvester McCoy was an excellent Doctor. This so incensed Davros that he got very angry and started speaking like Davros again. It was done very well, and was very funny!" Unbroadcastable Radio is on 8PM every 3rd Sunday of the month at the Comedy Store, Deansgate Locks, Manchester, UK, and always features Davros.

Miscellaneous

The South Wales Echo notes that "A young fan was starstruck when he came face to face with his hero - and a few villains. Sam Hill, five, was with parents Andy and Melanie watching the new Dr Who series being filmed. And when there was a break in the action, which saw Cybermen marching up Womanby Street, he had the chance to meet new Doctor David Tennant. Mum-of-three Melanie, of Fleur-de-Lys, near Blackwood, said: 'We're all part of the Doctor Who Appreciation Society. Sam really wanted to go as he's a massive fan.' During a break in filming, one of their friends approached the new Doctor and told him about his young fan. Melanie, 33, said: 'He was such a lovely bloke and said it wasn't a problem. He picked Sam up and posed for a picture, asking if he'd seen the Christmas special. Sam was so thrilled and carried the picture around with him all day.' Sam, a pupil at Fleur-de-Lys Primary School, said: 'I like the picture of me with him. It was really exciting to meet him.'"

Other items: BBC News noted David Tennant on the TV chart as we reported last week; Daily Snack says that "'Billie Piper’s Hollywood ambitions received a major boost last night after Doctor Who was snapped up by American TV. The sexy 23-year-old has pledged to remain in her role as Who’s sidekick Rose Tyler for at least one more series"; today'sIndependent says that "it is a self-evident truth that Russell T Davies's Doctor Who is better now than it ever was in its so-called golden age"; yesterday's Guardian says that "The tweed suits, the scruffy trainers, the slightly dishevelled English gent look - sci fi never looked so good and it will inevitably affect the catwalk"; RTE says that "'Doctor Who' star John Barrowman has been installed as the bookmakers' favourite to win 'Dancing on Ice' after just one live performance; hot on his heels are actress Bonnie Langford and former 'Coronation Street' star Sean Wilson, who played Martin Platt in the soap.";

(Thanks to Paul Engelberg, Steve Tribe, Peter Weaver, Robert J.E. Simpson, John Bowman, Justine Metal, Daniel Baum)

Broadcasting

Doctor Who will be starting in Spain on the Digital Plus satellite platform from Thursday January 19. The series is being broadcast on the "People + Arts" channel (number 27 on the Digital Plus channel listing) which shows a range of BBC drama, comedy and entertainment shows. The first broadcasts are on Thursday 19th at 2230 spanish time (GMT+1) with a repeat at 0230 on the morning of the 20th; further showings will take place on Friday 20th at 0630 and 1500, with three more timeslots on Saturday 21st at 0600, 1400 and 2130. Although it's not clear if these are all repeats of the first episode this would be the usual pattern for the channel.

Radio Times

There's an assortment of items of interest to Doctor Who fans in the new edition of Radio Times (issue dated 14-20 January 2006), including how Russell T Davies came up with the Sycoraxic language. John Barrowman, aka Captain Jack, is granted a panel piece in a three-page feature about the ITV show Dancing On Ice, in which he is taking part. Headlined "Captain Jack of all trades", it looks at Broadway and West End productions he appeared in before Doctor Who, and mentions him co-hosting BBC1's The Sound of Musicals the same evening (Saturdays from 14 January). The article states, surprisingly, that Captain Jack is back in Doctor Who this year (which might simply be a misnomer) and will have his own show - Torchwood - which Barrowman denies will be an "X-rated Doctor Who". He says: "It's going to be Britain's answer to The X-Files, with the craft and the humour from This Life." In the Letters section, the Letter of the Week has an amusing suggestion as to what kind of man the new Doctor is, following on from the character's bid to find out in The Christmas Invasion: spending most of his time in bed; strange things issuing from his mouth when he opens it; spending the day wandering around in pyjamas after having a cup of tea - that makes him a teenager. It is illustrated with a Christmas Invasion publicity still of David Tennant and Billie Piper in costume in front of the Tardis with snow and Christmas tree.

On the next page, in the You Ask Us feature, a reader poses the questions was Sycoraxic based on a real language, was it backwards words, were there hidden messages, was it a real, functioning language such as Klingon, or were the actors making up gibberish? Russell T Davies, who scripted the Sycorax word for word, answers: "Sycoraxic was completely invented. I just made it up! But I did try to give it some logic, so that the same word always meant the same thing: 'Soo chack chiff!' means 'You're going to die!', which tends to get said a lot in Doctor Who. And I did try to parse the verbs, but it wasn't too rigorous - I don't think universities will be offering degrees in Sycoraxic any time soon!" It is accompanied by a picture of the Sycorax leader, with the caption VOICE OF DOOM "Soo chack chiff" yourself. In the One Final Question section at the back of the magazine, Patrick Stewart takes a swipe at journalists by denying that his new series Eleventh Hour is anything like an ITV version of "Doctor Who". Interviewer Benji Wilson asks him: "A newspaper journalist said it was like an ITV Doctor Who . . ." to which Stewart replies: "That couldn't be more wrong and only came about through some of your lazy colleagues seeing my name and the word 'science' in the same sentence, and the only thing they could think of was science-fiction. It has nothing to do with science-fiction and nothing to do with Doctor Who." He states there are no aliens, and that he plays a retired physicist working for the government as a scientific adviser out in the field. "My job is to investigate illegal, criminal, dangerous or bad science," he says.

On Music

The BBC Press Office has today released some details of the launch this afternoon of Blue Peter's 'Music Makers' competition, "a search to find 40 viewers passionate about music - to help make television history". The winners "will get the chance to work with top TV composer Murray Gold, of Doctor Who fame, and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra". More information is available at the Musicmakers website on BBC online, and the full press release can be read here, while Gold's interview on Blue Peter, in which he discussed both his new version of the theme and Delia Derbyshire's original, is currently available in full on the official Doctor Who website.

