Billie Piper will be a guest on ex-husband Chris Evans' new chat, OFI Sunday, show this Sunday night at 10:30pm on ITV1. "Chris Evans presents this live entertainment show which makes the most of the disappearing weekend. The presenter is joined by celebrity guest Billie Piper, who also happens to be his ex-wife, for games, chat and music. The latest gadgets are reviewed and a classic car is up for grabs in Laid Up - the only game show on TV for competitors who are injured."

UTV notes that, as follow up to the auction of a Dalek at Bonhams mentioned in yesterday's press clips news report, the final tally on the Dalek sold at the auction house was £36,000... more than three times what was expected. "The Dalek Supreme, from the 1970s series of Dr Who, was brought by communications agency Indeprod at a charity auction in aid of the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children. ... The Dalek was made from welding together the top half of another Dalek from a 1960s series of Dr Who and the bottom of one used in a BBC exhibition. It was expected to fetch between £7,000 and £10,000. The Dalek Supreme met its end in the Destiny of the Daleks in 1979 when it was blown up by a pyrotechnic flash - scorch marks are still visible under its interior seat. The prop was later used in Madame Tussaud`s Waxworks Museum for a Dr Who exhibition in 1980. A spokesperson for Indeprod said: 'We are delighted to have acquired a Dalek. We shall place it in our reception area for all to see and enjoy. We have been after a Dalek for years and this seemed to be the perfect opportunity, especially as the proceeds will go to the Great Ormond Street Hospital. We are also very pleased that the Dalek will stay in the country.' Auctioneers Bonhams claim the Dalek was quoted as saying: 'I am so relieved that I have found a new home without the risk of extermination, although I had dreamt of living with Billie Piper.'" Also covered at BBC News.

This weeks edition of The Pink Paper, #887, the UK's longstanding free LGB community newspaper, features a two page interview with Russell T Davies and producer Phil Collinson, covering RTD's attitudes to sexuality and the media, the new approach to Who, why Who has so many gay fans and the character of Captain Jack. They're also giving away 3 DVD sets of series one!

Other news clips: Monsters and Critics has a brief story about Charlotte Church which mentions "Torchwood" (since the early reports that she would be in the show, producers have denied them); SyFyPortal covers the Billie Piper issue, quoting from Outpost Gallifrey's news pages; Brand Republicnotes that Carphone Warehouse will sponsor Chris Evans' new ITV chat show which debuts with his ex-wife Billie Piper as his first guest

(Thanks to Paul Engelberg, Andrew Harvey, Matt Dale, Chris Hinchley)

Paul McGann narrates "War Of The Worlds - The Real Story" on the UK National Geographic Channel, Sunday 13th November at 22.00, Monday 14th November at 21.00 and Friday 18th November 16.00. "Paul McGann (the eighth Doctor) is to narrate the history of what happened when Orson Welles broadcast a spoof alien invasion programme on US radio. On October 30, 1938, Orson Welles put on a dramatic, very well acted radio play that put the nation into a perilous frenzy. And so began the biggest controversy of the decade as millions of Americans shrieked in terror as to what they thought was the World coming to an end! It changed how we approached radio and television forever. An industry was also born including movies (Tom Cruise), books and Jeff Wayne’s seminal album (narrated by Richard Burton). In this one-hour long special, Jeff Wayne talks about the phenomenon that terrified a nation and that inspired his recording. Also popular commentator, Mark Webster delivers his revealing insights into the radio production that shocked the world. This programme examines the frailty of the World in 1938, its real horrors, and the fallout of Welles popularity in which he never recovered. The real horror of the 1930’s only escalated with this broadcast. The World was about to enter into a new phase of terror in which the War Of The Worlds Mercury Theatre broadcast was simply the metaphor of what was to come – World War II and the rise of the Third Reich. This programme explains much of the hysteria caused by this broadcast, the scandal that followed, and the question of whether it could ever happened again." (Thanks to Marc Ollington)

Volume 5 of MJTV Productions' The Actor Speaks series of audio recordings will be released on 1 December 2005.Louise Jameson (Leela) is the featured interviewee for the audio, which includes interviews, monologues and readings. More details are available at the MJTV website.

