Interviewed in The Western Mail, Bill Nighy, touted as a possible new Doctor (and indeed, the apparent first choice of producer Russell T. Davies), admits he doesn't have any idea what's up. "I've no idea about that," he says. "No-one's actually asked me. I did hear a rumour, but that's as far as it goes. I don't know if I'd be up for it or not; it would depend on so many things really. And I haven't got around to thinking what kind of a doctor I would be - except I probably wouldn't wear a scarf." Read the full article by clicking here. (Thanks to Andrew Harvey, Chuck Foster)

Anthony Stewart Head, best known as Giles on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and known to Doctor Who fans for his turn as Grayvorn in the "Excelis" series from Big Finish, was voted the audience's favorite to play the next Doctor in a Radio Times poll, beating runners-up Alan Rickman, Stephen Fry, Alan Davies and Ian Richardson. "I'm in very good company - good God, I beat Alan Rickman," said Head. "I suppose I would be a logical choice to play the Doctor just because Giles, my character in Buffy, has the same light and dark sides and quirkiness as Doctor Who." He said his favorite Doctor was Patrick Troughton "because you never knew what was going on inside his Doctor." The article on the BBC's website noting the Radio Times poll results also features comments from writer Russell T. Davies; you can read it by clicking here(or here to read a similar story on Yahoo!). (Thanks to everyone who wrote in with comments)

Manchester University Press will be publishing Terry Nation, a book about the life of the creator of the Daleks, "Blake's 7" and other icons, written by Jonathan Bignell and Andrew O'Day, in late spring 2004. Says the press info: "Terry Nation was a prolific writer for television, specialising in science fiction adventure. This book charts his television career, focusing on Dalek and other stories for 'Doctor Who', the post-apocalyptic drama 'Survivors', and the space adventure 'Blake's 7'. As well as analysing programmes in detail, the book discusses Nation's collaborations with the producers, script-editors and directors who brought his work to the screen. Illustrations feature rarely-seen stills from key episodes." To be placed on Manchester's mailing list for further info, send email here. (Thanks to Andrew O'Day)

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)

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'.

Sylvester McCoy and Bonnie Langford reunite again... this time on stage. Both will be featured players in "Dick Whittington"; Bonnie's featured as the title character, Sylv as King Rat. The play will be on for three weeks starting December 12 at the Yvonne Arnaud theatre in Guildford.

Eddie Izzard recently told BBC Radio 1 that while he appreciated being thought of, he wasn't going to be the next Doctor, despite Tom Baker's claims to the contrary. "Tom Baker threw my name up which was fantastic," he says, "it's a wonderful honour. I hadn't considered it, I didn't even know (the series) was happening, and I don't think the BBC would want me. They'd probably rather spit on me and slap me about with fish. ... I'm really into doing my films, and so 26 weeks is a big commitment. There are other people that are up for it that everyone else wants. I'm slightly more on the edge. I think the BBC would say 'Well we want someone simpler and safer.' ... I think my breasts are too dangerous."

Alan Davies appeared on BBC1's "Friday Night with Jonathan Ross" on October 17, coming onstage to an a capella version of the Doctor Who theme by the house band. Davies, who has been featured as a possible new Doctor in the media, made some comments rejecting the press stories: "Well, now you see, thatÆs just paper talk. ... No. Sadly, IÆm not the new Dr Who," he said. "I havenÆt been asked. Two years ago it was in the News of the World, GoÆ bless æem. They said I was signed up under a massive deal." Apparently a lot of his friends have already contacted him asking to play Daleks and/or Cybermen! They also showed an article from the Express newspaper that had a composite photograph of Alan in Tom Baker Who costume. Davies later talked about Mary Tamm and K-9, the Daleks, and even the new guy behind Doctor Who, his namesake, Russell T. Davies. "The thing is I would do Dr Who because Russell T Davies is writing it," he said. "HeÆs BritainÆs nicest man and best writer and he wrote Bob & Rose, so I sent him an email saying if youÆre really stuck and you canÆt get who you want, IÆll fill in but IÆm not wearing that hat." And who would make a good Doctor? "Annette Crosby," he answered, of BBC1's "One Foot in the Grave". "No, I mean it!" Davies cried. This all gives solace to -- or perhaps takes the wind out of the sails of -- a "prevent Alan Davies from being the next Doctor Who" campaign launched in the Diary column of Matthew Norman featured in the Guardian newspaper; the latest chapter was printed here (it's the fourth story down). (Thanks to everyone who wrote in, Craig Potter for the quotes and Steve Tribe for the "campaign" info)

The Rani's ready to return. Kate O'Mara, in an interview with the Daily Mail promoting her new autobiography "Vamp Until Ready," which was released October 16, mentioned that she'd be happy to return to the role she played in the television series, the "Children in Need" special "Dimensions in Time" and the BBV audio "The Rani Reaps the Whirlwind." She mentioned that she was always open to roles that would bring work (ever the life of the actor), and if asked, would be quite happy to appear in the new Doctor Who series.

Eddie Izzard told BBC Radio 1 on Thursday that any casting of him as the new Doctor would be a surprise to him - probably too much of one. "Tom Baker threw my name up," Izzard says, "which was fantastic, it's a wonderful honour. I hadn't considered it, I didn't even know (the series) was happening, and I don't think the BBC would want me. They'd probably rather spit on me and slap me about with fish." Izzard, who is currently on tour in America, wasn't aware of the rumours or about the series revival. "I'm really into doing my films, and so 26 weeks is a big commitment. There are other people that are up for it that everyone else wants. I'm slightly more on the edge. I think the BBC would say 'Well we want someone simpler and safer.'. I think my breasts are too dangerous." Of course, stranger things have happened. (Thanks to Chuck Foster, William Duffy, Stuart Ian Burns, Michael Eggleston, Jason Zerdin)