The official site also today has a brief interview with Murray Gold about the song used at the end of "The Christmas Invasion". "It's called 'Song for Ten' in honour of David Tennant being Doctor Ten," says Gold to the official site. "James Hawes mentioned in passing, while I was writing the score for TCI that he might need a song or two. I sang Jingle Bells and made my voice sound weird then performed the backing vocals on Song for Ten. I watched through the sequence lots of times and tried to find the sentiment that was true to the moment and express it lyrically. I wanted to hit that lovely moment when the Doctor and Rose smile at each other, and the lyric: 'You followed your star, cause that's what you are...' just leapt out. ... If you think it does have a Phil Spector way about it, I'm happy, because I adore him, and also the songs of Holland Dozier Holland who are the Lennon and McCartney of Motown. Phil Spector's often described as creating a 'Wall of Sound.' Big production, lots of timpani and strings and multi-tracked vocals. It's basically fantastic pop music. You just need lots of spare tracks." He notes that the song was sung by Tim Phillips, who he calls "a real upcoming talent. I wanted to nab him to sing a song in case next time he's too big. He's got an album out soon which he partly mixed in my studio. As I said, he and I performed backing vocals. I played the instruments. ... If there's ever an album of Doctor Who music from the series, I'm sure it would be on that."

Other Items

David Tennant was listed in third place in the February edition of the SCI-FI Channel's official magazine under "26 People to Watch in 2006" along with many other notable celebrities from television and film.

This Saturday's edition of The Guardian newspaper will be giving away a free DVD copy of "Let Him Have It", Christopher Eccleston's 1991 film debut in which he stars as Derek Bentley, the real-life story of how a 19 year-old was hanged for murdering a policeman who was shot by Bentley's friend when Bentley himself was already in police custody.

Also, MediaGuardian.co.uk's "Monkey" gossip column has another report about the "Doctor Who Adventures" magazine.

(Thanks to Steve Tribe, Paul Engelberg, John Bowman, Paul Hayes, Nigel Rainford, Frank Dana, Mike Mould and Brian Smith)

Editor's Note

To the readers of the News Page... sorry for the brief delay in getting the latest news update out; the editor's been working on a project (theGallifrey 2006 convention) that took up free time in the evenings. This catches us up with the press coverage from the past week.

On Television

CBBC Newsround online last Friday looked at this year's "rising stars", including David Tennant, noting without comment that the second series will be onscreen "from April"... "You might be aware of him from The Christmas Invasion episode of Doctor Who, and of course, as barking mad Barty Crouch Jr in the Goblet of Fire, But this man is going to be huge this year! Doctor Who is already one of the BBC's most popular programmes, and David Tennant will be on our screens every week from April as the 10th Time Lord. His performance on Christmas Day suggests he's going to be a quirky but loveable Doctor, and a HUGE heart-throb."

David Tennant will play philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau in BBC Two's serial "The Romantics" about English Romantic poets; it's written and presented by Peter Ackroyd and starts very soon, completing its run on 4 February.

John Barrowman was a guest on C4's Richard and Judy show on 9 January.

The official Doctor Who website has a short piece on Murray Gold, composer of the music for the current series. It says that "Doctor Who composer Murray Gold will feature in this Wednesday's edition of Blue Peter. Find out all about the man, his music, and now, his orchestra! Tune into Blue Peter this Wednesday from 5pm on BBC1." That's Wednesday 12 January.

People

Will Billie Piper quit Doctor Who for a new starring role? Lots of papers are asking that after reports indicate that Piper has assumed her first leading role: in an adaptation of Philip Pullman's Sally Lockhart stories. "But Billie's success will further fuel speculation that she is about to quit Doctor Who," says the Daily Express. "Billie will start work on the first Sally Lockhart story -- The Ruby In The Smoke -- in May. 'The Sally Lockhart episode is being shot in between season two and three of Doctor Who so it doesn't mean Billie couldn't shoot series three,' a BBC spokeswoman said. However, other television insiders said it was unlikely Billie would return. 'She has made a terrific impression in Doctor Who, and for a young relatively inexperienced actress to hold her own against Christopher Eccleston [in series one] was no mean feat,' said one experienced drama producer. 'She has been a major part of Doctor Who's success. But at the same time, now she has proved herself why would she want to get trapped in the part of Rose, when such other riches are on offer careerwise?'" A BBC press release includes comments from Laura Mackie, Head of BBC Drama Series and Serials, who says, "I am absolutely thrilled to have acquired the rights to Philip Pullman's Sally Lockhart Mysteries. Philip is without question one of Britain's leading novelists. His books are full of absorbing characters, engaging multi-layered plots that appeal to both adults and children alike. The adaptation of these novels furthers BBC ONE's commitment to offering more varied and ambitious drama for its audiences. Billie Piper is an extremely versatile actress whose talent has deservedly been recognised by critics and audiences alike. Following on from her success as the Doctor's fearless companion Rose Tyler in Doctor Who, and the endearing Hero in Much Ado About Nothing, Billie is the perfect choice for bringing to life this engaging and fearless heroine." Philip Pullman's "The Ruby In The Smoke," the first book in the quartet, charts the adventures of Sally, a feisty young Victorian heroine, who is on a journey to discover the truth behind her father's death, and unravel the mystery behind 'The Seven Blessings'. "Adapted by the highly-acclaimed writer Adrian Hodges (Rome, Charles II: The Power & The Passion, The Lost World), The Ruby In The Smoke is a gripping tale of mystery, danger, puzzling letters and a jewel soaked in blood. The film is set in the heart of Victorian London. ... The Ruby In The Smoke will start filming in May 2006, followed by the second novel, The Shadow In The North. The executive producers are Sally Woodward Gentle and Laura Mackie. The producer is Kate Bartlett. Director and further casting details to follow." Sky Showbizasks "Is Billie Bigger Than Chris?" referring to her husband Chris Evans, another popular headline about this story. Other news agencies reporting this include BBC News, The Sun, The Stage, The Scotsman,Media Guardian, Daily Record, Times Online, Ananova, Hello Magazine,SwindonWeb, icLiverpool, RTE,Daily Mail, the Irish Examiner, C21 Media, Daily Snack, CBBC and The Mirror.

Piper also guest hosted The Friday Night Project on 6 January. The event featured Q&A's for her from the audience, and there was a TARDIS present too -- out of which came characters from which Billie had to guess the year in which they were well-known. Said the Sun the day of transmission, "Billie Piper looks to have upset a Cyberman by laughing at him on C4's The Friday Night Project. Comics Justin Lee Collins and bespectacled Alan Carr join in tonight's giggle. The show sees joking Billie, 23, lead monsters on an ice rink conga." Digital Spy has a brief review.

