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.

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.

The Manchester Evening News has an interview with Martin Wilkie, son of the late classic era visual effects designer Bernard Wilkie, in his capacity as a special effects adviser and director of the Up Close exhibition, which opens in the city at the end of March.

Martin, whose surname is spelled "Wylkie" in the article, tells how he and his brother (Simon) acted as guinea pigs when their father brought home prototypes and new characters from Doctor Who to see how scary they found them.

He says of the exhibition: "These are all genuine props from the series, so it is as near to behind the scenes as you can get. The kids won't be too scared - we find it is the parents who are generally more scared than the kids."

The online article has a gallery of seven images.

Bernard Wilkie, who co-founded the BBC's special effects department with Jack Kine, died in May 2002. Kine died in January 2005.

(Thanks to Tim Shaw.)

In an interview in Sunday's Observer, Russell T Davies suggests he may be planning a few more series of Doctor Who beyond Series Three.

The article states that "Davies will not be writing Doctor Who forever, of course, and that is a major headache for the BBC". It then goes on to quote the writer and producer as saying, "I'm not going to go on and on ... I wouldn't want to do series seven. There are other things I want to do."

This is the second of recent broadsheet interviews with RTD that focuses on what this much-in-demand writer might do next.

Doctor Who and Torchwood have helped push Cardiff into the top 10 of short-break UK destinations.

travelsupermarket.com compiled the list from searches made on its website for UK holiday destinations.

It spoke to travel experts who identified a trend based on popular films and TV shows. It showed that both Doctor Who and Torchwood, which are filmed in Cardiff and across south-east Wales, attract fans keen to visit landmark locations.

One popular attraction is the Doctor Who Up Close exhibition in the Red Dragon Centre, which was set up with the help of council funding.

Cardiff Council said the city was building a "tourism package" on the back of the success of the programmes.

Cardiff Council leader Rodney Berman, pictured, welcomed the news.

He said: "Doctor Who and Torchwood have undoubtedly helped raise the profile of Cardiff, and we know from inquiries received in our Visitor Centre and through our websites that people are interested in seeing the locations and the Doctor Who exhibition.

"I feel especially satisfied that the exhibition is doing well, as I believe I can claim to have had a personal hand in its development. Back in 2004, I asked council officers to approach BBC Wales to see if we could agree to stage a Doctor Who-related event as part of the city's centenary celebrations in 2005. That led to the council funding the exhibition when it was first established, which allowed it to open initially on a free-of-charge basis."

He added: "Cardiff is proud of being the home of Doctor Who and Torchwood, although it is also important to remember that visitors attracted by the programmes are finding that Cardiff has a lot more to offer for a short break.

“Attractions like Cardiff Castle and the National Museum, Cardiff Bay, a varied events programme and excellent hotels all add up to a very attractive package for visitors, and we're very pleased to be able to add programmes like Doctor Who and Torchwood to the mix."

The Northern Echo is reporting that a taxi driver in Darlington has been conned by a passenger who left a fake 20 pound note, branded with Doctor Who imagery, as security while he left the vehicle during a stop-off mid journey. According to the report: "Arriving in Shildon, the passenger told him he needed to go into a nearby house to collect a suitcase. By way of security, he left a wallet on the vehicle's dashboard containing a visible, but folded, realistic looking 20 pound note."

When the passenger failed to return, the driver investigated the note and discovered it to be a fake apparently coming from "the Bank of Doctor Who." The report claims that the note featured the image of a Cyberman, which would preclude it from having been one of those specially mocked-up for the cash machine scene of last year's Christmas special The Runaway Bride, as those 20 pound notes featured the face of producer Phil Collinson. However, this could have been the journalist's attempt to make the story more appealing to readers.

(Thanks to Rich Flair from our forum).

Saturday's edition of The Sun boasts an exclusive two-page interview with Freema Agyeman.

In it, she tells of failing to land a role as one of Prime Minister Harriet Jones's aides in The Christmas Invasion, and how David Tennant helped soothe her audition nerves when she went for the part of the new companion.

She adds that Billie Piper encouraged her to do things her own way, and says of the difference between her character and Rose: "Billie did a good job, so fair play to her. That character was extremely popular in people's hearts and quite rightly so.

"But the writer, Russell T Davies, has kind of made it easy as the characters are so different. And you can't really compare apples and pears."

The feature finishes by saying that Series Three will start on March 31 at 7pm.

Today's edition of The Sun carries a picture story of Freema Agyeman in character as Martha Jones dressed in combat gear and on late-night manoeuvres.

It says that she was pictured on Whitmore Bay beach while filming with former EastEnders actor Tom Ellis.

According to the Sun story, the third series will start next month, contradicting earlier reports claiming that it will begin on March 31. The BBC has yet to make an official announcement regarding the start date, although mini teaser trailers have started running on BBC1.

There are no spoilers in the article.

The BBC's Doctor Who website released a new official promotional picture today, shown right and captioned "Back with a bang!", as Series Three's start in the UK approaches.

The image - plus other desktop wallpaper - is available via this link.

As reported earlier on Outpost Gallifrey, the new series is set to begin on Saturday, March 31.

Dreamwatch Sci Fi said the BBC confirmed the date to it after Doctor Who Magazine was told the start date would be March 24.

The schedule was apparently changed after Doctor Who Magazine went to print and it was decided BBC One would be screening the England v Israel European Championship football qualifier that Saturday.