Big Finish goes "Fourth"!

Friday, 22 April 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Big Finish have revealed that Tom Baker's debut adventure with them as the Fourth Doctor got underway today, with the actor performing alongside Louise Jameson, who reprises her role as Leela. Recording commenced at 10:00am this morning, with the photo depicting the duo enjoying the sunny Good Friday morning beforehand.

The first series of six episodes will be available to buy on CD and via download from January 2012, and may be pre-ordered from Big Finish.

The news was first announced last month, with Big Finish clarifying that these adventures are independent to and will not clash with the successful BBC Audio adventures (with Tom Baker teamed with Richard Franklin as Mike Yates).

The actor commented:

In my twilight years, I am looking forward to a tremendous Big Finish and the sooner the better.

Louise Jameson added:

I'm delighted at the possibility of working with Tom again. I've always rated him as a brilliant and unique actor with the most marvellous voice, Big Finish must be over the moon that he has agreed to re-visiting the sci-fi world.

Producer David Richardson has also revealed that the adventures will utilise the 'gothic' wooden console room from Season 14!

FILTER: - Tom Baker - Big Finish

Fans pay tribute to Elisabeth Sladen

Friday, 22 April 2011 - Reported by Marcus

With the sad news of the death of Elisabeth Sladen still raw in many people's minds and so difficult to comprehend, many fans around the world have been making their own tributes to a woman who was such a central part of so many childhoods.

British folk singer Talis Kimberley has recorded her own tribute, Goodnight Sarah Jane, available as a download from her website. Kimberley says "this is my tribute to the actor Lis Sladen. Along with many other people I was desparately saddened to hear of her death; her portrayal of Sarah-Jane Smith was an inspiration during two periods of my life."

Other tracks released include Companion by Parralox and What's the Story Sarah Jane by New Magnet.

The tribute page in Gallifrey Base now stands at over 2000 posts and a special thread has been setup where fans can post their own artwork. Meanwhile a whole new generation of fans have been expressing their sense of loss on the BBC's Newsround page, which has had its biggest response ever to a story covered on the site. Some of the messages from children are read out by the co-stars of The Sarah Jane Adventures, Tommy Knight and Daniel Anthony, who are mourning the loss of the woman they called their "Mother Hen, ...always smiling, always laughing".

Many fans have made their own tribute videos which can be found on YouTube. Dork Tower, the online comic, has also produced its own cartoon in tribute.

A group of fans have launched a JustGiving site raising money for the charity Cancer Research UK, in memory of the actress. To date over £3000 has been raised. Other fans have been donating to the Lymphoedema Support Network, which was understood to be a charity the actress supported. A JustGiving site has been set up to buy an imaginary pint to toast Sarah Jane.

The BBC's programme in memory of Elisabeth Sladen, My Sarah Jane, which contains contributions from many of those who worked with her, can be seen in the UK on CBBC at 6.45pm Saturday, directly after Doctor Who finishes on BBC One.

News links: Obituary, Doctors pay tribute, Elisabeth Sladen Tributes, Press Roundup

FILTER: - People - Obituary - Press - Elisabeth Sladen

BBC America: The Companions

Thursday, 21 April 2011 - Reported by Marcus

BBC America have released another clip from Doctor Who Insider, looking ahead to the new adventures starting this Saturday

BBC America, via YouTube

FILTER: - Series 6/32

Doctor Who Adventures 214

Thursday, 21 April 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

This week's Doctor Who Adventures features a new cover design, and comes with either a free TARDIS money-box or Doctor Who pencil set.

The magazine is also launching a competition to win a Sony Cyber-Shot Camera by submitting a photo of the TARDIS in the "craziest place imaginable", closing date 18th May 2011. (see our earlier article for readers' votes on TARDIS landing sites)

Also in this issue:

Letter from the Doctor
Who’s Who – get up to speed with Doctor Who!
Top secret preview of Episode 1 – The Impossible Astronaut!
Mega Who Win – win over £1,000 of prizes!
Matt Smith interview
AAAGH comic – William and Katie ask the Ood for wedding help!
Meet the monster panel – DWA’s own quality control crew!
We Want Answers – The Doctor Who mysteries we hope they solve this year!
Doctor, Doctor – the Doctor answers YOUR questions!
Silence scares!

