Below are both the final version of the cover illustration for the forthcoming BBC Radio Collection CD release of The Wheel in Space -- which for the first time will be narrated by Wendy Padbury -- and the provisional (and possibly final) cover for the UK DVD release of The Green Death, both due in May. Click on each for a larger version. Update: we now have the final version of the "Green Death" cover, which artist Clayton Hickman sent us to update the provisional one; click on it below! (Thanks to Tenth Planet, Clayton Hickman)

An article in today's Sunday Times by Ben Dowell, entitled "Drop the dead Daleks, it's Dr Who the sex machine", has caused some raised eyebrows. Dowell argues that, under the stewardship of Russell T. Davies, the Doctor is "likely to lose his ascetic character." "I have a philosophy ù I can do what I want. If we can think of the perfect story for him to fall in love then he will," Davies told the Times. "The purists may be up in arms, but there are more things to worry about in life. There is no pure Dr Who. He is 41 years old ù it is the only way to do it, to change." The article mentions that the signature look of the Doctor (the "frilly, flamboyant image usually topped off with an eccentric old-fashioned coat") would probably change, and suggests two names for the role -- Bill Nighy and Eddie Izzard -- that have been mentioned since the week the new series was first announced. It also goes into a bit of detail about companion Rose Tyler ("a feisty young woman who talks to the Doctor about Dirty Den and the plot of EastEnders... [who] engages in flirty sexual banter with him and talks about her sex life with her boyfriend"), and notes that it's possible that the neither the Daleks (which are caught up in legal issues with Terry Nation's estate) nor the signature theme tune (the BBC isn't sure yet) will be used, and even mentions a possibly storyline for the first episode ("likely to be shop dummies... [who] will launch an attempt to conquer the world by terrorising a London housing estate"... which does lend more credence to the recent rumors that the Autons will likely be making a return appearance (perhaps a bridge to the past?) But the TARDIS will be back as a blue police box, and Davies says he hopes to bring back K-9. "The series, to be screened later this year on BBC1," it goes on, "will consist of episodes longer than they used to be. They will be self-contained, rather than cliffhangers to be resolved the following week." But then the article mentions the Doctor Who Appreciation Society, the long-time UK-based fan group, which refers to them as the Doctor's "greatest foe". "I have met Russell and I am a huge fan of him and his writing. But I am very cautious about this," the article quotes David Bickerstaff of DWAS. "Time lords donÆt have sex at all. We donÆt even know how they reproduce ù it could be a matrix on Gallifrey (the doctorÆs home planet), it could be chemical, we just donÆt know." The article also quotes Colin Baker as saying "Never pay attention to what the fans say. You have to appeal to a new audience." But he agrees about the love thing. "Love is a human emotion and the doctor isnÆt human," says Baker. "We were always told there is one golden rule: no hanky-panky in the Tardis."
     It should be noted that, after the publication of the article, Ian Wheeler of DWAS contacted Outpost Gallifrey to ask us to note the following: "The article says that DWAS could be 'the doctor's greatest foe' because we are a 'group of fans who adhere to the character's original persona'," says Wheeler. "Both of these things are untrue - we support Doctor Who in all its forms and are very supportive of the new series. In addition, my DWAS colleague, David Bickerstaff, has been misquoted in the article. For example, it says that he claims to have met Russell Davies when he did in fact say no such thing." Wheeler has written to the Sunday Times to correct the misrepresentation of the DWAS. In the meanwhile, it should be noted that fans this morning are questioning the comments made, as some of them seem to be based on older information (Nighy, K-9, Izzard) and may not be representative of the producers' intentions. (Thanks to Ian Wheeler, David Blane, Andrew Harvey)

The Stamp Centre have put out two new first-day stamp covers, both in a limited edition run of 1000. They're both seen below; click on each for a larger version. The first one is entitled "The Invasion" and features Wendy Padbury and Nicholas Courtney (who will sign them) and a selection of Cybermen. The second is called "The Troughton Trio" and features Anneke Wills, Deborah Watling and Wendy Padbury (who are all signing this as well.) The Stamp Centre will also be holding an autograph signing with Padbury, Wills, Watling and Courtney as well as Nicola Bryant, Louise Jameson and Sophie Aldred on April 8 from 10am - 3pm; more details are available at www.scificollector.co.uk. (Thanks to Gallifrey 5)

Jon Culshaw (of "Dead Ringers" fame) and Bill Nighy will be appearing on the BBC1 talk show Parkinson on March 13... perhaps a mention of the upcoming show is in order? (Thanks to Craig Potter)

Novelist Sarah Waters mentioned on today's Book Club on BBC Radio 4 that she was "a childhood fan" of Doctor Who, and her early reading was mainly Target novelisations! (Thanks to Scott Wortley)