Word out is that Christopher Eccleston's play "The School of Night" was canceled. Albemarle-London says it was scheduled to open 27 February but "has now been cancelled. The School of Night was due to star Christopher Eccleston as the playwright, poet and spy Christopher Marlowe. No reason for the cancellation, barely six weeks before it was due to start preview performances, has been given." The cancellation has also been noted at The Stage, Official London Theatre, What's On Stage,Broadway.com, Broadway World, Playbill, Brand Republic.

Fourth Doctor Tom Baker was voted fourth in a BBC poll of the world's most eccentric stars; singer Bjork came in first place. Reported at BBC News, The Daily Mail, The Scotsman, The Independent,BreakingNews.ie, Evening Echo, Irish Examiner, U.TV,Entertainment News Australia, Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand Herald.

The Eastern Courier Messenger in Australia ran a feature article aboutTristram Cary, one of the fathers of electronic music and one of the early greats in Doctor Who's musical history. "The 80-year-old Glen Osmond composer recently received a lifetime achievement award from the Adelaide Critics' Circle for his contribution to music in England and Australia. Over a 50-plus year career, he has composed scores for well-loved movies such as The Ladykillers, Hammer Studios horror flicks, Dr Who episodes and BBC Radio shows. 'I grew up in music, my mother sang for my father every night. People would come around to our house in Oxford and play and sing and I thought all homes were like this,' he said. 'When I went into the navy in 1943, suddenly there was not any music and I discovered that it was the most important thing to me.' A love of electronics led him into the navy's radar corps, where he began to hear whispers about a new way of recording music on tape. 'The only problem was that we could not get one of the new tapes because the Germans had it. He continued to dream of combining his electronics and music and after leaving the navy, music became his world. He went on to design the VCS3 Putney synthesiser and in 1967 he founded the electronic music studio at London's Royal College of Music. In the mid-'70s, he moved to Australia, where he continued to lecture and compose. Mr Cary is now dividing his time between composing, writing his autobiography and compiling an archive of his life's work." Cary's music for Doctor Who was featured two years ago on the BBC Music CD release "Devil's Planets: The Music of Tristram Cary."

Former companion Caroline John will be starring in a one woman show written by actress Lynn Redgrave, "Nightingale," which will have its world premiere this winter at the U.K.'s New End Theatre in Hampstead. The one-woman piece, starring John and directed by the author, is scheduled to run from January 17 through February 18. Inspired by memories of the playwright's maternal grandmother, Beatrice Kempson, mother of the late Rachel Kempson (also known as Lady Redgrave), Nightingale is the story of Mildred Asher (John) whose voice, like the song of the nightingale, can only be heard in the dark.

Australia's Gold Coast Bulletin said on 5 January that "Doctor Who star Katy Manning will come to Brisbane in the off-Broadway smash hit Me and Jezebel. HRH and I saw a one-off production of this show a couple of years ago at the StageDoor Dinner Theatre and loved it! Katy Manning plays in this one-woman show with authority and style, and it is directed by Aussie theatre legend Barry Crocker. Me and Jezebel is Elizabeth Fuller's true-life account of how Hollywood actor Bette Davis came to her home to stay for one night and ended staying for a month - turning her household upside down, teaching her child profanities and nearly wrecking her marriage. Again, it is playing at StageDoor Dinner Theatre, (underneath 12th Night Theatre) on Cintra Road, Bowen Hills. The season runs from February 3 to the end of March. This is very good stuff and performed beautifully. Catch dinner and show or show only at this intimate venue. It is recommended unconditionally. Book at the StageDoor DinnerTheatre box office, phone 3216 1115."

Rula Lenska, who guest-starred as Styles in the Peter Davison serial "Resurrection of the Daleks", is currently one of the housemates on this year's Celebrity Big Brother, currently being broadcast on Channel 4 in the UK.

Books

According to Amazon, the second Justin Richards-penned Monsters and Villains paperback, due to be published on 18 May, has now been retitledAliens and Enemies. The book has also gained a synopsis: "The Cybermen are back to terrorise time and space - but luckily the new Doctor, played by David Tennant, and Rose are back to stop them. Picking up where "Monsters and Villains" left off, this fully illustrated guide documents the return of these metal menaces, as well as the Sycorax and other foes from the new series, plus first series terrors like the Gelth and the Reapers. More classic baddies such as the Celestial Toymaker, Sutekh and the Robots of Death also make a welcome appearance."

Last week's edition of The Bookseller noted that Panini's Doctor Who Annual 2006 had "time-travelled back in the right direction" in the Top 20 Children's Books chart, rising from 15 to 13 with unit sales of 9,984 in the seven days to 24 December. The trade magazine also previews new books being published in April, spotlighting The Science of Doctor Who by Paul Parsons (Icon Books): "Here's How Who Does It. Account of the cutting-edge science, as well as the science fiction, behind Doctor Who, including why time travel isn't ruled out by the laws of physics, how genetic engineering is being used to breed Dalek-like lifeforms, and the medical truth about the Doctor's two hearts and the real creature that has five. Parsons is the editor of the BBC's monthly science and technology magazine, Focus, as well as a life-long worshipper of Doctor Who. There's also a foreword by Arthur C. Clarke."

Meanwhile, Kingsway Publications will soon release Behind the Sofa: A Closer Look at Dr Who by Anthony Thacker. "The Doctor Who series has taken the BBC by storm, with millions of viewers and multiple awards. This book discovers the spiritual themes behind the series, as well as facts about classic Doctor Who. It includes various discussion questions." The book is due out on March 1.

Miscellaneous

In the Australian Sun-Herald Magazine "Sunday Life" (dated 8 January 2006) Scott Ellis writes the following in reference to television worth watching in 2006: "Alien Invaders -- Invasion (Nine), Surface (Ten), Supernatural (Ten) and Doctor Who (ABC): Science fiction is back on the agenda with visitors from space, from under the waves and from inside our own memories. Best of the bunch, however, remains the Doctor, who returns with a new body (courtesy of Casanova star David Tennant)." There is also a small photo of David, Billie and the TARDIS taken from the launch of the new costume. Interesting, since as far as we know, the ABC has not yet confirmed that it is buying Series Two...

