David Tennant is starring in a new play for BBC Radio 4; set in 1610, Waiting for the Boatman sees Tennant's character Mario Minniti go to Naples in search of his former master, the infamous painter Caravaggio. The play will be broadcast on 15th March at 2:15pm. [BBC Media Centre]

Talking about his new role as the voice of Twigs in Tree Fu Tom, he said: "I could never have imagined that a programme like this could be used in this way to help combat dyspraxia. It will be fascinating to see if it does have a positive effect. The children will certainly have a good time trying! I don't think I’ve ever done anything for this age of child before. Television more than any other medium influenced me as a child and formed my response to literature, storytelling and, therefore, the world around me. Generally speaking we don't have vivid memories of that age and what influenced us, yet clearly these are hugely formative years and it's really important that we can create television of a high quality for that audience." [Radio Times, 5 Mar 2012]

John Barrowman reveals the best meal of his life: "That perfect meal, and the finest thing I have ever tasted is lobster, with a caviar truffle filling – incredible textures, endless flavours, and usually served in a setting befitting such elegant tastes." [Yahoo/LoveFood, 1 Mar 2012]

Freema Agyeman is to join the cast of the Sex in the City prequel show, The Carrie Diaries, based on the book by Candace Bushnell; she will be playing the role of Carrie's friend Larissa, described as a hip, cutting-edge editor and party girl working Interview Magazine, where young Carrie works. [Press Association, 6 Mar 2012]

Bonnie Langford says her character of Mel would be more rounded if she returned to Doctor Who now. When asked, in a Press Association interview, if she would consider reprising the role, she said: "I'd love it because I might get a few lines other than, 'Oh Doctor!' That was what I was always like. Now the companions are rounded characters, which is always so much more fun to play. But I had a good time doing it. I have good memories of the people I worked with. The show used to attract an amazing cast. When you look at all the notable people who've been guests on that programme over the years, it's quite extraordinary. It's a legend, a national treasure." [Press Association, 4 Mar 2012]

Gareth David Lloyd talks about whether he'd want his Torchwood character Ianto to appear in Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary: "It would depend on the script, but yes I think so. Ianto is very close to my heart and will always deserve a little resurrection if done properly." [Cultbox, 29 Feb 2012]

John de Lancie will appear in the CW Network series The Secret Circle. He will be playing the part of an elder, Royce Armstrong, who will reveal conspiracy theories relating to the past, and will be seen from episode nineteen. [TV Guide, 1 Mar 2012]

Yasmin Paige is currently appearing as Beth in the new BBC3 teenage sitcom Pramface.

Charles Cowper returned to the college where he learned his trade in order to give advice on entering the industry. Speaking at Cirencester College, the cameraman - who as well as having worked on Doctor Who has also been involved with other BBC shows likeSherlock, Casualty and Being Human - said: "I owe a huge amount to the media course at Cirencester. It allowed me to turn what I enjoyed into something I could use." [Gloucestershire Echo, 29 Feb 2012]

Gareth Roberts talks about fitting his new novel Shada into the old novelisation tradition: "Well yeah, I could have taken the script and done 148 pages – which was his standard for a six-parter – and just rattled through it. But no, it is considerably heftier than that. It’s 400 pages, you know! It’s not so much a Terrance novelisation. It’s much more a novel, in the sense that it’s very much from people’s viewpoints. There is talk that when the paperback comes out we might try and do a limited edition which will fit seamlessly between The Horns Of Nimon and The Leisure Hive on your shelf of Target books. This is what I’ve been pushing for because I know what fans are like – I know what I'm like – so hopefully that will materialise in the not-too-distant future." [Full Interview and review via Ian Berriman/SFX, 6 Mar 2012]

Director Richard Senior is the latest series name to join the Twitter community - you can follow him here: @cleverdicktv.

