It's amazing how fast tradition is, isn't it? Christmas, as we know it, only came along with the Victorians, Santa's outfit was popularised by Coca-Cola, and I remember only a few years ago Russell T Davies pointing out all the papers referring to the traditional Doctor Who Christmas special - "It's only the second one!" he laughed. Ah, was the world ever so young? We're days away from the Doctor's seventh Christmas visit, and I'm wondering just why this feels so right. I think, when I was little, the Doctor and Father Christmas lived in the same place in my head - kind, funny lunatics, who looked like grown-up but definitely weren't.

Wake up, open presents, go mental for about four hours, wear and play with said presents, have food, and then watch a Christmas movie like Mary Poppins, The Goonies. I love Home Alone and the Dudley Moore Santa Claus. And Elf - that's amazing! I will definitely watch that this year. When I was a kid, there wasn't really anything we'd all watch regularly like Doctor Who, so it was mostly about films.

Probably the turkey. But if I could have a wish for Christmas it would be a white Christmas like in Doctor Who, so I could go sledging.

K9 series two is still in the works with over half the finance secured, given the world's economic climate that is quite an achievement so far. The new year will see further developments there. Series one has gained momentum in other territories, Russia, Turkey on ATV and the Cartoon Network across Asia and still appears on Disney XD. I can reveal that an upgrade to the new look K9 has been done which we are very happy with.

We have also been very busy with the development of two other TV shows, unrelated to K9, but hopefully fans will like them, news next year on them.

Colin Baker (The Sixth Doctor)
Jack and the Beanstalk, Palace Theatre, Mansfield
Also features Christopher Pizzey (Eddie Smith, The Sarah Jane Adventures)
3rd December - 8th January

Starring Doctor Who's Colin Baker as Fleshcreep, Chris Pizzey (The Basil Brush Show) as Simple Simon, Emma Nowell (Hi-5) and Jack, and Stephen David as Dame Trott.

Colin returns to panto land this Christmas to reprise his acclaimed role as the giant's henchman Fleshcreep.

John Barrowman (Captain Jack)
Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates, Glasgow SECC
17th December - 7th January

Following Aladdin, our 5-star pantomime last Christmas, we are delighted that John Barrowman and The Krankies will return to our stage for the forthcoming pantomime season to lead the cast of the swashbuckling adventure Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates.

John Barrowman is to play the title role of Robinson Crusoe with Glasgow pantomime favourites, The Krankies, to play Captain Crusoe & Jimmy Crusoe!

The use of 3D in Aladdin was such a huge hit with audiences that the show’s producers, Qdos Entertainment - the largest panto producer in the world, are creating brand-new and even more spectacular 3D which will feature in Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates.

Bonnie Langford (Mel)
Jack and the Beanstalk, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
Also features Royce Mills (Dalek voices)
2nd December - 8th January

Following her triumphant success on Broadway starring in Chicago, Surrey-born actress, dancer and entertainer Bonnie Langford will star as Fairy Fuchsia, leading a truly fabulous cast in this year’s magical family pantomime.

Bonnie is joined on stage by one of the country’s top cabaret performers; the inimitable Kit Hesketh-Harvey. Kit has made many appearances on the Yvonne Arnaud stage as one half of the hilarious comedy duo, Kit & The Widow. Guaranteed to make you laugh, he makes his pantomime debut as mischievous Dastardly Dick.

And the boys are back and full of beans! Surrey and Hampshire’s favourite breakfast show host, Eagle Radio’s Peter Gordon in all his regal splendour returns as The King, whilst the multi-talented Lloyd Hollett brings his charm and charisma as Simple Simon and Guildford favourite Royce Mills is ready with his wonderful wardrobe as Dame Trott.

After her enchanting performance as our Aladdin in 2008, Emma Thornett returns to Guildford to play the title role of Jack this Christmas. A hugely talented performer, she created the role of Mary in the original production of David Essex’s All the Fun of the Fair, and starred in Blood Brothers in the West End.