Tracy Ann Oberman, soon to be seen in episodes 5 and 6 of the new series, will be a guest on ITV1's Paul O'Grady show on Thursday 3 November (starting at 5pm).

According to reports at Channel 4 and ITN, "Billie Piper is apparently putting herself in the frame to become the next Bond girl. The Dr Who star is said to be taking a few days off filming to meet producers, currently gearing up to shoot Casino Royale. If Billie can persuade them to let her have a role, she will be lining up next to the new 007 Daniel Craig. A source told a newspaper: 'She's very excited about making it to the big screen.'" Yahoo News UK has also reported the story.

Billie Piper is one of the cover stars of the new edition of the "Radio Times", out this week. She is the centrepiece of a cover highlighting the leading ladies of BBC One's new series of modern Shakespeare adaptations, which begin with "Much Ado About Nothing" on Monday, in which Piper co-stars as Hero. A version is available online on the Radio Timeswebsite. Inside the magazine, there is a further photospread of the female stars on pages 12 and 13. In the accompanying feature, they all talk about their characters, and Piper says: "I was thrilled to find out that Hero, in this version, makes such a liberating choice in the end... She starts out very green, very young, but in the course of the play, she becomes more certain of who she is. The original Hero just wouldn't sit happily in the 21st century, for the simple reason that it's acceptable and expected now for young girls to be their own people." "Much Ado About Nothing" is one of Monday's main choices on the TV page, with TV editor Alison Graham saying that: "It doesn't matter if you're unfamiliar with the original play, as this version stands up well in its own right, and fizzes along with plenty of humour and sexual tension". TheGuardian also features a story about the BBC's Shakespeare updates coming this year, including mentioning Billie Piper's role in them.

BBC News notes Chris Evans "is suing a national newspaper for libel over a story about his split with wife Billie Piper. The BBC Radio 2 DJ's solicitor has begun proceedings against the Daily Star newspaper. It claimed Mr Evans gave it an exclusive interview where he blamed the BBC series Doctor Who - in which Ms Piper stars - for the break-up. Mr Evans said the story was 'completely fabricated'. The Daily Star has not responded to his allegation."

The 29 Oct - 4 Nov issue of Heat magazine has a preview of Christmas tv shows and reports that 'The BBC will have a festive Doctor Who on Christmas night,' though it's unclear if this is just a guess or based on inside info. (Outpost Gallifrey still believes the episode will show on Christmas Day.)

December's edition of Empire magazine lists "The Top 50 DVD Box Sets You Must Own", in which Dr Who Season 1 comes in at a respectable 18 - behind Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, James Bond and Harry Potter, but ahead of Blackadder, Back to the Future, Little Britain and The West Wing. Its 3-out-5-star rating is a little disappointing, but also apparently arbitrary given that it bears no relation to its place in the top 50, and that some of the same box-sets are reviewed elsewhere in the same magazine with different ratings.

The official Doctor Who website has solicited pictures of kids' Halloween costumes based on Doctor Who, and has also printed BBC Worldwide's current Doctor Who catalog.

People and Planet reports that Christopher Eccleston is supporting a pledge to help reduce Manchester's greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent before 2010, as part of a city-wide campaign on climate change, entitled "Manchester is my Planet (MIMP)". "Campaign organisers have estimated the amount of carbon dioxide savings pledged by Mancunians so far equals around 22,400 tonnes per year - that's enough CO2 to fill more than 20,000 hot air balloons, or 15 billion empty wine bottles. With support from a host of universities, large companies, radio stations and major sports clubs, eco-friendly citizens have taken the MIMP pledge via the campaign's website, www.manchesterismyplanet.com or by text message, through postcards and at street-level events that have taken place during September and October."Manchester Online also notes that Eccleston is "backing a campaign for wind turbines to be placed around the M60."

