Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy have been named as special guests at the fund-raising convention Nor-Con later this year. The event, to be held at the Holiday Inn Norwich North in Hellesdon, Norfolk, takes place on Sunday 2nd September. Money raised will go to local charities. [Norwich Evening News, 8 Mar 2012]

John Barrowman has won a leading role in a drama pilot for ABC called Gilded Lilys. He will play Julius Ashford Lily in the show, described as "an upstairs-downstairs look at the opening of the first true luxury hotel built in New York City circa 1895." [TV Guide, 6 Mar 2012]

Suranne Jones, Tom Ellis, David Warner, Sarah Smart, and Donald Sumpter are to star in the modern-day ghost story The Secret Of Crickley Hall on BBC One this autumn. James Herbert's novel has been adapted by Joe Ahearne, who will also be directing it. Filming on the three-part drama begins this month in and around the Manchester area. Jones said: "The Secret Of Crickley Hall is a classic haunted house spine chiller. With an emotional family story at its heart, Joe Ahearne has adapted the novel perfectly, and I am really excited about working with him as a director. It's a great cast and I am looking forward to working with David Warner, Donald Sumpter, and Tom Ellis." Ahearne said: "Everyone loves a good ghost story and James Herbert is an iconic writer in the genre. He's come up with a really thrilling and moving story that delights you while it's terrifying you. It's a testament to his craft that we've attracted such a great cast to play the characters he created."[BBC Media Centre, 7 Mar 2012]

Starting on Monday 12th March, Suranne Jones is reunited with Lesley Sharp for a second series of the crime drama Scott and Bailey in which they play two CID officers in the Major Incident Team of the fictional Manchester Metropolitan Police. The eight-episode show airs on ITV1 at 9pm.

Lily Cole is to front a series in which she interviews leading artists. The model and actress was awarded a double first in art history at King's College, Cambridge University, last year. Lily Cole's Art Matters will air on Sky Arts this autumn. [Press Association, 7 Mar 2012]

Richard Hope is currently appearing in Democracy, a play by Michael Frayn, at Sheffield's Crucible. When asked about his surprise reappearance in last year's finale, he said: "I play a character who I thought was killed off, but obviously audience research brings you back. You're not meant to talk about that sort of thing but I haven't disappeared so it's quite nice." The play ends its run on 31st March. [The Star, 8 Mar 2012]

Tony Curran has been signed up to appear in the new Syfy US series Defiance. The show sees humans and aliens co-existing on a future Earth that has been devastated by wars and changed by alien terra-forming machines. It is understood that production starts in Toronto next month. [SFX, 9 Mar 2012]

Prosthetics wizard Neill Gorton is involved in the make-up for the 25th anniversary touring production of The Phantom of the Opera. John Owen-Jones, who shares the title role with Earl Carpenter, said of the make-up: "It takes two hours but we hope to get it down to one." The show is currently previewing at the Theatre Royal Plymouth, where it officially opens on March 17th. After ending there on 31st March it moves on to Manchester's Palace Theatre, the Bristol Hippodrome, Dublin's Grand Canal Theatre, Leeds Grand Theatre, Edinburgh Playhouse (where Earl Carpenter takes over the title role a third of the way through the run), Milton Keynes Theatre, and the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton, with more dates to be announced. [Wales Online, 9 Mar 2012]

Mekhi Phifer has changed allegiances for his next role, switching from the CIA in Torchwood: Miracle Day to the FBI in White Collar. The actor appears in series four of the USA Network show as agent Kyle Collins, who is described as "the bureau's top international fugitive-hunting specialist". The ten-episode series will air this summer. [Entertainment Weekly, 9 Mar 2012]

Reggie Yates is to front a BBC Three documentary series bringing together six youngsters with Tourette syndrome for a one-off live musical performance. The series, which has the working title of Tourettes: Let Me Entertain You, is a follow-up to the channel's documentary I Swear I Can Sing, which aired last December. A transmission date is yet to be announced. [BBC Media Centre, 9 Mar 2012]

Liza Tarbuck has been given her own show on BBC Radio 2. She will join the station on May 12 as presenter of the Saturday evening slot from 6pm to 8pm, replacing Alan Carr. Tarbuck has regularly deputised on Radio 2 programmes since 2007. [BBC Media Centre, 8 Mar 2012]

Colin Baker and Frazer Hines have been added to the list of star names appearing at the BritSciFi Weekend taking place at the National Space Centre in Leicester tomorrow and Sunday.