Frazer Hines (Jamie McCrimmon)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Embassy Theatre, Skegness
14th - 31st December

JAMIE MARCUS PRODUCTIONS, well known for its high standards and incredible shows, bring the most magical and spectacular festive pantomime to the Embassy Theatre, Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs

This wonderful well-loved tale, which was made famous by the 1937 Disney film, has all your favourite characters. Can Snow White meet the Prince of her dreams or will the evil Queen stop her? Laugh at the outrageous 'Nurse Knickerbocker' and the very silly 'Muddles', and sing-along with the loveable dwarfs.

For the first time ever in Lincolnshire, the amazing interactive 'Face of the Mirror' comes alive and leaves you spellbound! Will you be the one to ask him a question?

Don't miss the magic!

Introduction by Steven Moffat

The Doctor at Christmas - it always just feels so right. When I was a kid, Santa and the Doctor somehow lived in the same place in my head - two generous madmen that I loved so much. So now that the Doctor is a regular feature of Christmas the world is just that bit more right.

This time we're in England in the 1940s, and recently widowed Madge Arwell hasn't told her children, Lily and Cyril, that their father has died flying his bomber home over the channel, because she doesn't want Christmas to become the day that broke their hearts.

But when they're evacuated to a draughty old house in Dorset for the holidays, and meet a mysterious young caretaker in a bow tie, events take an unexpected turn. What could be inside that big blue parcel under the tree?

Soon the Arwells find themselves in a battle for survival in a magical new land. As ever, at this time of year, the Doctor is trying to make things right, and as always it doesn't go according to plan. But maybe he's reckoned without the power of a determined mother.

This Christmas, it might just be the lonely Time Lord who's shown the way home.

Interview with Matt Smith

The Doctor, The Widow and The Wardrobe is Matt Smith’s second Christmas outing as the Doctor and this time he doesn’t have his trusted companions, ‘The Ponds’, by his side. However, it hasn’t stopped him relishing in another Christmassy adventure and here he reveals what Doctor Who has in store for festive viewers.

Doctor Who and Christmas go hand in hand don’t they? laughs Matt Smith as he sits down to discuss the special episode of Who, penned by Steven Moffat. It’s a brilliant and touching story about a family who have experienced a tragic event and in many ways they’ve had Christmas stolen from them.

Smith reveals that Madge Arwell and her two young children, Lily and Cyril, have been evacuated during the Blitz to a ramshackled old house in the country where the Doctor has taken up residence as caretaker. The Doctor, in a very ‘Doctory’ way, tries to bring Christmas spirit and cheer back into their lives, explains Smith. “He has ‘Doctorified’ the house so to speak and there’s a magical present under the Christmas tree which is a portal to another world. Cyril enters it and discovers an enchanting landscape that encapsulates the beauty, danger and madness that is Doctor Who at Christmas.

So will viewers be cowering behind their turkey and stuffing sandwiches on Christmas Day? Well there are two scary characters that live in a huge tower and move in a very strange and menacing way, confides Smith with a conspiratorial grin. I also really enjoyed making this episode because the characters unfold in a subtle way and you never quite know what’s waiting around the corner. I also loved working with the guest cast who all seemed to have a whale of a time.

The Doctor has had many festive adventures over the years but what are Smith’s favourite Christmas memories? The best present I’ve ever had was a snooker table when I was a kid, he reveals, although my SEGA Mega Drive came close! I also used to love getting pyjamas and wearing them all day. Plus my granddad absolutely hates dressing gowns so it’s become a family tradition for us to buy him one every year and it always makes me laugh.

And Matt Smith’s recipe for the perfect Christmas?

Family; everyone happy, healthy and together with lots of food, presents and good TV. Oh and football on Boxing Day! I’m really hoping for a white Christmas but if I couldn’t have a traditional Christmas I’d spend it somewhere really warm like South America or Australia and have a barbecue on the beach.

Interview with Claire Skinner

Who do you play in the Christmas Special?
I play a character called Madge Arwell who, first and foremost, is a mother. It just informs everything about her character. What I found attractive about the role is that she’s warm and a thoroughly decent woman, as well as being quite straight down the line. In the episode she gets tested and challenged and it’s interesting to see how she handles different things and adapts to various situations for the sake of her children.

What was it like working with Matt Smith?
Lovely! A really nice experience. He’s thoroughly charming, good fun and has loads of energy.