Several reactions on today's article in the Sunday Times have come in. Colin Baker, speaking at the "Doctor Who and the Daleks" convention this weekend, said that the writer had misinterpreted his comments. According to Baker, what he said was that the new series should not be made solely to appeal to existing fans; however, he mentioned that the journalist's opening comments were akin to "Looks like the Doctor's going to be gay in this new series, doesn't it?" David Bickerstaff of the Doctor Who Appreciation Society, who was quoted in the piece, told participants of the Outpost Gallifrey forum today, "I now open the pages of The Sunday Times to find me being mis-quoted. The Doctor Who appreciation society is committed to promoting and enthusing, we are definately NOT the 'new foes', and I have every faith in Russell and his team. In fact I don't know where the reporter got the impression that DWAS was opposed to the new production team, I did nothing but sing their praises." (Thanks to Angus Kidman, David Bickerstaff)

Reeltime Pictures has finally put out a press release for their direct-to-video story Daemos Rising, which has been set for release in March. "Combining elements from Reeltime's previous drama Downtime," says the release, "with the televised Jon Pertwee Doctor Who adventure 'The Daemons,' Daemos Rising features Miles Richardson, Beverley Cressman and Andrew Wisher in a tale of isolation, possession and magic as the ancient race of Daemons are summoned back to Earth. The Video and DVD, the first independent DOCTOR WHO related drama to be produced for five years, also features popular television and film actor Ian Richardson as the narrator." The press release also notes that members of the cast and crew will be at the Invasion convention in March. For more details about ordering the video, which is only available in PAL format, is available at their website; click here to visit. (Thanks to David Howe)

The next issue of Dreamwatch magazine will feature a story in which Doctor Who fans will be asked to help out with a mystery, according to Brian Robb, managing editor of Titan Magazines (publishers of Dreamwatch). Says the article, "The Doctor Who Restoration Team have just turned up Sylvester McCoy's audition tape which features not only Sylvester but two other actors who were up for the role. The first actor is Dermot Crowley, best known for his role of General Crix Madine in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi, but who is the mystery man, all teeth and curls... And 'tache! The tape features lengthy auditions by three actors (including Sylvester McCoy) with Janet Fielding providing the role of companion Mel and other foils to test the actors' talents. It's also interesting in that it features Mel's leaving scene almost as it was screened in Dragonfire, which indicates it was written well before Bonnie Langford actually left the show. Steve Roberts at the Restoration Team says it may never appear on DVD if actors don't give permission for use. Can you help identify the mystery actor who once auditioned for the role of the seventh Doctor?" Below are thumbnails of three photos, two of the actor by himself, the other with Janet Fielding; click on each for a larger version. If you believe you know who the actor is, email Outpost Gallifrey and we'll forward your email to Brian (but please only do so if you know who it is, not if you're being speculative or jokey!) (Thanks to Brian Robb)

According to the new issue of Doctor Who Magazine, recording of the four Gallifrey audios from Big Finish have now been completed. In addition to the previously confirmed Lalla Ward (Romana) and Louise Jameson (Leela), the issue confirms that John Leeson will be reprising the role of K-9, as well as two special guest appearances: Lynda Bellingham reprises her role of the Inquisitor (here known as Inquisitor Darkel) from "The Trial of a Time Lord," while Miles Richardson bridges the gap from the Bernice Summerfield audios to play the role of Cardinal Braxiatel. The series also stars Sean Calsen (Coordinator Navin), Andy Coleman (Commander Torvald), Hugo Myatt (Arkadian), and India Fisher (Sissy Pollard). The first story, "Weapon of Choice" by Alan Barnes, will be available at the end of March. The issue also confirms the titles of the two additional audio stories Outpost Gallifrey previously announced, but adds their writers:Medicinal Purposes is written by Robert Ross ("it's set in Edinburgh during the nineteenth century, and deals with the famous case of Burke and Hare") and Dead Man's Hand is written by comics writer John Ostrander ("it's set in the gambling, gun-totin' world of the American Wild West"). Finally, the writer's list for the forthcoming Short Trips: Repercussions edited" by Gary Russell has been announced; the stories include "Bobby Zierath's Story" by Trey Korte, "The Rag and Bone Man's Story" by Colin Brake, "The Farmer's Story" by Todd Green, "The Steward's Story" by Mark Michalowski, "Jake Morgan's Story" by Andie Frankham, "Professor Bulworth's Story" by Peter Anghelides, "The Bushranger's Story" by Sarah Groenewegen, "The Republican's Story" by Andy Russell, "The Assassin's Story" by Andrew Collins, "The Gangster's Story" by Jon de Burgh Miller, "The Inquisitor's Story" by Shaun Lyon, "The Diplomat's Story" by Kathryn Sullivan, "The Tramp's Story" by Joe Lidster, "The Ghost's Story" by Trevor Baxendale, "The Time Lord's Story" by Iain McLaughlin and Claire Bartlett, and "The Juror's Story" by Eddie Robson. (Thanks to Steve Tribe, Iain McLaughlin and DWM)

Outpost Gallifrey now has the cover blurb for the forthcoming BBC Books novel Halflife by Mark Michalowski, which is as follows. We're also reposting the graphic of the book cover so you can see it all together. (Thanks to Mark Michalowski)