The event is a celebration of TV programmes such as Doctor Who, Blake's 7, Red Dwarf, and Thunderbirds.

As previously reported, other guests with a Doctor Who connection appearing at the event are visual effects designer Mat Irvine and actors Shane Rimmer and David Graham (although the centre is emphasising Rimmer and Graham's Thunderbirds link).

Daleks will also be in attendance, as will the Hyde Fundraisers voluntary group, who will be creating a Doctor Who walk-through experience in the venue's Challenger Centre, with creepy encounters featuring some monstrous creatures from Doctor Who. It will feature light, smoke, and sound effects not suitable for very young children. Tickets for the encounter are available on a first-come, first-served basis for performances each day.

In addition, David J Howe, the co-founder and editorial director of Telos Publishing, who has written a number of books about Doctor Who and owns one of the largest collections of Doctor Who merchandise in the world, will be there.

All the money from the BritSciFi weekend will go to charity, including Children In Need.

(NB: Attendees should ensure that the guests they want to see will be there on the day that they wish to go, as not all the guests will be there on both days.)

(With thanks to Kevin Taylor)

Cast and Crew:

The two episodes currently being directed by Saul Metzstein have been confirmed by Doctor Who Magazine as episode two by Chris Chibnall, and a wild-west themed episode three by Toby Whithouse. The cast for Chibnall's episode included the previously announced Mark Williams, Rupert Graves, and David Bradley, and joining Rob Cavazos for episode three are:

Adrian Scarborough Adrian Scarborough is listed by agent Curtis Brown as playing Kahler Jax. Scarborough has appeared in a number of prominent roles on television, having appeared as Mr Jolly in Psychoville, Pete in Gavin and Stacey, Mr Johnson in Cranford, and most recently as Mr Pritchard in Upstairs Downstairs. He has also appeared in films such as Vera Drake and Elizabeth: The Golden Years, and featured as a BBC Radio Announcer in The King's Speech. This won't be his first role in the Doctor Who world, having played Rupert von Thal in Big Finish's The Boy That Time Forgot.

Dominic Kemp Dominic Kemp is listed by agent Sainou as playing Kahler-Mas. Kemp has appeared in guest roles in a number of television dramas, including Waking the Dead, Wire in the Blood, Moses Jones (featuring Matt Smith) and most recently in the Christmas special of Downton Abbey. Film-wise, he appeared in Miss Potter, and will be seen with former Doctor Christopher Eccleston in the forthcoming Song for Marion.

Ben Browder Ben Browder has been confirmed by Doctor Who Magazine. Browder is no stranger to the sci-fi genre, having played John Crichton in Farscape and Cameron Mitchell in Stargate SG1. More recently he has appeared in Chuck and will shortly play Nick Naught in Naught for Hire.

The character being played by Mark Williams has now been revealed, according to his online CV.

The second recording block, which comprises two episodes by Steven Moffat, will be directed by Nick Hurran, who filmed last year's The Girl Who Waited and The God Complex.

On Location:

If you've ever wondered what a casting call can look like, here's a number of Doctor Who hopefuls in Almeria, Spain queuing up to audition as extras for the episode that would be filmed there - the process of which was politely described as 'chaotic'!

Filming itself kicked off on the 7th at the Oasys Parque Temático del Desierto de Tabernas in the Almeria region. The resort is set in the only European desert, and provides a number of themed areas such as an aquatic zone, wildlife park, and of more interest to Doctor Who of course, a Western theme town known as "Mini Hollywood". The area has played host to a number of renowned films, like The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, Lawrence of Arabia, and Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade.