In The Media:

Matt Smith was interviewed on the TARDIS set by Steve Hargrave for ITV1's Daybreak, during which he discussed Karen Gillan's departure, and his and the show's future: she’s a great friend, and creatively I have a really interesting relationship with her and Arthur, but I think by the same token the show is bigger than any of us - it’s been going in 2013 fifty years and it will continue way after me. It’s a thrill playing the part - as you see, this is work, this is home, I spend a lot of time here - I don’t want to give it up anytime soon. We've got a whole season to make, a Christmas special as well, so no time soon, I won’t be leaving anytime soon." Additionally, the Radio Times quoted him as saying: "We’ll get this season out the way and see where I’m at. I take it season by season and I take the job day by day because there’s no other way you can do it." [The full interview can be watched via the Daybreak website]

Speaking a little more on her decision to leave, Gillan herself explained how she wanted to be involved with her departure: "Oh, yeah! It would be so weird to just receive a script and find out that it was the end. That would be really weird. Oh, my god, I don't know how I would feel about that. It was nice. I was just thinking about it and I had this instinct of when I wanted to leave, so I called Steven Moffat and we arranged dinner. He told me where he was at, story wise, and together we were like, "Okay, this is when we can do it." It was actually so lovely and pleasant, and we both felt that it was the right time. In all honesty, I've had the best years of my life working on the show, so I’m going to be so sad to go. I really am." And on knowing how she will leave? "I wanted to keep it a surprise, for as long as possible, and keep the excitement in there." [Collider, 2 Mar 2012]

Writer Toby Whithouse discussed the new companion: "To be honest it was probably more of a mutual decision than people would assume. These things tend to be kind of agreed, particularly the companions have a natural shelf life. I know a bit about the new companion, I don’t know who they cast and even if I did if I told you Steven Moffat would come out here and punch me in the neck. Steven is one of the cleverest, most inventive people I’ve ever met in my life, and so you know it is in very safe hands with him. If he makes decisions, the chances are it’s for the best, it’s the best thing for the show." [Hollywood Reporter, 25 Feb 2012]

Steven Moffat talked about monsters in Doctor Who during press coverage for Sherlock in France: "I always say new monsters are better in Doctor Who because you fall in love with monsters when they're new. One of the temptations, particularly if it's a success is to keep repeating your hits, which means you hear it again and again and again." [Le Village, 28 Feb 2012]

Moffat has also intimated on Twitter that he has started work on 2012 Christmas Special: "Right then. It's that time of year already. I'm breaking out the Christmas songs ... !"

On Location:

Matt Smith and Karen Gillan were spotted on their way to Spain in the morning on the 6th March, as various members of the public tweeted their journey to Heathrow: firstly by Vicky Cole at Paddington Station, "Just saw the girl from Doctor Who!« Now I've seen Doctor Who!«"; then Erin Sykes at Heathrow itself, "Just seen Doctor Who in the airport, just a casual thing for me to do on a Tuesday.« Yes, actually Matt Smith! We followed him;) but then he got on his plane!«". Arthur Darvill was then spotted in Madrid-Barajas airport itself by Javier Alonso Fontaneda, confirming the trio would be filming there, with a return to the UK expected on the 16th March.


The Spanish shoot has also been confirmed by Doctor Who Magazine on the front cover for the next issue, due out Thursday.

Meanwhile, domestic filming without the two stars is planned at Cardiff Business School.

The Rumour Zone:

Being asked about the Express rumour from the weekend about the potential casting of Benedict Cumberbatch in the 50th Anniversary special, Matt Smith said: "I know Ben and I've not heard anything about it,” admits Smith. “But he’s a wonderful actor and a mate. I think he’s a bit busy being a Star Trek villain, and he’s Sherlock Holmes of course, so he’s a busy man." [Daybreak, via Radio Times, 28 Feb 2012]

Episode titles for the series have yet to be revealed, but an early contender for episode three of four has emerged, potentially tying in with the expected filming in Spain in the next few weeks.

