As expected, the release of Horror of Fang Rock on DVD in the UK in January is even more confirmed than when Outpost Gallifrey announced it last week -- there's a new article in the DVD section of the Doctor Who Restoration Teamwebsite.

Reynolds & Hearn will be releasing Script Doctor in February 2005 by Andrew Cartmel. "The Inside Story of Doctor Who 1986-89," the book by the original series' final script editor is "a unique insight into an area of the show's history that has previously been shrouded in uncertainty." Sylvester McCoy (the Seventh Doctor) provides the foreword for the book, which is listed on Amazon already. More details soon.

The first UK DVD of 2005, due for release in January, will be the Fourth Doctor serial Horror of Fang Rock, starring Tom Baker and Louise Jameson, according to the Galaxy 4 web shop today. Outpost Gallifrey can confirm that this is indeed next year's first UK release (as I didn't want to spoil anything until word had been sent from Worldwide to retailers.) Meanwhile, as expected, the Third Doctor serial The Claws of Axos will be released in the UK in March; we'd previously reported on this when Roadshow in Australia confirmed it for release there in April.

Update 17 Sep, 2045 GMT: Outpost Gallifrey has learned that The Claws of Axos will not be out in March, but is rather the third release of 2005, likely due in May. Of course it's unlikely that the purported April release in Australia would be out earlier than the UK version so that will likely be pushed back to later in the year. We'll keep you posted on what the March release will be when we have more information.

Glyn Owen, who played Rohm-Dutt in the Fourth Doctor story "The Power of Kroll" and returned many years later to play Commander Harlon in the Big Finish audio "Nekromanteia," died Friday from complications due to cancer. Owen's career spanned 50 years, including roles on "Emergency Ward 10," one of the first "big soap operas" on British television; as Jack Rolfe in "Howard's Way," perhaps his best known role; and on "Casualty," "The Saint," "Thorndyke," "Heartbeat," "Survivors," "Peak Practice," "Juliet Bravo," "The Professionals," "All Creatures Great and Small" and in two episodes of "Blake's 7" (in "Cygnus Alpha" and "Space Fall" early in the show's first season). Owen is survived by his wife Carrie, daughter Cathy, and son, actor Lloyd Owen ("Monarch of the Glen," "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles"). He was 76. At right is a photo of Owen from a recent autograph signing at the Tenth Planet store.

North American fans, take note: Pyramids of Mars and Earthshock are now available on DVD. For UK fans, Ghost Light was delayed and will be out Monday, September 20.

The Guardian has run an obituary about the death of Frederick Jaeger ("The Invisible Enemy") which Outpost Gallifrey reported last week.

Outpost Gallifrey has been sent what we believe is the final version of the cover for the forthcoming UK DVD release of Lost in Time, the boxed set featuring orphan episodes from the William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton eras. (We've contacted artist Clayton Hickman to find out if it's the actual final version.) Click on the thumbnail for a larger version. (Thanks to Tenth Planet as always for sending it!)

Update 10 Sep, 1415 GMT: Yes, this is indeed the final version of the "Lost in Time" UK cover. (Thanks to Clayton Hickman for confirming it!)

The total takeover of DVD means that VHS backstocks are shrinking, Doctor Who included. Steve Manfred has compiled a list at the Doctor Who Video FAQ site with a complete rundown of what's still in production and what's been deleted.

ABC TV Australia has brokered a deal with the estate of Terry Nation, and will start showing Dalek serials as part of their re-run of the entirety of Doctor Who, starting with "Death to the Daleks" on 15th September 2004. No Dalek episodes previously skipped in the schedule due to the licence issues will be screened, however. (Thanks to Piers Johnson)

The official Doctor Who website today launches their newest photonovel, with telesnap photos from the missing Patrick Troughton serial The Evil of the Daleks, also the debut story of companion Victoria Waterfield (Deborah Watling).Click here to look at part one.