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

Issue 214 of Doctor Who Adventures is out in the UK now.

FILTER: - DWA

Olympic TARDIS?

Thursday, 21 April 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

BBC Worldwide have revealed the results of a poll undertaken to see where readers of Doctor Who Adventures would like the TARDIS to land:

Doctor Who fans want to see TARDIS in Olympic adventure

For a machine capable of travelling through time and space in seconds, the 100 metres or high jump should be a breeze for the TARDIS, as a survey of Doctor Who fans reveals the place they would most like to see the time machine land is the Olympic Stadium, Stratford, London.

In a poll of 1,428 BBC Magazines readers, conducted for Doctor Who Adventures Magazine, 21% of respondents said the Olympic Stadium was the place they would most like to see the TARDIS land, beating off competition from the pyramids (13%), with music festival Glastonbury coming third with 11%. This was followed by next weekend’s Royal Wedding (10%) and then the Silverstone Grand Prix (6%).

The new issue of Doctor Who Adventures (214), features a competition for readers to submit photos of the TARDIS in the "craziest place imaginable", with the chance to win a Sony Cyber-Shot camera. Full details of the competition are in the magazine.

Of course, the Doctor has already visited the Olympic Stadium on screen, with his tenth incarnation arriving in time for the Opening Ceremony (Fear Her, 2006). Indeed, it was the Doctor himself who saved the Games by carrying the Torch to its final destination - and lighting the Olympic Flame!

FILTER: - Magazines - Press - DWA - BBC

The Sarah Jane Companion: Volume Two

Thursday, 21 April 2011 - Reported by Marcus

Today sees the release of the latest Doctor Who Magazine Special Edition, which looks in depth at series three and four of The Sarah Jane Adventures.

The Sarah Jane Companion
Volume Two

The ultimate guide to the adventures of the Doctor’s best-loved companion, as played by Elisabeth Sladen.

Written and researched by Andrew Pixley.

Sarah Jane Smith – journalist, mother and friend of the Doctor. Over the last few years, Sarah Jane has been responsible for saving the Earth on countless occasions. With the help of her robot dog K9, her computer Mr Smith, her son Luke, and her young friends Clyde Langer and Rani Chandra, she’s faced a multitude of menaces including Judoon, Shansheeth, Slitheen, the Trickster... even the Mona Lisa! And twice recently, she was visited by the last of the Time Lords, in remarkable adventures that would test her courage to the limit.

Doctor Who Magazine takes you behind the scenes of Series Three and Four of The Sarah Jane Adventures with an in-depth episode guide – including original storylines, deleted scenes, media appearances, ratings information and thousands of facts about the day-to-day life of the making of the award-winning programme – all illustrated with gorgeous, never-before-seen photographs. This collectors’ edition examines Prisoner of the Judoon, The Mad Woman in the Attic, The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith, The Eternity Trap, Mona Lisa’s Revenge, The Gift, The Nightmare Man, The Vault of Secrets, Death of the Doctor, The Empty Planet, Lost in Time and Goodbye, Sarah Jane Smith, as well as the Alien Files, the specially-made trailers and more.

Doctor Who Magazine editor Tom Spilsbury reflects on the sad timing of this particular publication:

Just as it was for everybody else, it was a massive, massive shock on Tuesday evening, when I heard the news of Elisabeth Sladen’s passing. It scarcely seemed possible. It was sadly ironic that we’d just received copies of the latest DWM Special in the office that morning; this one focusing on The Sarah Jane Adventures. I was greatly looking forward to seeing Lis’ reaction to the magazine. She was always so kind in complimenting the work we put into the mag – but in truth we could never do any of it without the huge support of the people who make the programmes. Elisabeth was more generous than anyone in offering up her time for interviews.