The BBC National Orchestra of Wales is performing the music of Murray Gold, at two concerts taking place in Cardiff next Monday evening, 12th March.

The Orchestra, conducted by Ben Foster, will performing a live soundtrack to a special screening of last year's Christmas Special, The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe.

The concerts, which take place at 6pm and 7.45pm, are free to attend and will take place at the 350 seater BBC Hoddinott Hall, part of the Wales Millennium Centre based in Cardiff Bay.

Tickets can be booked through the BBC National Orchestra of Wales Audience Line on 03700 10 10 51.

The actor Philip Madoc has died, aged 77.

Born in Merthyr Tydfil in 1934, during his teenage years Philip Madoc took an interest in becoming an actor, studying at RADA and then taking on a number of television roles from the 1960s, making him a familiar face. Programmes included The Monsters (1962), For Whom The Bell Tolls (1965), The Power Game (1966), The Tyrant King (1968), Manhunt (1969), The Last of the Mohicans (1971), Target (1978), and fantasy shows likeThe Baron, Randall and Hopkirk Deceased, UFO, and five different parts during the course of The Avengers.

His first brush with Doctor Who was actually in the 1966 film spin-off Daleks: Invasion Earth 2150AD alongside Peter Cushing, in which he played the smuggler Brockley. He was then to appear in two stories for Patrick Troughton's last series, as the Gond Eelek in The Krotons and then in a leading role as the War Lord in Troughton's swan-song The War Games. However, his next role is considered by many as his greatest contribution to the series, portraying the obsessive, manic scientist Mehendri Solon in the Fourth Doctor story The Brain of Morbius. His final appearance was as Fenner in The Power of Kroll, a role he'd often criticised as not being as meaty as he would have liked.

Madoc later returned to the Doctor Who fold, appearing in two audio adventures for Big Finish Productions: first opposite Sylvester McCoy and Geoffrey Beevers in the 2003 audio "Master," and later opposite Colin Baker and India Fisher in the special release "Return of the Krotons".

He became a leading actor in 1981 when he took the eponymous role in the BBC TV drama The Life and Times of David Lloyd George, and continued to appear in series including A Very British Coup (1988) and First Born (1988); he also played DCI Noel Bain in A Mind To Kill (1994-2002), and more recently Y Llywydd in the Welsh series Y Prid (2007). And of course no acting CV is complete without a guest appearance in Doctors (2003)!

No stranger to the stage, Madoc appeared in a number of productions, working at 'home' at Theatr Clwyd and Theatre Wales and throughout the UK, including the West End, on tour, and with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Notables roles include Iago in Othello, Antony in Antony and Cleopatra, Shylock in The Merchant of Venice, Henry Higgins in Pygmalion, and co-starring in The Forsyte Saga. Film-wise, as well as his encounter with the Daleks, he also often popped up in small German-oriented roles, such as in Operation Crossbow, The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, Hell Boats, plus others like The Assassination Bureau and Dr Jekyll and Sister Hyde.

Amongst his talents Madoc was a linguist (having studied languages at the Universities of Wales and Vienna) and had worked as an interpreter. The actor had also narrated a number of television series, such as Egypt Uncovered for the Discovery Channel, and audio books such as The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. He most recently lent his vocal talents to The Scarifyers, an audio series also broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra.

In addition, he was patron to a St Albans-based theatre school for children, Best Theatre Arts.

Publicly, though, perhaps his most famous appearance on TV was in the Dad's Army episode The Deadly Attachment in a familiar guise of a German officer, this time as the captured U-Boat commander who threatens the platoon with his infamous "List".

Madoc was married twice (his first to actress Ruth Madoc from 1961 to 1981), and leaves behind his widow Diane and four children from his marriages.

Tributes

The news was reported by Madoc's agent, Michael Hallett, who said that the actor passed away in hospital in Hertfordshire early this morning, surrounded by family.

The BBC reported the news on their website, and have also put together a photo album of his career.