The Spectator, a right-wing periodical, has this to say about "The Christmas Invasion": "Russell T. Davies's Doctor Who special... had the new Doctor Who David Tennant showing worryingly peacenik tendencies. Just after the Doctor had persuaded an evil race called the Sycorax to bugger off in their gargantuan, rock-shaped spaceship and never trouble Earth again, the Prime Minister Harriet Jones, after brief consultation with Washington, sent up a huge rocket and blew them to smithereens. Our wussie new Doctor was outraged by this underhand behaviour, but it seems to me that the Prime Minister was only doing her job. What guarantee had these hissing, slimy, alien creatures provided that they would never try to conquer Earth again? None at all. I hope the nation's kiddies were sensible enough to see through Davies's dangerous pacifist propaganda."

The January 2006 edition of UK toy industry trade magazine Toy Newsfeatures Doctor Who as its cover story, with the new series logo adorning a publicity picture of ranks of new series Daleks with the Houses of Parliament in the far background, and the headline "We are the supreme beings"! Inside is a two-page Supplier Focus feature on Character Options, which has the licence for Doctor Who toys, looking at what sort of shape the City-listed company is in as the year starts. The main images, in colour, are of the David Tennant and Billie Piper action figures plus a Slitheen figure. Character Options has also made a name for itself with its Robo line (RoboSapien, RoboRaptor, RoboSapien V2, RoboPet) but the article, by Stuart Dinsey, points out this is "only one ingredient in the product mix". The article, interviewing marketing manager Jerry Healy, says "in-house development is at the heart of Character's long-term strategy, as this offers better margins and wider distribution potential. Examples of this are the popular Dr Who (sic) products introduced last year, with an expanded range and even better sales expected this year." No actual sales figures are given or predicted. The piece finishes by saying Healy expects that this year Character will "make headway in the boys' sectors thanks to a number of Superman products and Dr Who, which sees the addition of the Cybermen later this year". Also in the magazine, as part of the retail sales trends section, Dr Who (sic) is named best property progression for November 2005. Illustrated with a pic of the David Tennant action figure, it says: "Dr Who has been progressing well since the launch of the new series last autumn (sic). Whereas in October the property was still outside the top 100, November saw it climb the ladder considerably. So far, RC Dalek is the best selling item in the range." Character Options will have a stand at the 2006 Toy Fair, taking place at ExCel in London's Docklands from Wednesday 25 to Saturday 28 January. This is the UK toy market's annual showcase.

Brand Republic mentions the publication of the new "Doctor Who Adventures" periodical from BBC Magazines, while the BBC has now issued apress release about it.

The Sun ran a story on 9 January noting that "Barmy fans of Doctor Who want to hire a psychic to track down missing episodes of the hit show." Picking up on a small handful of tongue-in-cheek posts on the Outpost Gallifrey Foru, the Sun said that "More than 100 programs of the sci-fi classic are lost and now fans are turning to out of this world powers to locate them. Fan Brian Wilson said: 'If people can use psychics to reunite family with deceased loved ones then it is quite conceivable we can use a psychic to track down these missing episodes. These shows are important to the heritage of Dr Who.' Members of the world's largest Doctor Who forum, Gallifrey One, have banded together in their search. One desperate fan, Supervoc posted on the forum: 'I am on my knees in hope and desperation. I will be through the roof if even just one more story is found. We must live in hope!' Another Ian7 said: 'I am convinced there are countless missing episodes yet to be found. I know it is going to happen. I have complete and utter faith. I believe we should all have this faith. Think it. Feel it. Wish it. It is going to happen!' ... Wilson added: 'A lot of fans are extremely passionate about finding these episodes, it is a nostalgia thing.' The fans want to get Derek Acorah from Most Haunted to use his powers to help in the search. Acorah is rumoured to be making a guest appearance in an upcoming episode of the new series of Dr Who on the BBC in April." Of course, one should not expect hard hitting journalism from The Sun...

Unit News has a feature story on Lancasters Armourie, who constructed the Sycorax swords as featured in "The Christmas Invasion." Our main customers are full contact re-enactors and have only recently started selling them for TV production although they have been used on stage for a number of years," they tell the site. "We use Chrome Nickel Molybdenum steel (commonly known as tank armour) this is a very expensive steel but it does last and we have to buy it a tonne at a time. We also have our own recipe for tempering them which is what makes them that bit more special." Read the full article at the website.

Other stories: EDP24 discusses the launch of a line of celebrity bottles, with David Tennant mentioned as one of the backers; The Day mentions that there's no broadcast date but apparently DVDs will be in the US soon (now disproven); the Mirror ran an "exclusive" on 9 January about casting in the new series... exclusively ripped off from the pages of Doctor Who Magazine, that is; Now Playing Magazine has a "Christmas Invasion" review; The Scotsman reports that David Tennant may join the festivities for the 40th anniversary gala of the Royal Lyceum Theatre Company; theWanstead and Woodford Guardian discusses a home made TARDIS in Epping; theMirror notes that Peter Davison has "joined the great and good as one of 32,000 names in Who's Who".

(Thanks to Paul Engelberg, Steve Tribe, Peter Weaver, John Bowman, Paul Hayes, Dominic May, Griff Phillips, Kevin West, Darren Pickles, Adam Kirk, Murray Harper, Jonathan Hall, Mike Mould)

The past three days have seen a ton of news clips and articles about "The Christmas Invasion" and Doctor Who in general. Outpost Gallifrey cuts through the hodgepodge with this late-week report from the past three days:

The Christmas Invasion

David Tennant appeared yesterday on the BBC Radio 1 "Colin and Edith Show" as well as last night's "Friday Night with Jonathan Ross". On both, Tennant discussed the cutting of the line about the Doctor's accent and noted how relieved he was that everything would finally be starting up (referring to the transmission of his episodes, at least the first one!) He also noted that the production team returns on January 3 for filming, with work being done through April and then a break before series three begins filming in July. On Ross' show, he found out about the new Tenth Doctor action figure and clips were shown (see the story above with screengrabs!)

Meanwhile, you can listen again to the Colin and Edith Show at theirwebsite; click on the "listen again" feature.

Camille Coduri and Noel Clarke also appeared on television, appearing on Friday morning's GMTV in a brief interview; at right is an image of the two appearing on GMTV (thanks to Mark Naisbitt for the image!)