This DWM Special Edition is officially published today, and although it certainly wasn’t intended to be a commemoration of Elisabeth’s life and career, I hope people enjoy it, and find comfort in the huge amount of pleasure she gave to millions of viewers – children of all generations. In due course, DWM will be publishing a proper tribute issue, which will look at Elisabeth’s life, with contributions from friends and colleagues.

FILTER: - DWM - Sarah Jane - Elisabeth Sladen

CBBC Elisabeth Sladen tribute programme

Wednesday, 20 April 2011 - Reported by Chuck Foster

The BBC have announced that there will be a special programme broadcast this coming Saturday, called My Sarah Jane: A Tribute to Elisabeth Sladen. The show is due to be shown on the CBBC channel at 6:45pm, directly after Doctor Who finishes on BBC1 and before Doctor Who Confidential on BBC3 at 7:00pm.

Elisabeth Sladen created one of Doctor Who's best loved and most enduring characters, Sarah Jane Smith. For over 35 years she brought the feisty, compassionate journalist to life, creating a figure that was adored by audiences of all ages - truly a heroine whose appeal had no boundaries.

This 15 minute programme is both a tribute and a celebration of Elisabeth Sladen. It brings together stories from friends and colleagues and draws on a rich archive of material to remind us of Sarah Jane's journey, from companion to the Third Doctor to the central character in CBBC's award-winning The Sarah Jane Adventures.

Doctor Who Magazine have also reported that there will be a dedication to the actress at the start of Saturday's episode, The Impossible Astronaut.

FILTER: - Specials - Sarah Jane - Elisabeth Sladen

Doctors Pay Tribute to Elisabeth Sladen

Wednesday, 20 April 2011 - Reported by Marcus

The three surviving actors to play Sarah Jane Smith's "Doctor" have paid tribute to their former co-star Elisabeth Sladen, who died yesterday morning.

Tom Baker

Sarah Jane dead? No, impossible! Impossible. Only last week I agreed to do six new audio adventures with her for Big Finish Productions. She can't be dead. But she is: she died yesterday morning. Cancer. I had no idea she was ill; she was so private, never wanted any fuss, and now, gone. A terrible blow to her friends and a shattering blow for all those fans of the programme whose lives were touched every Saturday evening by her lovely heroic character, Sarah-Jane Smith. ... Those sweet memories of happy days with Lis Sladen, the lovely, witty, kind and so talented Lis Sladen. I am consoled by the memories. I was there, I knew her, she was good to me and I shall always be grateful, and I shall miss her.

Full tribute here

David Tennant

I just can't believe that Lis is gone. She seemed invincible. The same woman who enchanted my childhood, enchanted my time on Doctor Who and enchanted generations who have watched her and fallen in love with her – just like I did. I feel very honoured to have shared a TARDIS with Sarah Jane Smith, and I feel very lucky to have shared some time with Lis Sladen. She was extraordinary.

Matt Smith

What struck me about Lis was her grace. She welcomed me, educated me, and delighted me with her tales and adventures on Doctor Who. And she also seemed to have a quality of youth that not many people retain as they go through life. Her grace and kindness will stay with me because she had such qualities in abundance and shared them freely. I will miss her, as will the world of Doctor Who and all the Doctors that had the good pleasure to work with Lis Sladen and travel the universe with Sarah Jane.

Sixth Doctor Colin Baker has also paid tribute via Twitter:

Very sad to hear of the death of Lis Sladen. Great sympathy for her husband and daughter. She was far too young to be lost to them.

FILTER: - Obituary - Elisabeth Sladen

Elisabeth Sladen Press Roundup

Wednesday, 20 April 2011 - Reported by Marcus

Greatest Doctor Who girl ever, is how the British tabloid The Sun reports the sad death of Elisabeth Sladen yesterday, at the age of 65. The paper reports how Doctor Who fans are in mourning over the loss of one of the most popular actors to have worked on the series. The Guardian confirms the tribute stating Sladen is widely regarded as the most beloved companion in the show's 48-year-history.