Toby Hadoke said on Facebook: "Sad to report that the mighty Philip Madoc's name will also go on the list of excellent actors to leave us this year. RIP and thanks for all the menace. May there be no soggy chips where you are now." Writer/actor Mark Gatiss said on Twitter: "'What a magnificent head!' Farewell to the always wonderful Philip Madoc. What presence. RIP.«". Writer Paul Cornell: "It's terrible to hear that Philip Madoc has died. A great actor who made some wonderful Doctor Who contributions.«" Actor Nicholas Pegg: "Very sad to hear of the death of Philip Madoc. A truly brilliant actor and a lovely, funny, generous fellow.«". Actress Frances Barber: "So sad to hear about Philip Madoc. I played Regan when he was King Lear on the radio. Saw him just last Dec. lovely man. RIP Philip.«" Actress Susan Penhaligon: "Many many moons ago I worked with Philip Madoc. He was lovely and had a Richard Burton Welsh voice. RIP Phillip.«"

Gallifrey One's Network 23, which was held last month in Los Angeles saw not only the cast of the TV Movie reunited with each other, but also reunited with the TARDIS console used in the 1996 Doctor Who story.

The console is owned by Paul Salamoff, a Doctor Who fan and veteran of the film industry who has worked as a Writer, Producer, Film Executive, Comic Book Creator, Author, and originally as a Special F/X Make-Up Artist.

Salamoff obtained the TARDIS console in 2006 after being put in contact with the owner of the Vancouver prop company that had originally built it for the movie. At the time the owner was keen to get rid of the prop, which was taking up to much space in his shop, so sold it to Salamoff for a knock-down price. Although the console was in pretty decent shape with all the lights working, the Time-Rotor was gone and some of the switches were missing including the large hand crank. All the feet on the base were broken at the ankles and had been quickly hot glued back together.

It was the announcement that the 23rd annual Gallifrey One convention, would see a reunion of the entire main cast and producer behind the 1996 Movie, that provided the inspiration for Salamoff and two friends, Brian Uiga and Bob Mitsch, to attempt a full restoration of the console. The three were well suited to take on the task. Salamoff himself has worked on Special FX on over forty films, ten television series, and numerous commercials. Brian Uiga has been building gadgets and props since 1996, when he first saw the TV Movie and fell in love with the show. He has worked with Salamoff to provide parts for a complete TARDIS toolkit. Bob Mitsch is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a degree in English and Screen writing, his hobbies include writing, films and has created many costumes based on the series.

Since obtaining the console, Salamoff had already built a replica of the Time-Rotor. Further restoration work included replacing all broken switches, adding lights to the Time-Rotor, bracing the legs, building and replace the hand crank, restoring functionality to the three clocks, wiring up a custom sound board & speaker which would activate music & Sound Effects by switch, wiring lights to a relay s panels would dim & flash in alternating fashion as seen in the TVM, rigging a motor on the middle main clock so it could spin forwards or backwards as seen in TVM and wiring up all of these functions so they can all be activated by remote control.

Some parts were had built from scratch while some were adapted from existing bits and bobs such as craft beads. Original footage from the movie was used to try to get as accurate a match as possible and the console was re-wired and re-painted.

The Console was given pride of place in a special presentation at Gallifrey One where convention members could have their photo taken with the console. A full six-part report on the complete restoration can be found at Bob Mitsch's blog. 1 2 3 4 5 6

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Full Gallifrey One review here.