icWales talks about the recent Russell T Davies signing of the "Shooting Scripts" book in Cardiff. "TV Studies student Ross Garner, 22, of Eclipse Street, Adamsdown, was one of those in the queue outside Waterstones, in The Hayes, hoping to get some advice from the award-winning scriptwriter. 'I'd like to get into writing in one shape or form, maybe even on Dr Who itself,' he said. 'I have a few ideas and want to ask Russell for a few tips.' Ross was at a recent BBC Wales Children In Need event, where he met Dr Who stars Billie Piper and David Tennant. Also at the party was fan Jonathan Burnside, who travelled from Bristol for Saturday's signing. 'He's produced such terrific scripts and updated the programme to make it an enormous success,' he said. 'He has created fantastic characters, like Rose and her mum. I've been a fan of the show since I was eight and hope to still be when I'm 80.' Fans Sarah Williams and Paul Spiteri, both 27, of Tonteg, Pontypridd, were delighted to be at the front of the queue to get their copies of The Shooting Scripts signed. He was very nice and signed two books for us, as my brother can't be here today,' said Paul."

BBC News reports that Stephen Fry (who is writing one of the episodes for the forthcoming second season) is to write the libretto for a new film version of Mozart's "The Magic Flute", to be directed by his friend Kenneth Branagh.

The Norfolk Eastern Daily Press covers Roger Lloyd Pack's casting in the new series, mentioning other actors who have appeared in both "Doctor Who" and "Only Fools and Horses" including John Challis.

The Derby Evening Telegraph on 27 October noted that "A Dalek has been spotted in Chaddesden - but residents need not panic because local Time Lord Steve Warby is the force behind it. Mr Warby, a lifelong Dr Who fan, spent five months building a scaled-down copy of the Tardis using everyday items to house a limited edition Dalek he bought from a collector. At the flick of a switch, the light on the top of the Tardis comes on, fog pours out from under the machine, and the talking Dalek walks out of the door. ... Mr Warby, of Spring Gardens, experimented with various materials and designs in his spare room-turned-workshop before completing his creation. He says he has always enjoyed making unusual things, such as a water feature in his garden built from a 1970s disco ball and an upturned aluminium lampshade. But with the Tardis, thanks to his innovation and attention to detail, Mr Warby has taken his hobby to another level." Meanwhile theGloucestershire Echo on the same day noted that "now the Daleks have a new stalking ground - a greenhouse at The Cotswold School in Bourton-on-the-Water. The menacing monsters are the creation of site manager Gareth Davies. But he's not plotting to exterminate enemies - the idea is to raise money for charity. The sci-fi fan will auction his prototype, called Daisy, on an internet auction site to help his daughter Kiri raise cash for the Joshua Foundation."

The Tussaud’s Dalek is up for auction from Bonham's, according to theirwebsite: "Lot No: 630 To be sold to benefit The Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity: The Dalek Supreme (aka The Tussaud’s Dalek), 1970's the painted wooden body applied with plastic hemispheres and mounted with exterminator gun and suction arm at the front, the swivelling dome section with flashing lights and articulated eye stalk 160cm(63in) high"

The Leaky Cauldron reports on a recent interview Daniel Radcliffe ("Harry Potter") did with SFX. Radcliffe mentions Tennant: "I'll tell you what - I wish there was more of David Tennant in Goblet of Fire. He plays Barty Crouch Jnr. He's only got a few scenes and he's brilliant in all of them. He so absolutely, fantastically watchable. I think he'll be a good Doctor Who. I'll tell you the truth, I only saw the first episode. I thought Chris Eccleston was great, actually. Very, very good. I don't watch a lot of TV. I just watch The Simpsons and that's about it. But I did see David Tennant in Casanova. He's absolutely fantastic in it. I would love to work with him again. He's also the nicest person."