BBC News interviewed former Doctor Who showrunner, Russell T Davies, who spoke of her love for the character of Sarah Jane and how devastated the Doctor Who family are at the loss. "It was a joy to know the woman", he said "and an honour to work with her".

Sladen had been suffering with Cancer, something known only to her close family and friends. Davies spoke of her privacy and how she hated any fuss. "She would give me a good nudge in the ribs for talking about her on the Radio" he said. "She was a great great woman and a great actor... If I'm glad about anything in my career I'm so glad we brought her back, so a whole new generation of children could fall in love with her"

The loss has made headlines around the world, reported in publications from the US to Australia and from Canada to New Zealand, with the news trending on Twitter for much of the evening - a number of media articles are listed below.

The BBC's heavyweight news programme Newsnight closed its Tuesday edition with Jeremy Paxman reading a tribute to Sladen and a clip from The Sarah Jane Adventures. The following morning saw a tribute running on BBC Breakfast and the BBC News channel throughout the morning - this is available to watch via the BBC News website. The Classic Doctor Who channel on YouTube features a section highlighting her work on Doctor Who.

Other broadcasters also covered the news, with items running on Sky News, ITV's Daybreak and Lorraine shows, and even on Channel 10's news in Australia.

Many fans and colleagues have also posted tributes, which are reported in our earlier article.

Media Articles: BBC News, Independent, Guardian, Daily Mail, Telegraph, Mirror, Sun, Express, Press Association, BBC America, Entertainment Weekly, ABC News, TVNZ, Variety, Airlock Alpha, Entertainment Weekly, ABC Australia, Den of Geek, CBS News, Digital Spy, NPR, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, AOL, Examiner, Gather, Unreality TV, ATV Today, SFX, TV Guide, TV Overmind, Wired, contactmusic.com, E Online, MTV, Geeks of Doom, UTV, Canadian press, Stuff, eCanada, likeitido, nowpublic, Crave, SheKnows, Nerd Reactor, All Headline News, Courier Mail, Big Shiny Robot, San Antonio Express, gather Celebs, Theatermania, Comic Book Resources, 411mania, Apex News, AV Club, Orlando Sentinel, KSN, KVOS

FILTER: - Obituary - Elisabeth Sladen

Elisabeth Sladen Tributes

Tuesday, 19 April 2011 - Reported by Marcus

Many tributes have been paid Elisabeth Sladen who died earlier today.

Russell T Davies who brought the character of Sarah Jane back to Doctor Who and who later created The Sarah Jane Adventures said: "I absolutely loved Lis. She was funny and cheeky and clever and just simply wonderful. The universe was lucky to have Sarah Jane Smith; the world was lucky to have Lis."

Steven Moffat, Doctor Who's current Lead Writer and Executive Producer said:"Sarah Jane Smith was everybody's hero when I was younger, and as brave and funny and brilliant as people only ever are in stories. But many years later, when I met the real Sarah-Jane - Lis Sladen herself - she was exactly as any child ever have wanted her to be. Kind and gentle and clever; and a ferociously talented actress, of course, but in that perfectly English unassuming way."

John Barrowman, who worked with Sladen on Doctor Who, posted on twitter:"I loved my time on the Tardis with her. I am proud to have worked with such an icon of the sci fi world, your Dr Who family are very sad and will miss you and your beautiful smile."

Keith Jones, Director, BBC Cymru Wales which make The Sarah Jane Adventures, said:"A brilliant presence on screen and on set, she brought the excitement and energy of the Doctor Who family of programmes, of which we are very proud at BBC Wales, to a whole new generation. She will be missed by all at BBC Wales who worked with her."

Damian Kavanagh The Controller of CBBC said :"Lis brought joy, excitement and a sense of wonder to her many fans in her role as Sarah Jane Smith. She was adored by our young audience and I know all of them will miss her as much as I will."

Roger Carey, who represented Lis for many years, said:"She was not just a client, but a dear friend. She was so positive about life and her natural energy was intoxicating. She couldn't believe her luck when her career was resurrected in her own series."