United Kindom

This coming weekend (3rd/4th March) sees Coalville play host to Robots Live at the Hermitage Centre, and a Dalek took to the streets of Loughborough last weekend to promote the event. Organiser Alan Young said: "It was really good. We had lots of people coming up to the robots and having their photos taken with them. We were trying to encourage people to come to our event next Saturday, we've got the best robots coming from all over the country to battle it out and it should be a really entertaining day." [Leicester Mercury, 28 Feb 2012]

Crosscombe village panto Sleeping Beauty had a surprise twist: "While the Princess slept, some cast members were projected 300 years forward, by a very convincing Tardis. What else? When the bad fairy finally met her demise, the Prince was ably assisted by the intervention of a conveniently placed Dalek." [Shepton Mallet Journal, 1 Mar 2012]

United States

Actor Travis Richey has been attempting to raise money to continue a Doctor Who spoof called Inspector Spacetime that appeared on NBC's Community in which he starred as a web-based series. However, having been told by NBC that he couldn't use the name, which is copyrighted to them, he has now renamed the project as Untitled Webseries About a Space Traveler Who Can Also Travel Through Time! [Topless Robot, 29 Feb 2012]

The student economics blog Centives at LeHigh University, Pennsylvania have been working out the cost of hiring a TARDIS for year: "We think that the market value of hiring the TARDIS would be £15,140,064 or $23,930,385 or 504,668,800 jelly babies." Find out how they came to that conclusion from their blog! [Centives blog, 27 Feb 2012]

Snowtime in New Hampshire and out comes the snow-Daleks - this one from Maddy! [MerrimackPatch, 1 Mar 2012]

The annual Megacon took place in Orlando, Florida over 19/20th February; the Southeast's largest comic-book/sci-fi convention saw a number of activities and of course the chance for costumes and models to be on display. [GeekSugar, 21 Feb 2012]

Australia

Aaron Climas from Mitchell Park in Adelaide has spent a year building his own Dalek. The visual effects artist completed it this week, just in time for Robert Shearman to arrive for the Adelaide Writers' Week. [Adelaide Now, 2 Mar 2012]

The actor Dennis Chinnery has died, aged 85.

Chinnery trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, after which he took on roles in the West End, including understudying Paul Scofield in Ring Round The Moon and alongsider Margeret Rutherford in Time Remembered. After some five years he then entered repertory for two years at The Old Vic, which included him playing "Macbeth" opposite Beatrix Lehmann as "Lady Macbeth".

He appeared in a number of films in small roles, such as Constable Christian in The Plague of the Zombies (whose cast included Jacqueline Pearce), and in All The Way Up (playing chauffeur to Bill Fraser's Makepiece). On television, he played roles in series like Hancock's Half Hour, Dixon of Dock Green, Z-Cars, Softly, Softly, and also appeared fantasy series like The Avengers, The Saint and The Prisoner.

His first appearance in Doctor Who was in 1965 as Albert C Richardson, the ill-fated first mate of the Mary Celeste in The Chase; however, he took on a much more prominent role ten years later as Kaled scientist Gharman in 1975's Genesis of the Daleks. He was to return to the series for a third time in 1984's The Twin Dilemma as Professor Sylvest, the hard-pressed father of the eponymous twins.

In later life, Chinnery devoted his time to his other passion, painting, based at his home in Headley Down that overlooked the green fields of East Hampshire, Southern England.

He was married to South African newscaster Pat Kerr.

Tributes

Former actor and agent Robert Gray, announcing the news via Twitter, said "Very sad to have just been informed that the very fine actor Dennis Chinnery has died. He had a long career including several Dr Who serials.« I worked with Dennis Chinnery several times as an actor and was his last agent.« A gent with a good naughty sense of humour.«"

The Sixth Doctor Colin Baker - who worked with him in The Twin Dilemma - said: "Oh dear - sad news about Dennis Chinnery. Nice chap and good actor.«". Frequent DVD contributor Toby Hadoke said: "a fine, dignified actor who tried his best to stop the Genesis Of The Daleks."« Dalek operator Nicholas Pegg said: "Oh dear. We're losing far too many good people. Just heard the sad news about Dennis Chinnery, a fine actor who livened up many a fine show.«"

Saturn Awards

Nominations for the 38th Annual Saturn Awards have now been announced.