The Sun wonders if "Doctor Who may pull in as many viewers for BBC1 tomorrow as the Only Fools And Horses festive shows. Bosses hope 15million will tune in. A source said: 'With Kat and Alfie's departure from EastEnders and Doctor Who, we hope to have viewers hooked to BBC1 - harking back to when Only Fools was watched by the entire nation.'"

'The Christmas Invasion' took over the BBC TV homepage on Friday. The episode was also a major part of BBC News's round-up of festive TV highlights in an article entitled "Christmas TV reflects on its past": "David Tennant's arrival as Doctor Who is key to the BBC's schedule. By far the greatest example, and the show that only soaps will exceed in the ratings, is Doctor Who, due to be screened on Christmas Day. Four decades ago to the day, Doctor Who was in its heyday with everyone in every family watching what turned out to be a rather daft Christmas special with William Hartnell as the Doctor. Now the show is back better than ever. The new Christmas special may have moments of daftness but it also has a new Doctor in David Tennant. If it is not the best show of the season, many people will still watch just to see him."

The official Doctor Who website has posted the "Fear Forecast" edition -- the reviews of the story by four children, as done during the transmission of Series One.

Last Thursday's The Times noted that "Skybet have cut EastEnders to 2-5 (from 1-2) to be the most-watched television programme on Christmas Day. Doctor Who, another runner for the BBC stable, is quoted at 2-1, with Coronation Street being friendless at 4-1, having initially been offered at 11-8. The Queen's Speech is a 100-1 chance."

Several sources including the Scotsman and UTV note that "New Dr Who David Tennant will watch his timelord debut after tucking into Christmas dinner with his parents, if he can escape his busy schedule. The actor, who has already revealed he would like to do a second series, hopes to fly to Scotland to spend the day with his parents at their home in Paisley. He will appear on screen alongside Billie Piper in the first episode of the latest BBC series at 7pm. His former church minister father said the whole family will be tuning in after their turkey, hopefully with the 10th timelord himself. The Very Reverend Sandy McDonald, 67, told the Scottish Press Association: 'We will certainly be watching it and all being well David will be with us. But he's got a very busy schedule and there's still a question mark over whether he'll make it. We are looking forward to seeing the show, all our kids have grown up watching Dr Who.' Mr McDonald, a former moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said he and wife Helen will be joined by David's sister but his other son would be staying at his home south of the border."

There are several mentions of 'The Christmas Invasion' in The Guardian in the 'Guide' section today, and even a glowing write-up for the official website. As happened a couple of times during Series One, television previewer Charlie Brooker has praised the Christmas special as "the greatest Christmas episode of any programme ever". Says Brooker's column: "Tradition. That's what you associate with Christmas: tradition. And drink-driving. And despair and loneliness. And Argos. But mainly tradition. All of which is bloody fortunate, because this year's Christmas TV is more traditional than it's been for years - yet it's also somehow futuristic at the same time. Watching the box this year is going to feel like travelling simultaneously backwards and forwards in time. Thank God you'll be drunk through most of it - it'd be far too disorientating otherwise. ... Perhaps the best thing about Christmas TV is the fact that it signals a brief respite from the usual year-long arseburst of poxy bloody reality shows and poxy bloody makeover specials and poxy bloody sneering bloody awful bloody rubbish, all of which gets temporarily stifled in favour of old-fashioned traditional storytelling (OK, perhaps not always "old-fashioned": this year, ITV's key offering is Whatever Love Means (Wed, 9pm, ITV1), a dramatised retelling of the romance between Charles and Camilla - which at a push might be of interest to 10 or 12 people). ... Anyway, this new version's [of My Family and Other Animals] really rather good, in a cosy, watching-from-your-armchair kind of way, which is just what you want at Christmas. Yet it shrivels into insignificance alongside the most wildly anticipated show of the season - the Doctor Who Christmas Special, or The Christmas Invasions (tomorrow, 7pm, BBC1) to give it its proper title. "Wildly anticipated" because a) Doctor Who was the best show of 2005 by about 16 billion parsecs and b) it's our first proper chance to see David Tennant in action. Thank God, then, that this doesn't disappoint in the slightest. In fact, it's possibly the greatest Christmas episode of any programme ever. Having been set an insanely tough act to follow by Christopher Eccleston, and despite being bed-ridden and unconscious for half the episode's running time, the moment David Tennant finally springs into action, he immediately and effortlessly makes the character of the Doctor his own. If anything, he's even better than Eccleston was - which ought to be impossible. The episode - the storyline of which I won't give away - treads a fine line between "carefree romp" and "apocalyptic horror" without putting a foot wrong, contains several sequences which appear to have been designed specifically to spook out the kiddies, and also takes the opportunity to hammer home an unsubtle-but-why-the-bloody-hell-shouldn't-it-be message about the futility of war and the arrogance of power. In other words, it even manages to contain a traditional Christmas moral without being corny or rubbish. At this rate, I hope and fully expect to see Russell T Davies immortalised on our national currency within my lifetime. Anyway, there's your Yuletide telly line-up - hope it chokes you. Oh, and merry Christmas." The note about the official site: "Among the highlights is a film of Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper's finest moments set - rather dramatically - to Run by Snow Patrol, sounds you can download onto your PC or phone; Simon Pegg's excellent Doctor Who Confidential series and The Last Dalek - a game where you take the role of the dastardly droids and attempt to kill helpless humans. It's like pushing a trolley with a wonky wheel around the supermarket, except with the occasional bloodless death."

Newsquest Media this weekend notes that "Doctor Who has saved the world from Daleks, Cyberman and all manner of unpleasant creatures. But can he help the BBC to achieve its usual Christmas Day ratings high? The Beeb has placed the regenerated Time Lord - now played by David Tennant - at the centre of its schedules in a special Christmas-themed episode. Then surrounded him with a line-up of popular comedies, family films and the usual traumatic festive episode of EastEnders. Many of the other channels appear to be on autopilot - all six episodes of the third Little Britain series being shown back-to-back on BBC3; E4 has five episodes of Friends, being repeated for the umpteenth time and Sky One offers six visits to The Simpsons. ... Let's look to the future now. Even before he became the tenth Doctor Who, David Tennant was having a pretty good year with starring roles in three TV series - He Knew He Was Right, Blackpool and Casanova. But landing the role of the Time Lord in the newly-revived BBC1 series has, as industry newspaper Broadcast put it, 'propelled Tennant into the big time'. His own take on transforming himself into one of the most youthful doctors to date is simple enough: 'It's been a lifelong dream to get my own Tardis.' The people at Broadcast have such faith in the 34-year-old actor's future that they made him number one in their Hot 100 Talent list, in front of the likes of Jamie Oliver, Catherine Tate, Bill Oddie and Geordie duo Ant and Dec. To those of us who remember him making an impact a decade ago in the BBC2 drama Takin' Over The Asylum, his rise to fame is less surprising. But making the leap from legendary lover in Casanova to monster-fighting time traveller in Doctor Who is a big one, even if writer-producer Russell T Davies is the link between them both." The article takes comments from several sources that Tennant has recently made to the press about joining Doctor Who, his costume and his wanting to stay on in the role.