In The Media/The Rumour Zone:

Executive Producer Caroline Skinner commented in the latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine on reading the opening script for the new series: "Once I'm finally on the plane into Heathrow I re-read Steven's scary, thrill-ride of an opening episode. There I am, gasping and laughing away to myself, and kinda wishing planes had sofas - because if there'd been a sofa on this one, I would've hidden behind it."

Today's Sun carries an item on filming in Spain, courtesy of the ubiquitous 'insider':
The paper has also suggested the adversary up against the Doctor:

The new Doctor Who Magazine (out Thursday) sees Sophie Aldred take a candid look back at her time on the show:
Also in this issue:

• Doctor Down Under - Executive producer Caroline Skinner tells DWM about her recent trip Down Under for the Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular and her reaction on reading the script for Episode 1 of the new series, in her first Production Notes.
  
• Keep It In The Family - DWM catches up with the scourge of the Silents, CIA agent Canton Everett Delaware III – aka actors Mark Sheppard and his father, Morgan Sheppard – and finds out about making it as an actor and whether Canton could return.
• It's The Key Thing! - DWM celebrates 1978/9's Key To Time season: six linked adventures that introduced Time Lady Romana and featured Douglas Adams's first script for Doctor Who, as Countdown To 50 continues.
• The Fall Of The Gods? - With the Doctor at the mercy of the mighty Zeus, and with Rory and Amy facing a titanic foe in ancient Athens, what can humble philosopher Socrates do to save the day? Find out in the final, world-changing episode of the latest comic strip, The Chains of Olympus, written by Scott Gray, with art by Mike Collins.
• The Last Voord! - Get ready for adventures within adventures, as the First Doctor and his companions brave screaming jungles, snows of terror and seas of acid! Discover a wealth of fascinating new info as The Fact of Fiction scrutinises the 1964 story The Keys of Marinus.
• Changing History For The Better . . . ? - Doctor Who fans are spoilt with the care and attention that is lavished on the DVD releases. But as well as being lovingly restored, should the stories be improved, correcting technical "errors" of the past? Sparring partners Toby Hadoke and Johnny Candon argue whether rewriting history is ever justified, in A Battle of Wits.
• Chaos In The Classroom - The Time Team go back to school with the Tenth Doctor and Rose and are reacquainted with two dear old friends – Sarah Jane Smith and K-9. Join Chris, Emma, Will, and Michael on the sofa and see what they make of 2006's School Reunion.
• Off The Record! - The Watcher challenges readers with The Six Faces of Delusion, celebrates another Supporting Artist of the Month, and continues A History of Doctor Who In 100 Objects with a look at the extraordinary 1985 single Doctor In Distress, in Wotcha!
  

PLUS! All the latest official news, TV and merchandise reviews, previews, competitions, a prize-winning crossword, and more.

Behind The Sofa is a collection of over 100 celebrity memories of Doctor Who, compiled by Steve Berry, with all profits from the book going to Alzheimer’s Research UK, which funds research into finding a cure for dementia.

Contributors to the book include:

The book is illustrated by Ben Morris, who has contributed to Doctor Who Magazine and Doctor Who Adventures.


The standard book will be available to purchase as a limited edition both in a hard-cover and as an e-book. Limited advance copies can now be pre-ordered, with additional packages available: along with a free copy of the e-book, Supporters will also be listed in the acknowledgements for the Ogron package (200 copies), and additionally receive a signed print of one of Ben Morris's illustrations for the book if purchasing the Slitheen package (100 copies); a Sponsor package, Zygon (10 copies), also allows the inclusion of a company graphic or sponsor message in the acknowledgements.

The book is due to be published in September - full details and information on how to pre-order can be found via the book's official website.

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

---

---

Full Gallifrey One review here.