Mary Tamm, who played Romana in the classic series, said: "Sad, sad day. Just heard the news of Elisabeth Sladen's death. I can honestly say she was one of the loveliest women I ever met - beautiful, talented, charming and clever. I was over the moon for her when her career in who was resurrected with the Sarah Jane Adventures; she was brilliant in it. how we will all miss her. Goodbye Liz, you were loved more than you knew, dear friend."

Colin Baker: Very sad to hear of the death of Lis Sladen. Great sympathy for her husband and daughter. She was far too young to be lost to them.

Mark Gatiss: A tear, Sarah Jane?' Farewell to the wonderful, irreplaceable Lis Sladen.

Paul Cornell: Very sorry to hear about Elisabeth Sladen, a great actor, special to everyone of my generation and a whole new one.

Gareth Roberts: Can't really find the words. Goodbye, our wonderful wonderful Lis.

Matthew Graham: Sarah Jane was a childhood pal, a childhood crush, a childhood hero. And she never stopped being. Goodbye Mistress. Xxx

Lizo Mzimba: Very sad news that Elisabeth Sladen has died.

Nicola Bryant: I'm so sorry to have to say I've just had a call to say Liz Sladen has died. It's too much to take in, but it's true. How tragically young.

Phil Ford: Sarah Jane was my Companion as a kid. To later know Lis and write for her and share a laugh with her was a privilege.

Joe Lidster: The last time I saw Lis. http://bit.ly/9uP9QJ The interview shows her fantastic sense of humour & how much she cared about the show. Lovely.

James Moran: Without Elisabeth Sladen, the world is a less magical place. Can't believe she's gone. You'll be missed, Sarah Jane. So much.

Murray Gold: Elisabeth Sladen enchanted three generations, never seeming to age, tire or cloud. RIP

Mark Ayres: Elisabeth Sladen, the actress who played Sarah Jane Smith; friend and colleague. We are in shock. Love to Brian and Sadie. R.I.P. xx

Ed Stradling: V sorry to hear the shock news about Lis Sladen. Here's a very short vid of Lis at her amusing best in 2002 (via YouTube)

Toby Hadoke: I hate today, unbelievable. My eyes are stinging with tears. My children will be devastated tomorrow. By God she was good. RIP Lis Sladen.

Tom Spilsbury: I feel utterly drained. Farewell, Lis - I'm so sorry I didn't have the chance to say goodbye. We'll do you proud in DWM, I promise.

Benjamin Cook: Lovely lady. Met her many times over the years. She was always so kind. Heartfelt condolences to Brian & Sadie. Such sad news.

Clayton Hickman: Will miss Lis Sladen more than I can say. A beautiful person and an outstanding actor. Oh it's all too sad for words.

Gary Gillatt: A hand, tight on your arm; anxious, uncertain. But you're amazing, you would say. Thank you, she'd reply, are you sure? Yes, Lis. Amazing.

Stephen Fry: What terribly sad news about Elisabeth Sladen - her Sarah Jane was part of my childhood. Deepest sympathy to her family.

Noel Clarke #SARAHJANESMITHLIVES because Elisabeth Sladen made her Great. Liz, you were awesome and will be missed

Neil Gorton Big sadness. Rest in Peace

Finn Jones saddened to hear elisabeth sladen has passed away - a truly beautiful, talented and wonderful woman - a pleasure and honour to work with

You can listen to a tribute to Elisabeth Sladen from Russell T Davies via BBC News, and BBC Worldwide have published a YouTube playlist of Sladen's finest moments.

FILTER: - Obituary - Elisabeth Sladen

Previous 10 Stories

Big Finish goes "Fourth"!

Fans pay tribute to Elisabeth Sladen

BBC America: The Companions

Doctor Who Adventures 214

Olympic TARDIS?

The Sarah Jane Companion: Volume Two

CBBC Elisabeth Sladen tribute programme

Doctors Pay Tribute to Elisabeth Sladen

Elisabeth Sladen Press Roundup

Elisabeth Sladen Tributes

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