The Daily Mirror has this morning announced that Matt Smith has quit Doctor Who! However, the eye-catching front-page proclamation introduces an article that actually reports that he is under contract under November 2013, which would still cover any filming undertaken next year in the lead-up to the 50th Anniversary.

The paper is instead suggesting that the actor will bow out next Christmas, with "a source" saying: "Next year is the 50th anniversary so it seems right to have a ­regeneration. Matt is a ­brilliant Doctor so we will keep him for the run but a Christmas regeneration would be incredible and guarantee huge ratings."

Last night, the BBC's Head of Communications Simon Hodges commented via Twitter on the article: "Matt Smith hasn't quit - just an over excitable headline. It's taken from comments saying he won't be doing it forever. He'll be around for a good while yet."

Smith himself commented in this week's Radio Times: "We want to make it (the 50th Anniversary) as big and bold and as brilliant as we can because, we hope, it can be one of the monumental bits of TV history. But I doubt there'll be a regeneration.". The actor also told Richard Arnold on Daybreak this week: "I've always said that I'll be around for the 50th Anniversary and that's what we go into next year, so absolutely I'll be around next year - it's the most exciting year for the show and I wouldn't want to miss it."

Stories such as this by the Mirror regularly appear in the press, who love to speculate on how long main stars will remain with long-running shows such as Doctor Who. Whether Matt Smith is to really to leave post-50th Anniversary is unlikely to be officially revealed until much nearer the time.

Tonight's episode, Asylum of the Daleks, is to feature a variety of the Doctor's greatest enemy on screen, as Steven Moffat explained earlier in the year:

The Radio Times is inviting viewers to keep their eyes peeled for the different Dalek designs with the release of their "Dalek Bingo!" card, where some nine versions can be ticked off - if you spot them!

The full image can be downloaded from the Radio Times site to print out and play along with the episode.


As well as its own Facebook page, the magazine has also launched one dedicated to Doctor Who news and archive content.

The first ever action figure of Rory Williams and an officially licensed fourth Doctor replica scarf are to be released in October.

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Ripple Junction, the official licensee of Doctor Who apparel are looking for fan feedback on their latest set of Doctor Who t-shirt designs. The survey can be filled out here. Three random entrants who take part in the survey will be picked by Ripple Junction to win a Doctor Who t-shirt. Current designs on sale can be viewed here.

Karen Gillan was the main guest on BBC1's magazine programme The One Show this evening, during which she chatted about her time on Doctor Who, her new film Oculus and demonstrated her impression of a Dalek ordering chips and mushy peas!

Talking about her last day filming, she said:
And on her decision to leave:

Meanwhile, Nicholas Briggs paid a visit to Slough, where he put his own Dalek vocal talents into action 'terroring' passengers at the station and customers in Tesco.


Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the show for the next seven days via the BBC iPlayer.

The BBC has released more images from tomorrow's Series 7 opening episode Asylum of the Daleks as well as a slightly tweaked version of the Asylum "film poster".


"Film poster" images for the following four episodes - Dinosaurs On A Spaceship, A Town Called Mercy, The Power Of Three, and The Angels Take Manhattan - which had earlier been made available as downloadable wallpaper have also been released.


The original version of the Asylum poster can be seen here.

The final part of Pond Life has now been released by the BBC.


Further details about the mini-adventures are available from the Pond Life page on the BBC website.

BBC America will be broadcasting a Series 6 marathon during the day of the premiere of Asylum of the Daleks, which airs at 9pm ET. The full schedule of Doctor Who episodes on BBCA can be found here.

BBC America now has an official Twitter account for Doctor Who on BBC America. You can follow updates @DoctorWho_BBCA.

Nerdist

BBC America's Nerdist YouTube channel has a weekend of special videos about Doctor Who to celebrate the new series. Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, Arthur Darvill and Steven Moffat will take part in Chris Hardwick's All Star Celebrity Bowling tomorrow [31st].

The Nerdist recently aired a "Tribute to Time Traval" episode on BBC America which featured the cast of Doctor Who playing a version of Cranium called Skull.

This week's Doctor Who Adventures magazine comes with a pack of 20 mini monster figures!

Also in this issue:

• Dalek madness - A sneaky peek at the Asylum of the Daleks!
• Eleventh Doctor's Dalek encounters!
• Monster army attack board game which you can play with your cool monster army gift!
• Interview – we talk to Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill about their top TARDIS times as the Doctor's companions, Amy and Rory!
• Mega moments! - Tell us about your best bits from Saturday's brand-new ep. Email us your mega moment to dwa@bbc.co.uk and include your name and age. The best ones will feature in the mag!

Plus the usual comic strip adventures, exclusive posters, puzzles, facts and jokes.

Issue 284 of Doctor Who Adventures is out in the UK now.

Part Four of Pond Life has now been released by the BBC.


Further details about the mini-adventures are available from the Pond Life page on the BBC website.

Today saw both the BBC's Breakfast and ITV1's Daybreak shows featuring items on the return of Doctor Who on Saturday.

The BBC's item was presented by entertainment correspondent Lizo Mzimba, who spoke to both Matt Smith and Karen Gillan about what to expect in the coming weeks. Talking about this weekend's Asylum of the Daleks, Matt said:

UK viewers can watch the article below (which contains clips from the upcoming episode that might be considered spoilers):


In addition, the BBC's Doctor Who website features an interview with the episode's writer Steven Moffat on the return of the Daleks. You can also catch up on coverage of the preview screenings of the episode in London and New York.


Daybreak saw resident TV reviewer Richard Arnold chatting to Matt and Karen, with the latter revealing her 'geek' tendencies:
Matt Smith also reaffirmed his intentions after this series is over: