Today's Daily Telegraph carries an Opinion piece by Sam Leith that delves into the psychology of the revivedDoctor Who.

Leith praises Russell T Davies and the scriptwriters for producing "one of the best and most artful pieces of popular television in years", adding "what has made it so resonant is not the cast of silly monsters, the excellent jokes, the jolly special effects, and so forth - but its underlying deep melancholy".

The article, which is headlined "It's now time to take Doctor Who seriously" and quotes poet Elizabeth Bishop, T S Eliot and novelist Audrey Niffenegger, calls the programme "an extraordinary study of loss" and says: "Its deep theme is loneliness."

Leith adds: "It's all as sentimental as hell... and quite irresistible."

NB: The piece starts with - and is based on - a spoiler.

(Thanks to Ewan Eaton.)

David Tennant has signed a one million pound deal to appear in the entire fourth series ofDoctor Who, according to the Daily Mirror today.

The newspaper says: "Despite false reports suggesting the 35-year-old would bow out halfway through next year's run, insiders have revealed he will film the full 13 episodes."

According to a source: "To be honest, David was never going anywhere. He loves to create an air of mystery about his role in Doctor Who, and when he might leave, so he's happy for people to speculate about his departure.

"But the truth is he's finished filming the third series and he's signed a contract to appear in the whole of the next series. That will see him filming throughout 2008. It's brilliant for the show and the fans."

NB: The Mirror story contains a minor spoiler.

In today's edition of Digital Spy, David Tennant talks about the possibilities of doing a multi-Doctor story in the New Series. "Sure...it's a lovely idea, [but] I just don't know about the practicalities of it, really. It's one of those shows and because it goes on for a long time it has this history."

The article gives a rundown of past stories in which a current Doctor meets up with past incarnations.

Go here to read the complete article.

Sci-fi and fantasy magazine SFX is celebrating the return of Doctor Who with world-exclusive gifts.

Both its 132-page SFX Collection Doctor Who special and the May issue of SFX will be covermounted with Who goodies only available with the titles.

The special goes on sale on Wednesday, March 28. It will give readers a classic Doctor Who novel - one of 15 - from Target. They will be original editions no longer available in the shops and exclusive to readers, says the publisher.

The SFX special will have news and gossip from the 2007 series plus episode guides for the 2005 and 2006 series, the two Christmas specials and Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures.

In the May issue of SFX, on sale Wednesday, April 11, fans will have the first chance to get hold of the new Doctor Who Sticker Collection album.

It is full of never-before-seen images from the latest series, says publisher Future, which adds that in a world exclusive the album, from Merlin, will be offered to readers one week before it goes on sale across the UK.

The following June issue of SFX will also be covermounted with a pack of Doctor Who stickers from Merlin.

Click on the image of the special below for a larger version. The May edition cover is yet to be released.

(Thanks to Will Guyatt at Future Publishing.)

A one-day Doctor Who convention is to take place in Northern Ireland in May.

Organiser UT Events says Genesis will see Colin Baker, Louise Jameson and Annette Badland among the guests.

It will be held at the Park Avenue Hotel in Belfast on Sunday, May 27 from 9am until midnight.

The convention will also see guest Q and A sessions, autograph sessions, photograph sessions and prize giveaways, say the organisers.

More details at UT Events.

There have been regular news items on the Series Three press launch and the confirmation of a fourth series on Wednesday night. Much of the attention focused on the introduction of new companion Martha Jones and newcomerFreema Agyeman's reaction to working on the series and the attention it brings. (Warning, links may contain spoilers.)

A report by BBC Arts Correspondent David Sillito from the event was shown throughout Thursday on BBC Breakfast, BBC News 24 and BBC World. BBC Breakfast also announced that Agyeman would be appearing on the show next week, and broadcast an 'exclusive' new trailer for the season at the end which contains the spoiler that several papers reported on today. (The programme also interviewed 'former assistant' Catherine Tate on her Comic Relief sketch with prime minister Tony Blair, and her thoughts on the trailer.) This second trailer can also be viewed at the BBC website, which has also been updated with a new front page and more pictures.

Meanwhile, children's news programme Newsround has also been covering the show, with a behind-the-scenesreport on the launch screening. Several clips from Smith and Jones were shown, but presenter Lizo was unsuccessful in his attempt to find out more about the mysterious Mr Saxon, although David Tennant did reveal that "he's more than a match for the Doctor".

BBC Wales Today covered the launch in their lunchtime programme, including an interview with presenter and confessed fan Jonathan Ross. The press launch was also mentioned in their evening bulletin, which can be viewedhere for one day. GMTV were also in attendance at the launch, and gave a very positive review, showing a variety of clips from Smith and Jones.

John Simm was interviewed by Simon Mayo on Five Live this afternoon. He confirmed he is playing a character called Mr Saxon, but wouldn't be drawn on the nature of the character. "There's a lot of secrecy about it," is the only comment he would make after repeated queries from Mayo. He was attracted to the show by its writer, he said, as he tends to be with all the roles he takes.

Among the papers taking an interest in the press launch was The Times, which focused on the attention Freema Agyeman is about to receive, saying that she "is about to become one of the most recognisable faces on British television". Martha will apparently be a "sassier sidekick", with a different dynamic in her relationship with the Doctor.

The Daily Mail also carried a report on the press launch, and focused on one particular aspect of the first episode.The Sun followed a similar angle, as well as a separate article highlighting the differences between Rose and Martha, and the hazards of stunt work. The Sun's exhaustive coverage includes a video clip and continues on the 23rd March, with a report on the confirmation of a fourth series, but that David Tennant declined to comment on his involvement (as has been his position since taking the role). The Western Mail, Evening Standard, and Daily Mirror also carried reports on the press launch.

Swansea fans will have the chance to see Smith and Jones a little early, as This is South Wales reported that the Swansea Odeon will be having an exclusive screening nine hours before the episode is broadcast.

Big Finish Productions has released covers and information about two upcoming Doctor Who short story anthologies. Authors include Helen Raynor, Todd McCaffrey, Brian Keene, Keith R.A. DeCandido and Brian Dooley.

May sees Short Trips: Destination Prague edited by Steven Saville. A sample story, Gold and Black Ooze byRobert Hood, is available. The blurb follows..

Prague has its demons - a city saved from the ravages of war and the Third Reich because of its beauty, it is home to Rabi Loew's Golem, Rudolph II's obsession with finding the elixir of youth, scientific genius in the form of Kepler and Tycho Brahe, and the alchemical obsessions of Magister Kelly.

It is believed that there are magnetic energies whose lines intersect in Prague at several spots. Astronomy, astrology, numerology and magnetic forces have all played a role in building the city - but how will they influence its future?

This is the city rich in history, and full of potential - how will it adapt over the centuries to come? Will it have a glamorous rebirth or wallow in a dystopic nightmare? And what will be the role of the old superstitions in the new world?

For the Doctor and his companions, the answers to these questions are only just the start of further mysteries…



Short Trips: Snapshots comes out in June and is edited by Joseph Lidster...

A mysterious ghost haunts a hotel in India. The terrifying alien C'rizz attacks commuters in King's Cross station. Beneath a London council estate, a creature is waiting to be born. And on a distant world, an old man trades stories with a strange time traveller.

Throughout his adventures in time and space, the Doctor meets so many people and each one is affected in some way. The waiter who keeps a special table for the Time Lord's granddaughter, Susan. The American student who befriends lost Lucie Miller. The teenage girl who discovers that she may be something more than human.

What is it like when that strange blue box appears in your life? What is it like when your eyes are opened to so much more?

What is it like when everything changes?