Books

At right is a thumbnail-type image of the cover of The Stone Rose by Jacqueline Rayner, due out 13 April. "The Stone Rose" is the only book of the four BBC Books Doctor Who fiction releases that month (which also include "The Resurrection Casket" by Justin Richards, "The Feast of the Damned" by Stephen Cole and "I Am A Dalek" by Gareth Roberts) for which a high-resolution copy of the cover has not yet been released. As soon as it is, we'll let you know.

On Television

Doctor Who was featured on the ITV show 100 Greatest Websearchesthis past Monday. Tracey Ann-Oberman (guest starring in the forthcoming second series) talked about her expectations of the series coming back without Chris Eccleston and said that she'd worried it might not be done well, but in fact it was and she praised the series' return. The piece showed clips (including one from 'Dalek') and also discussed Doctor Who's "cyberspace life" including mentioning the multitude of websites out there on the Internet.

Series Two

icWales today has a brief report on yesteerday's filming at Florentia Street in Cathays, Cardiff (for which we featured two set reports yesterday). "Residents of a city street were faced with a blast from the past when they opened their curtains to see Doctor Who being filmed outside," says the article. "Florentia Street, in Cathays, Cardiff, has been decked out with bunting and turned into a scene from the 1950s. Vintage cars were parked on the street and on a wall was an old advert for HP sauce. Curious passers-by were amazed to see the television series stars Billie Piper and David Tennant and the Tardis itself made an appearance. Evan Chapman, 39, of nearby Tewkesbury Street, who works at the National Museum and Gallery, said: 'I didn't know what was happening so I came down for a look. I'm surprised to see all the bunting, I'd presumed the road was closed for the gas board. It will be curious to see the area on television.' Gareth Jones, 28, from Llanedeyrn, said: 'It's all good fun - although it does look a bit strange.' Florentia Street, which was changed to the fictional Florizel Street, and parts of adjoining Monthermer Road, have been closed to traffic while the filming, due to finish tomorrow, takes place. Diversions have been arranged and traffic is being made to stop for a minute at a time so modern vehicles don't get filmed.'" At left is an image of Billie Piper that was included with the article.

Interestingly, it has been pointed out on our Forum that Florizel Streetwas the original working title for the long-running soap Coronation Street.

Yesterday's South Wales Evening Post said that "Eight youngsters have become the envy of their friends after going on a journey with Doctor Who. They are all taking part in the highly-anticipated second series of BBC Wales's smash hit. The first series, starring Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper, was a regular Saturday night hit. Now youngsters from Neath and Port Talbot will be able to watch themselves on screen in the second series, now being filmed. But despite being understandably excited about their big break, the youngsters cannot say much about it. Such is the secrecy surrounding the smash sci-fi show, they have had to sign confidentiality agreements with the BBC. The second series of the revived drama is due for transmission in the spring, and stars David Tennant as the new Doctor, with Billie Piper returning as Rose. All eight children, whose ages range from nine to 15, are members of the TDM Stage School, which runs classes in both Neath and Port Talbot. It is the latest success for school founder Terry Michael, who has also seen one of his young proteges, Thomas Drewson, appear in new British movie Route 66 and another, Dominic Wood, in an Asda advert. He said: 'I took a group of 25 children up to the Doctor Who auditions and I was really delighted when eight of them were chosen.'"

Miscellaneous

The Sun says that "John Barrowman has blasted the Dancing on Ice judges for talking 's**t' after giving him the chop. In the latest round of bitching to hit the show, he launched a scathing rant after losing a skate-off with Hollyoaks star Stefan Booth. Gay Doctor Who actor John, 38, moaned: 'I gave the judges what they wanted and they slapped me in the face with it. I felt I was wrongly judged. To me, the three judges — Nicky (Slater), Karen (Kresge) and Robin (Cousins) — were just talking s**t.' He also had a dig at Stefan, saying: 'It’s a bitter-sweet thing for him because he’s got a lot of pressure on him now. One of the better skaters has gone and he’s now got to prove that he’s worthy of staying.'" The article says that Barrowman "also had a pop at the other remaining contestants on the ITV1 show: Kelly Holmes, Bonnie Langford, David Seaman, Gaynor Faye and Sean Wilson. He said: 'What may happen now is that it could leave the competition with two skaters who are incapable of doing the Bolero.' However, John, who is due to film Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood as bisexual Captain Jack Harkness, was nice about bitchy judge Jason Gardiner -- a friend of his. Jason told the show’s 11 million viewers Kelly was like a man in drag and accused GMTV weathergirl Andrea McLean of dancing like a 'giraffe having sex'. But John said: 'Jason tells the truth.'"

