A one-day Doctor Who convention is to take place in Northern Ireland in May.

Organiser UT Events says Genesis will see Colin Baker, Louise Jameson and Annette Badland among the guests.

It will be held at the Park Avenue Hotel in Belfast on Sunday, May 27 from 9am until midnight.

The convention will also see guest Q and A sessions, autograph sessions, photograph sessions and prize giveaways, say the organisers.

More details at UT Events.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Big Finish Productions has released covers and information about two upcoming Doctor Who short story anthologies. Authors include Helen Raynor, Todd McCaffrey, Brian Keene, Keith R.A. DeCandido and Brian Dooley.

May sees Short Trips: Destination Prague edited by Steven Saville. A sample story, Gold and Black Ooze byRobert Hood, is available. The blurb follows..

Prague has its demons - a city saved from the ravages of war and the Third Reich because of its beauty, it is home to Rabi Loew's Golem, Rudolph II's obsession with finding the elixir of youth, scientific genius in the form of Kepler and Tycho Brahe, and the alchemical obsessions of Magister Kelly.

It is believed that there are magnetic energies whose lines intersect in Prague at several spots. Astronomy, astrology, numerology and magnetic forces have all played a role in building the city - but how will they influence its future?

This is the city rich in history, and full of potential - how will it adapt over the centuries to come? Will it have a glamorous rebirth or wallow in a dystopic nightmare? And what will be the role of the old superstitions in the new world?

For the Doctor and his companions, the answers to these questions are only just the start of further mysteries…



Short Trips: Snapshots comes out in June and is edited by Joseph Lidster...

A mysterious ghost haunts a hotel in India. The terrifying alien C'rizz attacks commuters in King's Cross station. Beneath a London council estate, a creature is waiting to be born. And on a distant world, an old man trades stories with a strange time traveller.

Throughout his adventures in time and space, the Doctor meets so many people and each one is affected in some way. The waiter who keeps a special table for the Time Lord's granddaughter, Susan. The American student who befriends lost Lucie Miller. The teenage girl who discovers that she may be something more than human.

What is it like when that strange blue box appears in your life? What is it like when your eyes are opened to so much more?

What is it like when everything changes?

Big Finish Productions released more information today on their upcoming Bernice Summerfieldrelease for April, The Judas Gift by Nick Wallace.

Big Finish Productions has released new covers and cast information about their upcoming titles.

I.D. by Eddie Robson is currently due out in April and will include the second story Urgent Calls, as well as a newBig Finish Magazine for subscribers.

Exotron by Paul Sutton will be out in May, and features the second story Urban Myths.

Big Finish Productions has released the covers to more of the BBC7 Doctor Who series: Immortal Beloved in April, Phobos in May, and No More Lies in June.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Executive Producer Russell T Davis has confirmed that there will be a fourth series of Doctor Who. The announcement was made during a Question and Answer session after the screening of the opening episodes at a special Press Launch in London on Wednesday evening. The commissioning of the fourth series is now also reported by BBC News, though that link does contain a mild spoiler for the opening episode.

Colin Baker and Louise Jameson will be on stage together at the Theatre Royal Brighton during its summer season.

They are to appear in the touring production of the Alan Ayckbourn comedy Bedroom Farce from July 2-7.

The week before that show, Frazer Hines will be appearing at the theatre in the touring production of Agatha Christie's The Unexpected Guest, which runs from June 25-30. This also features Eugene Washington (who appeared in School Reunion).

The shows form part of a special line-up to mark the historical venue's 200th year, which kicks off with a world premiere of Indian legend Mahabharata on May 22 - a fusion of dance, puppetry and music from the award-winning Nitin Sawhney.

The season also includes musicals such as Blonde Bombshells of 1943 and Dancing Queen, and operas Aida andTosca, alongside family classics such as The Railway Children.

The anniversary celebrations will culminate in a "This Is Her Life" gala performance on November 4, centred around a journey through the theatre's 200 years.

To book tickets call 08700 606650.

To mark the landmark 200th birthday, The Argus and BBC Southern Counties Radio are collecting 200 Stories For 200 Years. E-mail your memories of the theatre to theatreroyal@theargus.co.uk.

(Thanks to David Guest and Mark Bailey for additional information.)