The Sun has a story about the companions who will accompany the Tenth Doctor in his last story, and the story's antagonist. The information, if true, may be considered a spoiler; click the box below for details if you wish.

Please note that this has not been confirmed by any official source.

David Tennant will appear in four more special episodes of Doctor Who. One will air around Easter, and the other three will air around Christmas 2009 and New Year's 2010. The last two specials form a two-part story; this is the story which the Sun's news concerns.

Thanks to James Robertson.

Doctor Who writer Paul Cornell has adapted the Iain M. Banks short story The State of the Art for radio. The adaptation will air on Thursday, March 5th at 14.15 on BBC Radio 4. Afterward the programme will be available internationally via the BBC IPlayer.

The Stage reports that Laurence Payne, who appeared in three classic Doctor Who serials, has died at the age of 89. Payne played gunslinger Johnny Ringo in "The Gunfighters" (1966), dying Argolin leader Morix in "The Leisure Hive" (1980) and morally compromised scientist Dastari in "The Two Doctors" (1985).

Beyond the world of Doctor Who, Payne had a distinguished stage career, including a long run at the Old Vic in the 1940s, and played Romeo in Peter Brook's 1947 production of "Romeo and Juliet" at Stratford-upon-Avon. On television, he was best known as the 1920s detective Sexton Blake in the ITV children's serial, which ran from 1967 to 1971.

Payne died on February 23, 2009.

Thanks to Mark Terry.

Outgoing Doctor Who executive producer, Julie Gardner, has joined BBC Worldwide's Los Angeles production studio as executive producer.

She is the first appointment announced by Jane Tranter, recently-appointed executive vice president, programming and production, BBC Worldwide America.

Gardner will be responsible for scripted projects, working with US and British writers including Russell T Davies to develop projects for the American market.

Speaking to the BBC Staff magazine Ariel, Tranter said "She brings an unprecedented insight into drama development and production and has a solid track record of forging strong relationships with the creative community. She will be an asset to our already talented team of scripted executives, and we all feel lucky to have her working with us."

Gardner and Tranter's working relationship began when Tranter assigned Gardner to head up the 2005 revival of Doctor Who. As former head of drama, BBC Wales, she was responsible for the production of a string of dramas including Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes, Being Human, The Girl in the Cafe, Stuart: A Life Backward, Mistresses and Casanova, as well as overseeing two Doctor Who spin-offs, Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures.

She is expected to join the LA studio full-time in June.

Posted By John Bowman

The character actor James Bree - who had three notable roles inDoctor Who - has died at the age of 85 after a long illness, reportsThe Stage.

Bree's first appearance in Doctor Who was as The Security Chief in the 1969 ten-parter The War Games - soon to be released on DVD. He appeared again in the show in 1980, playing Decider Nefred in the four-part story Full Circle, which was recently released on DVD in the UK as part of The E-Space Trilogy.

His final appearance in the show was as the Keeper of the Matrix inThe Trial of a Time Lord: The Ultimate Foe in 1986 (also available on DVD).

Bree's many other TV credits included The Jewel In The Crown, I, Claudius, Glittering Prizes, The Duchess of Duke Street, Z Cars, Rumpole of the Bailey, The Professionals, and Budgie. His film appearances included On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

Bree died on December 1, 2008 according to the report, but his death has only just been announced.

(With thanks to Jim Sangster)

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts will be presenting a special event on 17th March; Russell T Davies in Conversation will take place at the Princess Anne Theatre on Piccadilly, and will feature a talk from the writer on "his origins in children's programmes, his thoughts about the audience and his hopes and fears for kids' output in the future - including his view on the BBC's move to Salford."

The evening is co-presented by BAFTA and the Showcomotion Children's Media Conference; further details and ticket booking can be found on the BAFTA website.

(with thanks to cherry@cupcake)

Noel Clarke has won the BAFTA Orange Rising Star Award.

The award, given by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and presented at a ceremony at the Royal Opera House in London, is the only award voted on by the public. It honours a young actor/actress of any nationality who has demonstrated exceptional talent and begun to capture the imagination of the British public as a film star in the making.

Clarke, who played Mickey Smith in Doctor Whoand wrote the Torchwood Series One episodeCombat, won the award for his work as writer and star of the feature length Kidulthood as well as follow up film Adulthood, the latter of which he also directed.

Ian Smith, Head of Partnerships at Orange, said: "We are delighted that Noel Clarke has been chosen as this year's Orange Rising Star. Noel is truly a fantastic role model for the next generation of aspiring film talent in Britain."

Finola Dwyer, Chairman of the BAFTA Film Committee, said: "I'm sure the British public will join me in congratulating a very deserving winner."

Also at the awards, former Doctor Who writer and co-creator of K-9, Bob Baker, won the BAFTA for Short Animation for his work on Wallace and Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death. Baker shared the award with Steve Pegram and Nick Park.

Both Teletext and The Sun are reporting today that Freema Agyeman will return to Doctor Who for one more appearance as Martha Jones before David Tennant leaves the role. Agyeman is, according to the reports, scheduled to appear in one of the four upcoming specials that Tennant will appear in before turning over the role to Matt Smith. Says the Sun, "Freema's on board. It's early days so it's unclear what exactly Martha will be up to in the new show."

Agyeman will be doing a Q and A, with Chris Chibnall, Ben Daniels and Dick Wolf after a preview screening of Episode 1 of Law and Order on Thurs 5th Feb at the British Film Institute in London.

David Tennant's performance in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Hamlet, has won him the best Shakespearean performance award from the Critics Circle. Tennant shared the award with Sir Derek Jacobi who won for his performance of Malvolio in the Donmar Warehouse's production of Twelfth Night. Tennant described the experience of playing Hamlet "a dream I never imagined I would get to fulfil".

Former companion and Blue Peter presenter, Peter Purves's autobiography is being published by Green Umbrella Publishing on 10th February. The book, which is being promoted as a scandalous read, will cover Purves time on Doctor Who, working with the first Doctor William Hartnell, as well as his later work on Blue Peter and Kick Start. He will be making several appearances at signing sessions around the UK.

Torchwood has been nominated for best Drama Series, in the annual Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) media awards. GLAAD is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. The awards will be presented at three separate ceremonies: in New York on March 28, in Los Angeles on April 19 and in San Francisco on May 9.

Former companion Louise Jameson has given an interview to Kent Life. Jameson who played Leela, talks about her relationship with fourth doctor Tom Baker and well as her work on other projects.

Scorenotes.com has uploaded an audio interview with Doctor Who composer, Murray Gold. Gold discusses both Doctor Who and Torchwood in the segment.

Radio Times has put together a selection of photographs from the recent Radio Times Covers Party. They are available on the website.

Thanks to Roger Jones, Andrew Futter, Rob Turner and Tom H.

Posted By John Bowman

Catherine Tate can be seen spoofing Doctor Who this weekend on entertainment showThe Sunday Night Project.

She is the guest host on the Channel 4 programme on January 18, and as well as delivering a monologue she puts on a wig, sideburns, suit and overcoat to assume the guise of the Tenth Doctor. The show's format also sees guest hosts facing questions from the studio audience.

In addition, regular co-host Justin Lee Collins portrays a bride, echoing Tate's first appearance as Donna Noble in Doctor Who.

The programme will air at 10pm.

David Tennant, Billie Piper and John Barrowman all guest-hosted during the show'sFriday Night Project incarnation.