Various gossip: Mirror, David Tennant was accompanied to a recent show by Sophia Myles (who appears in the next season) (also reported atAnanova); various websites are reporting that Tennant will be attending the world premiere of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" this Sunday at the Odeon Leicester Square; the Mirror has a report on Billie Piper's former marriage; the Daily Record says "Billie Piper admits glamour doesn't come naturally - because of her huge hands and feet," as she posed for a set in December's issue of Glamour magazine: "I have extremely wide feet, which means all those stilettos are a no-no"; the Mirror also mentions the Glamour shoot, and notes that "the 23-year-old ditched her trademark trainers and baggy combat trousers and slipped into the elegant outfits for a look that is out if this world... Billie posed in a revealing purple number and a backless cocktail dress... It is a far cry from the long coat, boots and glasses she was spotted wearing in London a few days ago after winning her best actress gong at the National TV Awards"; the Daily Mail says that "Billie Piper was spotted this week with lips that looked, how shall we say, fuller than usual. Natural or not, though, it's a look that all the stars seem to crave..."; and the Sun wondered "Where the ecc was he? ... I hope Christopher Eccleston had a bloody good excuse for not showing up at the National TV Awards to pick up his gong as Best Actor. ... I accept that he has quit the role, but he played a huge part in the success of the series and it would have been gracious of him to turn up and thank his fans."

(Thanks to Paul Engelberg, Paul Hayes, Robert Booth, Peter Weaver, Julian Smith, Ian Wheeler, Paul Webb, Matt Kimpton)

The BBC has posted a press release about David Tennant and Billie Piper lighting the Cardiff Christmas lights this year. "The switching-on of Cardiff's Christmas lights at the Civic Centre promises to be an event to remember this year, with a special appearance by two extraordinary intergalactic time-travellers. On Thursday 17 November, the capital is going to have its very own Christmas Invasion as David Tennant and award-winning actress Billie Piper – stars of BBC Wales' hit drama Doctor Who - materialize from their busy filming schedule in Wales to inject a huge dose of Christmas spirit into Cardiff. The free event is staged and managed by Cardiff Council in partnership with BBC Wales, City Centre Management and Red Dragon FM. The entertainment starts at 5.45pm when the Red Hot Santas take to the stage to play some Christmas favourites; and the big switch-on will take place at 6.45pm. Visitors can then move into the city centre for late night shopping until 8.00pm or get their skates on and take to the ice when the open-air ice rink at Cardiff's Winter Wonderland opens its doors to the public at 7.45pm. Billie Piper says: "I'm really looking forward to kick-starting the Christmas spirit in Cardiff. We filmed a lot of scenes for the Christmas episode, The Christmas Invasion, in the city centre and I can't wait to see it lit up for real. I hope everyone has a fantastic time.' Cllr Nigel Howells, Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, says: "We are delighted to work with BBC Wales and I know that Cardiff will welcome Billie and David to the Christmas Lights Switch On. It should be a great night for the family and a wonderful start to Cardiff's Christmas festivities.'"

As we previously reported this month, Christopher Eccleston will be appearing in Rachel Wagstaff's "Night Sky" at the Old Vic Theatre in London next Sunday, October 30 at 7pm, a reading in aid of "Index on Censorship". The event also stars Bruno Langley (Adam in "Dalek" and "The Long Game") and Navin Chowdhry (Indra Ganesh in "Aliens of London"). Tickets are available through the Old Vic Box Office: 0870 060 6628 or in person from The Old Vic, The Cut, London, SE1 8NB. Post-Performance Party tickets include best seats and entrance to post-show champagne reception with the cast; VIP Party Tickets include the above plus a pre-performance reception with a personal introduction to the cast. Tickets for this are strictly limited. For Party and VIP tickets only, please contact: Despina Tsatsas at Index On Censorship on 020 7278 2313 or viaemail; all other ticket enquiries must be directed to The Old Vic Box Office. (Thanks to Anna Hobbs)

According to a report in the Mirror, Christopher Eccleston quite emphatically corrected Alan Davies' comments last week that he had not quit the sci-fi show because he feared he would be typecast, but because he was exhausted. "He claimed BBC bosses had worked his actor pal 'into the ground' with the gruelling 10-month filming schedule. Not so, Eccleston assures us. 'Alan should keep his nose out of my business,' he booms angrily. 'I rang his agent and told him he had no right to say what he did.' Er, right. And what is the former Tardis-dweller up to now? 'Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I'm out of work.'"