Another mention of Tom Baker's BT job at icLiverpool.

(Thanks to Matt Gaynor, David Rafer, Peter Weaver, Paul Engelberg and Steve Tribe)

According to a press release from the BBC Press Office, and noted on the official Doctor Who website, the three Tenth Doctor novels expected in April will be published with audiobook versions, and that these will all be read by David Tennant. The CD releases will also feature more than just readings of the novels: the audiobook commissioning editor, Kate Walsh, says that "having David read means we can include some added extras for those interested in hearing more about him, on top of the terrifically exciting stories written by Stephen Cole, Jacqueline Rayner and Justin Richards. They will make fantastic publications!" It says, "Set for release in July, David will start recording next month. The three titles are new adventures for the Doctor and his companion Rose and is the first time David will feature in his role as the Doctor outside of the television series. The CDs will also include special bonus material featuring children from across the UK asking the Doctor everything they've ever wanted to know about life as the Time Lord." The new Doctor Who titles are "The Stone Rose," "The Resurrection Casket," and "The Feast of the Drowned"; Amazon.co.uk released two of the three novel covers last week (and they were subsequently added to our news page).

Due out in April from I.B. Tauris Publishing is Inside the Tardis: A Cultural History of Doctor Who by James Chapman. The book is due to be published in both hardback and paperback and Outpost Gallifrey has this exclusive preview via the cover blurb from the publishers: "With the successful twenty-first-century revival of an old favourite for a new generation of viewers, this is the time to look afresh at one of the great classics of British television. Doctor Who enjoys the distinction of being the longest-running science fiction series in the world; the adventures of everyone’s favourite Time Lord and his many companions, as they battle it out with Daleks, Cybermen and many more intergalactic menaces have become an indelible part of popular culture. In this new study of a television institution – the first to draw extensively on the full riches of the BBC Written Archives – James Chapman explores the history of Doctor Who from its origins to the present day. He shows how the series has evolved to meet changing contexts inside the BBC and in the wider culture, while all the time retaining its quirky, eccentric and distinctively British characteristics. And he demonstrates how the production history of the series has allowed it to renew and refresh its format in response to developments in the wider world of science fiction. Chapman writes from the perspective of a fan as well as a historian: this will be the essential text for all serious Doctor Who aficionados." (Thanks to Steve Tribe)

The publishers of the 1990's magazine "Sci-Fi and Fantasy Models" return this month with a new book, Sci-Fi and Fantasy Modeller, a new 100-page colour softcover book dealing with sci-fi and fantasy themed modelling techniques, from commercially available kits to 'garage' subjects, scratchbuilt models to studio-scale replicas. Mike Tucker, whose model and effects work includes the final years of the classic series and both seasons of the new show, has written a detailed account of the making and filming of the miniature FX for the first season of the new Doctor Who series (accompanied by many rare colour photographs); there's also a look at the history of the Dalek props on television including details of how they were made and modified during the original series' run. The book is published on January 21 and is available through comic stores served by Diamond Distributors in the UK and US as well as on their website. (Thanks to Michael Reccia)

Amazon UK has posted the cover illustration for I Am A Dalek by Gareth Roberts, the "Quick Reads" novelette being published by BBC Books on May 11, 2006. Click on the thumbnail for a larger version. Meanwhile, the cover blurb is below. (Thanks to Steve Tribe)

Amazon is now listing the Tenth Doctor novel to be published by BBC Books next spring written by Gareth Roberts as being called I Am a Dalek. The paperback is due for publication on 11 May and is part of the government-sponsored Quick Reads initiative, designed to encourage literacy among reluctant readers. More information available atQuickReads and Amazon.

April 2006 will see the publication of Inside the Tardis: A Cultural History of Doctor Who by James Chapman. The book covers the show from 1963 through to the current series, and has been researched at the BBC Written Archives Centre. James Chapman is the author of a number of books on cinema and television, including "Licence to Thrill: A Cultural History of the James Bond Films" and "Saints and Avengers: British Adventure Series of the 1960s". Inside the Tardis (which has previously been incorrectly listed on Amazon as Doctor Who - A Cultural History) will be available in hardback and paperback; further details can be obtained from the publisher atibtauris.com. (Thanks to Steve Tribe)

(Thanks to Steve Tribe)