The ic Network of websites are carrying a story about the debut: "It's the long awaited debut of the new Dr Who, David Tennant, on Christmas Day. He's set to take on a killer Christmas tree, spooky Santas and evil aliens. But a bigger challenge for Tennant will be how he measures up to the outgoing doctor, the popular Christopher Eccleston. As he becomes the 10th Time Lord, David says: 'It's very easy to feel the weight of history pressing down. Getting over that and getting on with it is part of the trick of the whole gig, really. ... As an actor, you get to work on a blank canvas."

There's a brief mention of "Christmas Invasion" at GCN ("The Christmas Day highlight everyone should see is Doctor Who at 7pm on BBC 1. The pressure is on for David Tennent to be a standing successor to Christopher Eccleston and The Christmas Invasion should help to prove that while whetting the appetite for Season 2")

Yesterday's Daily Star featured some photographs as Russell T Davies described a sword fight between the Doctor and the leader of evil alien race the Sycorax as "the sci-fi show's most exciting fight scene ever. ... There's a real shocker for fans when the Doctor apparently suffers an horrific injury during the gripping battle - as writers pay tribute to the Star Wars films."

The South Wales Echo said that "Timelord fans are being invited to see behind the scenes of the Doctor Who series, including a glimpse inside his famous Tardis. At an exclusive preview yesterday, a small group of fans viewed the props and scenery at the exhibition. Adam Jenkins, nine, of Canton, Cardiff, who won a place at the event by entering a competition in the Echo, said: 'It's good. You recognise everything from the television and it is really cool.' Jessey Sanders, nine, of Llanrumney, Cardiff, who was with brother Zarren, 10, said: 'I liked the Daleks the best.' Zara May, 10, of Tremorfa, Cardiff, said: 'Rose is my favourite. She is very brave.'"

The Forester pointed out that "Clearwell Caves will feature in the Doctor Who Christmas Day special."

Broadcasting

From our friends at 'This Week in Doctor Who': "Add Israel to the countries where the new Doctor Who will be shown. The satellite channel "Yes Weekend" has reportedly bought the Christopher Eccleston episodes, which will air Fridays starting 20 January 2006. Exact time, number of episodes per week, and number of broadcasts of each episode are not yet known."

Exhibition Coverage

The new exhibition, Doctor Who Up Close, had its press launch on 21 December and opened to the public on 22 December at the Red Dragon Centre in Cardiff. It runs until 26 February, from 11am to 8pm each day, and admission is free. BBC News ("Doctor Who show opens in Cardiff") reported on the opening, noting that the show will include "elements of the Christmas special - including some of the new props and costumes after the show has aired on Christmas Day". The South Wales Echo ("Doctor Who fans in for a treat") concentrated on the small number of fans invited to the launch, particularly children ("I liked the Daleks best"). The opening is also reported in the Western Mail("Exhibition looks behind the scenes of Dr Who"). Rodney Berman, leader of Cardiff Council, told BBC News, "It is particularly fitting that this experience is being launched as Cardiff marks its golden jubilee as the capital of Wales. This is yet another reason for the city to celebrate by providing a first class destination for everyone to visit. As a big fan of Doctor Who myself, particularly the new version made right here in Cardiff, I'm looking forward to the opportunity to visit the new exhibition. It will be an exciting insight into the behind the scenes goings on of the series over the years."

On Wales

The Western Mail today noted that "The stunning success of Doctor Who means the series has become part of the tourist campaign for Wales. As well as being one of BBC Wales' biggest success stories and helping rejuvenate Saturday night television, Doctor Who has done far more than introduce a whole new generation of fans to the Time Lord. With many of the scenes filmed on location in Wales, the programme is giving the country a wealth of positive publicity. The first series, penned by Welsh writer Russell T Davies, was screened earlier this year. It attracted around 10m viewers an episode, which means a huge audience was introduced to Wales through the show. Tomorrow's Christmas special, in which David Tennant makes his debut as the new Doctor, is expected to be one of the biggest Christmas Day TV ratings-pullers. Among several Welsh locations viewers will see is Cardiff city centre. Billie Piper, who plays the Doctor's assistant Rose Tyler, is filmed running through the streets. And in the new series, to be broadcast next year, among the locations which will be beamed onto TV screens throughout the country are Newport's Tredegar House, Gower, and Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay. Bosses at Wales Tourist Board are delighted with the exposure the award-winning programme gives the country. They believe it can help attract additional visitors to the area as well as give those living in Wales a boost when they see familiar locations beamed onto their TV screens. And, perhaps even more importantly, filming in Wales gives the economy a boost. 'Having a highly popular TV series like Doctor Who shot on locations in Cardiff and other parts of South Wales helps viewers in Wales feel that they live in a modern and attractive part of the UK,' said a spokesman for the Wales Tourist Board. 'In addition, given that nine out of 10 visitors to Wales come from elsewhere in the UK, scenes of Cardiff and the surrounding area shown on Doctor Who could attract visitors and help Wales maintain its share of the tourism market. As far as the economy is concerned, when films and TV programmes are shot on location, the cast and crews spend money on local hotels and restaurants, giving the local economy a boost.'"

The Western Mail also notes that Wales' Talygarn Manor "is one of the Welsh venues where filming for Doctor Who has taken place. The former rehabilitation centre in the Vale of Glamorgan dates back to the 14th century and is a Grade II listed mansion. Its impressive hallways and library were used in the programme. And although David Tennant and Billie Piper were not a part of the shoot, Roger Lloyd-Pack, the actor famous for playing Trigger in the BBC's Only Fools And Horses, was involved. The building is currently being converted into a range of luxury homes, although some new residents have already moved in. Laura Marles, sales manager at Talygarn Manor, said the cast and crew spent a day at the venue. 'It was absolutely fantastic having them here,' she said. 'It gave us a little bit of an insight into how they make the show. Everyone I have spoken to thinks it's wonderful Doctor Who has been filming on location in Wales - I think it definitely raises our profile.'"

