Martin Montague, Presentation Producer at BBC7 Radio, contacted us regarding our story the other day to clarify some of their plans to celebrate the 40th anniversary. "From Wednesday 19th November," said Montague, "we'll be re-airing the Jon Pertwee stories on weeknights at 6pm and midnight, starting with THE PARADISE OF DEATH and running through to the end of THE GHOSTS OF N-SPACE. Meanwhile, SLIPBACK will be repeated on Saturday nights at 1840 - straight after the THE TWILIGHT ZONE - and again at 0040 Saturday night / Sunday morning. We're airing this serial as 3x 20'00" episodes (it was originally aired as 6x 10'00" episodes). Non-UK listeners can find us at www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7. Incidentallt, we're also carrying 'cross-trails' for the BBCi webcast, so anyone wanting to hear REG [Richard E. Grant] as the Doctor can hear the first 'sneak preview' this Sunday night, just before midnight. (There are other previews leading up to the 'transmission' of the first episode)." Thanks to Martin for letting us know!

The Scottish Sunday Herald newspaper featured four articles on Doctor Who in the November 9 edition, just in time for the anniversary. You can read them online as well... Included were "Forty Years of Time Travel" by BBC Books range editor Justin Richards (here), an article on fandom & the recent Panopticon called "A Strange Meeting with the Fans" by Katy McAulay (here), a feature interview with Sylvester McCoy called "How a Scot Breathed Life Back Into the Doctor" by Louise Bell (here), and "Animated Personality" by Edd McCracken, on BBCi's upcoming webcast (here). (Thanks to Scott Wortley, Neil Smith)

Another rumour surrounding the choice of the new Doctor for the next television series appeared in the "Daily Mirror" (Page 14 in The Scurra column, to be precise) on Monday November 3. The article stated the following: "Television executives flying back from New York the other day were, I am told, discussing who they would most like to appear in their new Dr Who series. Rowan Atkinson, expect the call any day now." (Thanks to Terry Francis)

Digital radio station BBC7 has been running a trailer stating that Doctor Who's 40th anniversary will be celebrated as part of their 7th Dimension sci-fi slot. Nothing on what precisely will be broadcast, though we expect the Pertwee radio serials (at least "The Paradise of Death") would be a reasonable bet. BBC7 has run "Paradise," the sequel radio drama "The Ghosts of N-Space" and the Colin Baker serial "Slipback" before. (Thanks to Andrew Foxley)

At this past weekend's Panopticon convention, Paul McGann was asked if, should he be approached, he would indeed reprise the role of the Doctor in the new series. However, he later emphasized that he hasn't been asked, and despite reports on other websites to the contrary, there are no plans to do so; indeed, we've been told specifically that it will be a new actor, to take the show in 'new directions'.

Colin Baker appeared on Midlands Today on local BBC Television in the UK on October 29 to promote his role in this autumn's HMS Pinafore. "Fantastic - the backs of sofas, which haven't been visited by children much in the last 15 years, are going to be busy," Colin said. "We're moving ours away from the wall in readiness. A whole new generation have their own Doctor about to happen." When questioned on who should be the new Doctor, Colin said that, although all the previous Doctors had been men, he thought it feasible that part of the Doctor would be in touch with his feminine side -- and he suggested comedy actress Dawn French (of "The Vicar of Dibley", "French and Saunders") would be a good choice. "She'd be a fab Doctor. Her endearing naughtiness would fill those shoes rather well.... I've got a horrible feeling they'll play safe, and get one of the names that you've mentioned." Baker also pointed out that his character had been "promoted beyond his own incompetence" and had a quick dig at the BBC by saying he believed that some people there were very similar! (Thanks to Scott Hughes, Nick Headley)

The new issue of SFX Magazine features an interview with Russell T. Davies, the man behind the rebirth of Doctor Who. "Well, I canÆt say too much and itÆs television, so anything can go wrong, but at the end of August they approached me!" says Davies, who notes that he will begin writing the series starting in January, and only after that will there be any decision on who plays the Doctor. He says he's "ruling nothing out: if, when he comes to write it, a complete reboot seems the only way around to make a new series work, that's what he'll do, but he has yet to start so that's a 'not ruled out' rather than a statement of intent." Davies also notes that the BBC may be pushing for an earlier launch than 2005; he mentions Autumn 2004 as a time that's been mentioned although he clearly believes this would be too early. He also notes that series executive producer Julie Gardner is currently viewing several Doctor Who stories to show her the best moments of the past, and what they may face in future. "IÆll bring back the Nimon and the Garm!" Davies jokes. Pick up the latest issue of SFX for the full feature. (Thanks to SFX, Steve O'Brien, Guy Clapperton)

New rumors abound over the past few days but Outpost Gallifrey has learned that the current plan is to feature twelve 45-minute episodes for the new series, specifically six two-parters. Russell T. Davies will produce and contribute several stories but will likely not write all six tales. Meanwhile, other sources have confirmed what we've suspected for some time: there were no plans to announce the show until at least the anniversary later in November, or even early in 2004, but the announcement was brought forward when BBC-1 controller Lorraine Heggessey (we love 'er!) made it public in the interview she conducted with the British press.

A new press release from BBC Worldwide discusses branding and licensing issues for several of their products in 2004, including Doctor Who. "One of the BBC's best-loved cult sci-fi programs last seen on British TV in 1989," says the release, "Doctor Who celebrates its 40th Anniversary in November 2003. There continues to be a huge market for Doctor Who-related products and merchandise; already during the anniversary year, BBC Video and DVD total sales passed the three million mark. BBC Audio Books has sold more than 250,000 audios across 42 titles and BBC Books will have published over 100 original Doctor Who novels making the series the largest ever book range built around a single principal character. To commemorate Dr Who's 40th anniversary, BBC Worldwide has developed an anniversary logo for use on all related merchandise along with a style guide. BBC Worldwide is looking to work with licensees to develop a range of Doctor Who merchandise to complement the comprehensive range of published products in audio, book, video/DVD, magazine, music and internet form launching throughout 2003 and beyond." Of course, that anniversary logo they mention is the same one you can find on a number of products... and even here at Outpost Gallifrey, on the very top of this page. In a totally different press release, Ashley Highfield, Director of BBC New Media & Technology, gave a speech at Westminster Media Forum on the Department for Culture, Media & Sport review of BBC online services, where the show was mentioned: "Take Dr Who, for example, where we have developed an animated series using never-before-broadcast radio scripts from the likes of the late Douglas Adams. These have kept the Doctor alive for quarter of a million die-hard fans who will finally be rewarded when Dr Who returns to BBC ONE." (Thanks to Steve Tribe)

Channel 4's 100 Greatest Scary Moments finally aired and Doctor Who made the cut twice. At #39, Doctor Who: Daleks: "Despite Doctor Who creator Sydney Newman promising that Doctor Who wouldn't have any 'bug eyed monsters', four weeks into its run the British public were introduced to the Daleks. Perhaps the Daleks' scariest moment was actaully their first appearance when viewers caught a glimpse of an advancing Dalek, as yet unseen. All we saw was something like a sink plunger, and then the look of horror and screams of Dr Who's companion Barbara as the episode ends." And at #54, Doctor Who: Opening Titles: "The theme music and titles from Doctor Who were always so evocative that even the first bars of the music would send children hiding behind the sofa at the beginning and end of this popular children's drama. The music was composed by Ron Grainer and created by Delia Derbyshire of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. Bernard Lodge created the swirling images for the titles which married so well with the music." (Thanks to Gerald Lea)