What about the other guest stars?
I’ve worked with Alexander Armstrong before, so it was great to see him again. We’ve actually been fishing together! Bill Bailey is just completely brilliant; a really nice, natural and funny bloke. And the children as well. Maurice and Holly were just delightful, completely lovely.

Are you a fan of Doctor Who?
Yes for several reasons actually. My son watches it, my husband has directed it before and my father in-law was in an episode. It’s a nice connection to have.

How did it feel being cast in such an iconic show?
I was very excited to be in it, both because it’s Doctor Who and also a great script. When I got the call I was like “Yay, at last I’m going to be in Doctor Who.”

How did you find filming on location?
We shot some scenes outside in a public space and it was an unusual experience acting in front of huge crowds of people who had come to watch. I had to drive a car down the road, which took about 500 takes, and they applauded my driving each time. It was lovely, but I hadn’t been quite ready for that.

What do you think is the scariest Doctor Who monster of all time?
It’s not exactly a monster, but the creepy people in the gas masks in series one were pretty scary. They definitely freaked both my children out at the time.

What will you be doing on Christmas day?
I will be with my family and my husband’s family; a traditional Christmas. We’ll of course be watching Doctor Who.

What other Christmas TV do you like?
I like traditional comedy; I’m such a fan of Morecambe and Wise. We’ve got the box set, so we always get that out at Christmas.

Interview with Alexander Armstrong

What can you reveal about your character?
I play Reg Arwell, who is a bomber pilot in the Second World War. We witness him flying over the channel and all the navigation equipment completely stops working. It doesn’t look good for him! His wife Madge then receives a slip of paper saying that a ‘Reg’ is missing and presumed dead. Their two children hope that their Daddy is going to be back for Christmas and that’s when the Doctor gets involved to return a favour to Madge as she helps him out at the very beginning of the episode.

Did you enjoy working with your co-stars?
Amazing. Lovely to work with Claire Skinner again, I did a drama with her called Life Begins a couple of years ago. But the real treat was working with Matt, who’s just a tremendously fine fellow and an excellent person to hang out on set with. As you can imagine, there’s an awful lot of time between takes and I can think of few nicer people to spend time with than Matt.

Doctor Who will soon be celebrating its 50th anniversary. Are you a fan?
It’s something I’ve always wanted to be in and there really isn’t another show like Doctor Who. The heritage of it is amazing and when the BBC got it going again it suddenly took on a whole new life. It has all the charm and ingenuity of the first incarnation but it also has Russell and now Steven’s really current TV brains behind it, people who are so literate in really good television that gets you thinking. With Christopher, David and now Matt, this Doctor Who has kind of gone nuts. I mean my Doctor Who when I was young was Tom Baker, I loved Tom Baker, everyone did, but the Doctor these days has taken on a sort of rock star status.

Did you enjoy filming in Cardiff?
Brilliant, it was lovely. It was a fantastic journey out of Cardiff down to the studio – a really beautiful part of Wales. We filmed in an amazing Victorian castle looking right out on the Gower peninsular. It was absolutely stunning.

What will you be doing on Christmas day?
Entertaining children, trying to keep a lid on sugary treats and desperately rationing presents because our children got high on them last year. Also, we will of course be watching Doctor Who. I really hope it’s another cold Christmas; I loved the cold winter last year. A bit of snow and a bit of sledging – it’ll be great.

Kimberley Ritchie: Being a viewer of Doctor Who Confidential made me realise how much I wanted to go into TV production as a career. I've recently begun a course. I hope you take into account the efforts we're all putting in to try to save something we love.

Doctor Who Confidential was a brilliant series that we made six series of. It's a show about the making of another show - Doctor Who - and there are only so many ways explaining how a show is made, and in these straightened times when BBC3 is actually cutting its budget we have to prioritise the shows that we think are most important to our viewers. Doctor Who Confidential was a great show, but after six series we think that it had a very good go explaining how to make Doctor Who.

That's absolute nonsense, there is no finished programme sitting on a shelf. That show, however, was made for lots of different people, so for DVD and for BBC Worldwide, and there was some footage, which was about ten minutes, which will end up going online - but there's definitely not a finished show.