Year In Review

The MediaGuardian website has posted a review of the year in television, the radio and press. In the television review, written by their broadcasting editor Jason Deans, "Doctor Who" is listed as one of 2005's TV Treats. Deans writes: "Doctor Who - BBC1: Already much feted, and rightly so, for singlehandedly reviving the venerable tradition of early Saturday evening family drama. And getting a dalek up a flight of stairs." On the other hand, down in the "TV Turkeys of 2005" section of the same article, "Celebrity Wrestling" comes in for yet more flack: "Celebrity Wrestling - ITV1: ITV was hoping it would become the big daddy of Saturday nights. But viewers grappled with the concept of watching the likes of James Hewitt and Annabel Croft being pinned to the floor. It was moved out of prime time and came to represent the nadir of ITV's cruel, cruel summer."

Merchandise

Friday's Western Mail noted that "Christmas sales of Doctor Who merchandise have been 'in a different league' to rival TV and film spin-offs this year, toy retailers said yesterday. The popularity of the toys and figures from the hit BBC series, which is filmed in Wales, has comfortably outstripped that of merchandise from blockbuster films like Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith and Batman Begins. Chris Davies, at The Entertainer toy chain's Cardiff shop, said radio control Daleks had easily been its most popular items in the run-up to Christmas. ... Ben Keywood, of mail order firm Galaxy 4, which specialises in merchandise from the cult series, said manufacturers had been taken by surprise by the popularity of the spin-off products. 'It's been very difficult to meet the demand,' he said. 'The problem has been that nobody really anticipated that it would be quite so popular, and so the companies who were licensed to produce it didn't make enough. 'It's only been in the last couple of days that we've had enough radio-controlled Daleks on our hands to fulfil all the pre-orders we've had, and so it wasn't until then that we could post them out for Christmas.' Mr Keywood said the visual appeal of the Dalek made it irresistible to fans of the show. 'Obviously it's to do with the fact that the Dalek is so iconic and if you see one in the shops, you will just buy it because it looks so good and it's quite quirky. 'I think you can't resist buying it when you see one, so when they have appeared, people have just snapped them off the shelves.'"

Milestones

The Scotsman and other sources have printed an article about the history of Doctor Who being continued to this day. "On Christmas Day, 1965, the Doctor took time out from an epic battle with the Daleks to partake in an odd 25-minute run-around which saw him in a silent film-style encounter with the likes of Charlie Chaplin and the Keystone Kops. As if that wasn't bizarre enough, at the end of the episode the Timelord - then in his first incarnation, played by William Hartnell - caused many a viewer to choke on their turkey by suddenly turning straight to camera and addressing the TV audience across the land. 'Incidentally,' he chuckled, 'a happy Christmas to all of you at home!'. Four decades on, and for only the second time in the programme's long history, the Tardis is once again materialising onto our TV screens on Christmas Day. But this time around it's all very different. Rather than an Edwardian gentleman with dodgy dentistry at the helm, the new Doctor, David Tennant, is all Carnaby Street swagger and perfect teeth. For fans everywhere, it'll provide them the first chance to properly size up the new man in the Tardis, having only enjoyed a brief sample of David's take on the role in a Children In Need special last month. Despite being a life-long fan of the programme, he is determined to make the character - now in its 10th incarnation - his own. 'I haven't drawn on any of the earlier Doctors' portrayal, not particularly consciously. I am aware there's always the danger of playing it too quirkily.' He's obviously still smitten with the role. 'It is like no other job in the world, you are sword-fighting one day, swinging off ledges on another. It never fails to surprise and delight. We literally have about one 'wow!' moment a week,' he smiles. 'Standing in the arena of the Sycorax spaceship was quite an early one.' Eclipsing even that thrill is one we won't get to see on our screens until next year, when the Doctor comes face-to-face with former companion Sarah Jane Smith, who accompanied both Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker on their time travels in the 1970s. Still played by Elisabeth Sladen, David admits it was a great thrill to work with one of his childhood heroes. 'She was calling me Doctor, which seemed really weird,' he laughs. Get used to it, Mr Tennant, because after Christmas, so will the rest of the world. As the Doctor says, at the climax of The Christmas Invasion, still clad in a fetching pair of pin-stripe nightwear following a post-regenerative period of bed rest, 'Not bad for a bloke in jim-jams'."

People

The Sun says today that "Billie Piper is NOT about to leave the Timelord’s side -- says the new Doctor Who. Billie, 23, who is currently filming her second series as sidekick Rose Tyler, was said to be considering quitting. But new Doctor David Tennant said: 'Billie is hanging around. Despite what you may have read.' But Billie has nabbed another job. She will be the first guest host on the new series of Channel 4 show The Friday Night Project. It returns on January 6."

The Sun notes that "gay Doctor Who star John Barrowman is to do an Elton John -and wed his boyfriend. John -bisexual Captain Jack in the BBC1 show -wants to formalise his relationship with architect Scott Gill after ten years. But unlike Sir Elton and David Furnish, they won't be having a lavish showbiz bash. The 37-year-old actor said: 'We're just going to sign the civil register. We're not going to have any ceremony because I'm not a supporter of the word marriage for a gay partnership.' The pair live in London's Chelsea and signing the register gives them the same rights as other married couples. They are even talking about having a baby together. John -currently rehearsing for ITV1 show Dancing On Ice -said: "The daughter of a very, very old friend offered to carry a child for us. I've known her since she was five or six. She has kids of her own but said that if we wanted a child she'd be happy to do it.'" Also reported at Contact Music,Sun Sentinel, Pink News, Good As You.