Doctor Who is up for one award this year, nominated for Best Youth-Oriented Series On Television; it faces Being Human, The Nine Lives of Chloe King, Secret Circle, Teen Wolf, and The Vampire Diaries.

Torchwood: Miracle Day has done rather better in the nominations, with the series itself nominated in the Best Presentation in Television (10 episodes of less); it will be facing competition from Camelot, Falling Skies, Game of Thrones, The Killing, The Walking Dead, and Trek Nation. Star Eve Myles has been listed for Best Actress in Television; she faces Anna Torv (Fringe), Jessica Lange (American Horror Story), Lena Headey (Game of Thrones), Mireille Enos (The Killing), Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer). Bill Pullman appears in the list for Best Supporting Actor In Television, facing John Noble (Fringe), Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead) and Kit Harington (Game of Thrones) amongst others. Similarly, Lauren Ambrose features in the Best Supporting Actress list, which includes Jennifer Carpenter (Dexter), Michelle Forbes (The Killing) and Frances Conway (American Horror Story).

Previously, Doctor Who won Best Television in 1997, and Best International Series in 2008; in 2010 it lost out to Torchwood: Children of Earth in the Best Presentation on Television category.

The award winners will be announced at a special ceremony on 20th June in Burbank.

The Saturn Awards are presented by The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films, and have been running for over thirty years.

Eagle Awards

Though many of Doctor Who Magazine's readership follow the publication's extensive articles on the series, the comic strip has been a staple foundation since the very first issue.

This year sees the graphic adventures of the Doctor nominated again for an Eagle Award, in the Favourite British Comicbook: Colour category. The magazine is up against older 1970s sci-fi comic 2000AD and its more recent spin-off Judge Dredd, as well as CLiNT and STRIP (from former DWM editor John Freeman). Though nominated in the past, DWM has yet to receive an award.

The American adventures of the Doctor are also recognised in the survey, with IDW's Issue 12 nominated in the Favourite Single Story category; this is up against Animal Man #1, Daredevil #7, Aquaman #4, and The Amazing Spiderman #655.

Last year writer Paul Cornell won the award for Favourite Newcomer Writer.

Voting closes on 2nd April, with the results announced at the Eagle Awards Ceremony taking place at London’s MCM Expo on 25th May.

The Eagles have been running since 1976 and are the comics industry's longest-established awards.

Nebula Awards

The Doctor Who story The Doctor's Wife has been nominated for the Ray Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation in this year's Nebula Awards, the annual event held by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.

As with last year's runner-up Vincent and the Doctor, this year's nomination (written by Neil Gaiman and directed by Richard Clark) is the only television programme in the category. It is up against The Adjustment Bureau, Midnight in Paris, Source Code, Hugo, Captain America: The First Avenger, and Attack The Block.

The winners will be announced at SFWA's 47th Annual Nebula Awards Weekend, taking place at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City Arlington between 17th and 20th May.

The Nebula Awards are voted on, and presented by, active members of SFWA. Voting will open to SFWA Active members during March.

Roundup

The SFX Awards 2012 winners included: Best TV Show - Doctor Who; Best Actor - Matt Smith; Best Actress - Alex Kingston; Screen-Writing Excellence - Neil Gaiman; Elisabeth Sladen Award - The Sarah Jane Adventures; plus Living Legend - Brian Blessed!

The Broadcast Awards 2012 saw both Doctor Who Series 6 and Torchwood: Miracle Day nominated for Best International Programme Sales, but lost out to Big Fat Gypsy Weddings. The Sarah Jane Adventures similarly was a runner-up to Grizzly Tales, Grizzly TV in Best Children's Programme.

Not an award as such, but nominations are being accepted for BBC Radio 4's The New Elizabethans, the aim of which is to profile the 60 public figures who have made the greatest impact in these islands during the Queen's reign - men and women who have defined the era and whose deeds will stand the test of time. The list of nominees suggested so far includes Doctor Who's succesful reviver Russell T Davies. Nominations will be accepted until 9th March.