The Daily Mail reports that David Tennant is in negotiation with the Royal Shakespeare Company to take on the role ofHamlet - a role he has said he wishes to play in the past - next summer.

Says journalist Baz Bamigboye: "The plan being developed by RSC artistic chief Michael Boyd is for Mr Tennant to play Hamlet in a production he wants to direct next summer. The exact timing will depend on whether the actor will do a fourth batch of episodes as the Converse All Stars-sporting Doctor. Tennant has been offered several high-profile TV, film and stage parts since his interpretation of Dr Who found so much favour with audiences and critics. Indeed, he recently completed filming a TV movie for HBO called Einstein And Eddington opposite Andy Serkis and Rebecca Hall."

The full article can be read on the Mail's website.

Various news services are reporting a rumour that American film icon Dennis Hopper is in talks to make an appearance in Doctor Who next year, probably as a villain. According to an insider, talks have been going on for a while, but Hopper's schedule is proving very difficult to work out. The unnamed source reports that "Dennis is a big fan of the show and bosses are really keen to get him on board."

As always, treat this news as only what it is at the moment -- a rumour -- until official word is announced by the BBC.

BBC Audiobooks will release The War Machines on CD on August 6. "First Broadcast on BBC1 in 1966, The War Machines sees the TARDIS returning to Earth in the present day. The Doctor detects strange vibrations coming from the newly - erected Post Office Tower, and sure enough it is discovered to be the centre of operations for WOTAN, a super-computer with designs on taking over the world. The Doctor enlists the help of Sixties swingers Ben and Polly, who then become his travelling companions." The CD includes the complete audio soundtrack, with narration by cast member Anneke Wills (Polly). Click on the thumbnail for a larger version of the cover.

TV GUIDE's website has a few brief clips from up coming episodes of series 3 highlighted under The Future of Sci-Fi Shows and includes a nice photo of Tennant on their home page.

The Australian media continues its coverage of Doctor Who and Torchwood. The Age has reviewed Smith and Jones and describes Torchwood as 'good old-fashion science fiction'. Meanwhile the Sydney Morning Heralddescribes The Shakespeare Code as 'a great story, told with much fun and tongue firmly in cheek.'

The Age also has a feature on the search for the 108 missing episodes of the classic series.

Meanwhile in the Aussie ratings, 'Smith and Jones' scored 928,000 viewers in the 5 major capitals. Meanwhile, Torchwood's 'Day One' scored 895,000 viewers and 'Ghost Machine', up against the Princess Diana tribute concert on a rival network, scored 774,000 viewers. For more details see the Sydney Morning Herald's Tribal Mind.

The official BBC Doctor Who website has announced that comedienne and actress Catherine Tate, who guest starred in the 2006 Christmas episode The Runaway Bride, is to return to the role of Donna Noble as a full-time companion of the Doctor throughout the fourth series of Doctor Who in 2008.

Executive producer Russell T Davies is quoted by the site as saying: "Catherine was an absolute star in The Runaway Bride and we are delighted that one of Britain's greatest talents has agreed to join us for the fourth series. Viewers can expect more ambitious storylines and a whole host of guest stars in 2008."

Tate herself added that: "I am delighted to be returning to Doctor Who. I had a blast last Christmas and look forward to travelling again through time and space with that nice man from Gallifrey."

Tate replaces Freema Agyeman (Martha) as a regular cast member; Agyeman will appear in several episodes later in the season, and three episodes ofTorchwood.

The Press Association today syndicated a story about both Tate and Kylie Minogue appearing in the series.

Update: This story has featured in a number of newspapers today, including The Guardian, The Sun, The Independent, The Times, and The Mirror, as well as BBC News.

The next issue of Doctor Who Adventures is out on Thursday, 5th July and features an in depth look at the Master, as well as catching up with Barney from Totally Doctor Who.

Other features include the first part of a pull out guide to Doctor Who 2007, containing every story and monster. In the comic strip, the Doctor and Martha try to stop the Fatkat Corporation in part two of Minus Seven Wonders. Plus find out how to make your own Vortex Manipulator, just like Captain Jack’s.

It also comes with three free gifts (a monster message pad, pen and pencil), as well as exclusive posters of the Master, the cat people of New Earth, and Martha Jones.