The Times says that "If David Tennant has a motif, it is his lightness of touch, even when playing dark roles. As he recognises, his appeal lies in words and wit, and certainly not in conventional leading-man looks. Though if he lacks bulk he certainly ripples with energy, and that will never be more apt than when he becomes the tenth Doctor Who on Christmas Day. Two predecessors, Tom Baker and Peter Davison, have sent him good-luck cards, which he will appreciate because it was Doctor Who, which he watched from the age of 3, that made him want to act. The third child of a former Moderator of the Church of Scotland, he grew up in a manse in Bathgate, though his family was by no means morally censorious, as the tabloids like to imply, and he is no small-nation Scot. Academic work didn’t interest him much; he was talent-spotted by Scottish TV at a Saturday youth-theatre group and at 17 he became the youngest student at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. By this time, at the request of Equity, he had changed his name from McDonald to Tennant — chosen because he had just seen a reference to the Pet Shop Boys’ Neil Tennant and thought his name would do. His first job was touring in a minibus with the socialist theatre group 7:84 and, encouraged by his friend Arabella Weir, he headed south in 1993, lodged with her for five years, and rapidly registered on the English arts radar. He may have been acclaimed for his detective in last year’s TV series Blackpool, and for his deliciously cheeky Casanova this year, but he still regards his greatest triumph as playing the leads in three rotating RSC productions in 2001. Interviewers have so far done little to penetrate his boyish exterior, partly because underneath it is a serious soul, and partly because however much celebrity culture would like to grasp the new Doctor Who to its lovely bosom, the new Doctor Who recognises its vacuous and destructive game for what it is and has no intention of engaging. At 34 he has the distinction of being a character actor who has no time to rest, and who artfully presents an air of slight bewilderment at the consistency of parts that he bags and his growing reputation. He may keep a photograph of himself and “the glorious” Peter O’Toole (who played the older Casanova) on his fridge, but in truth he is no ingenue. Rather he is a damned good actor, whose fine work comes from the right blend of talent and unswerving determination. Enjoy."

The Salford Advertiser noted that "Christopher Eccleston forged an emotional link with the tsunami victims of Indonesia because they reminded him of the people of his home town of Salford. The former Dr Who star has just returned from a Red Cross fact-finding tour of Banda Aceh, one of the worst-hit areas of the 2004 Boxing Day disaster. He said: 'I didn't know these people before I visited the area, but found they remind me of the people of Salford, people of my parents' generation. They were polite, welcoming, but streetwise people and meeting them has been a life-changing experience. It certainly makes me look at my own life with a bit more optimism.' The 41-year-old has been reliving his trip this week in a bid to keep up the momentum of public support. Like many, he said he made a contribution to the relief fund and then forgot about it. But visiting one of the countries where the money is being put to use had made him understand a lot more, he claimed. 'When you go out there you realise that the disaster was of truly Biblical proportions and you cannot help but be impressed by the courage and optimism of people in the face of unimaginable grief. It certainly puts the trivial little things in my own life into perspective. I was really impressed by the way in which those who have suffered are saying how and where the money is being spent – it is not being imposed upon them. The Red Cross workers out there are local and they can liaise with the villagers about what they need, whether it's help in starting up in business again or the type of house they want. The money is being well spent but a lot more needs to be done. Some of my friends have asked 'Why go back a year on, what's the significance?'. All I can say is twelve months is no time at all, families are still living in shelters or crowded into one room but getting on with their lives without self-pity and with bravery, courage and defiance.' Christopher also travelled to Pulo Aceh, a group of islands just off Banda Aceh, to witness the start of reconstruction of hundreds of homes that were lost."

Friday's Daily Star noted that "Saucy Billie Piper loves the snogging scenes in her telly shows - so she can play tonsil tennis for real with her hunky co-stars. 'I like it when it's genuine - tongues and all,' she admits. The 22-year-old actress refuses to 'fake it' if she has to lock lips on shows such as Doctor Who. So naughty Billie slips her tongue in and urges other actors to do the same with her to make it look like a proper smacker. 'The secret is to make it real, ' says Billie, who also starred in Canterbury Tales and Much Ado About Nothing. 'I hate all that half-kissing business - you know, when the top lip's above the other lip and it all fits very neatly. That kind of bores me.'"

The Evening Times notes that Tennant will be staying in the role, as doesDigital Spy, while TV Squad continues its "countdown">.

Christopher Eccleston's participation in the play "School of Night" is mentioned in Playbill.

Miscellaneous

Friday's Lichfield Mercury noted that "A Chorley schoolboy became the envy of his pals when he got a sneak preview of one of this year's sure-fire Christmas TV hits. Calum Klek, aged 12, won a competition with the BBC's Newsround which not only got him into the press preview screening for the December 25 edition of Doctor Who, but the chance to interview the stars as well. They included the 10th Doctor, David Tennant and Noel Clarke, who plays Mickey. Calum's exclusive report appeared on Newsround last week. 'I asked David loads of questions, like which monsters in Doctor Who he thinks are the scariest and what point in time he would go to in his Tardis, which stumped him a bit,' said Calum, a pupil at Friary School in Lichfield. 'Meeting the new Doctor was the best bit as he was really nice to talk to. Noel Clarke and Camille Coduri - Jackie Tyler - also gave me interviews and they were great, telling me their favourite monsters in the series. Everyone seemed really nice and they were all excited about the new series, and from the clips I saw I can see why!'"

Today's The Times talks about fan fiction websites, including mentioning Doctor Who several times. "Fanfic is a phenomenon of mind-boggling magnitude. On the fanfic.net website alone there are more than 200,000 Harry Potter stories and nearly 40,000 Lord of the Rings stories. Fiction Alley ( www.fictionalley.org ) has more than 70,000 registered users and more than a million posts. The fact that fanfic derives from existing works raises questions of copyright. Some authors, such as Anne Rice, author of the Vampire series, have said that they do not want their creations to be the subject of amateur fiction. Such wishes tend to be respected by most websites. Rice has taken legal action against those who persist. ... Again, Doctor Who has been particularly successful. A string of novels was published by Virgin under the BBC Books imprint between 1991 and 1997. Doctor Who has also inspired spin-off science books, including Michael White's A Teaspoon and an Open Mind: The Science of Dr Who (the same name as the fanfic website) that asks such questions as: How do you build a Tardis? Can a robot dog catch a cold? The only problem is that the Doctor is rather incidental. It is a book about science in which Doctor Who is invoked solely to boost sales."

(Thanks to Steve Tribe, Paul Engelberg, Paul Hayes, John Bowman, Faiz Rehman, Peter Weaver, John McAteer, Peter Anghelides, Mike Ramsay, Mark Naisbitt, Harald Gehlen)