Official promotion for the end of Series Two has begun, though on a small scale, with the BBC Press Office issuing Programme Information for Week 28 today and the previous two weeks over the past few days. Curiously, there have been no feature articles for the last three episodes, though they have been "highlights for the week" from BBC Television. The following are the three short blurbs for the final three episodes of Series Two.

The TV Shows on DVD website reports that Warner Home Video, in addition to their July 4 DVD release of "The Complete First Season" in North America, will issue four individual releases of the first season (in four volumes) in the UMD format, designed for Playstation (PSP) systems. "The Complete First Season: Volume One" through "Volume Four" are also due out on July 4, the same day as the DVD release. (Thanks to David Lambert/TV Shows on DVD)

According to a report at the official Doctor Who website, production on series three will welcome a new addition: Susie Liggat, who will be assuming the role of producer while current producer Phil Collinson "takes a holiday". Liggat was recently listed as First Assistant Director on the recent episode "Love & Monsters," her first credited job with the series. Collinson has recently produced the series (for BBC executive producers Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner) without the help of an associate producer; that job was recently filled by Helen Vallis, who left after "The Age of Steel". Liggat, meanwhile, has worked on several series including "Casanova," "Burn It," "Teachers" and the films "The Magdalene Sisters" and "Beautiful Thing".

A brief update on ratings for various Doctor Who related programmes this weekend. Saturday night's installment ofDoctor Who Confidential at 7.45pm on BBC3 was watched by 747,400 viewers, with a 5.9% audience share; it was followed at 8.15pm by a repeat installment of "Confidential" (episode three from this season) which was viewed by 402,200 viewers with a 3.0% audience share.

On Sunday night, the BBC3 repeat of Love & Monsters was seen by 700,000 viewers, with a 5.2% share, followed immediately by the repeat of Saturday night's "Confidential" in "Cut Down" edition, viewed by 519,000 viewers (3% share). The Sunday episode repeat was the day's most watched programme on non-terrestrial/satellite channels.

The audience appreciation index (AI) figure for "Love & Monsters" was reported at 76... a low for the season by tied with the first season's "Rose" and "The End of the World".

BBC Video, BBC Audiobooks and 2 Entertain have announced details of forthcoming Doctor Who DVD and audio releases in late 2006 and early 2007.

In September 2006, BBC Audiobooks will release Doctor Who at the BBC Volume Four: The Plays, a further installment of the audio documentaries released over the past several years. Says the blurb at Amazon.co.uk, "Over the years, Doctor Who has provided the inspiration for a number of original radio plays. Three of them are presented here in their entirety, and each focuses on the effect which Doctor Who has had on the lives of ordinary - and some extraordinary - people. 'Regenerations' by Daragh Carville is a powerful and moving play about a group of six friends who reunite for their annual Doctor Who convention. Set against a backdrop of the Belfast troubles, the play deals with themes of sexuality and love, and features appearances by Tom Baker and Sophie Aldred. 'Blue Veils and Golden Sands' by Martyn Wade tells the story of Delia Derbyshire, the delightful and unusual woman who created the unique sound of the original Doctor Who theme tune. Finally, 'Dalek, I Love You' by Colin Sharpe is a recent BBC7 production. It tells how one young lad's obsession with Doctor Who causes him to meet the girl of his dreams - named Romana..."

October will see the UK DVD release of The Sontaran Experiment, a single-disc release of the two-part Tom Baker serial from 1974. The disc will be an "off month" release which the most recent issue of Doctor Who Magazine quotes 2 Entertain as saying will be more common in 2007 (releases with fewer extras filling gaps in the schedule, creating more releases for the year.)

November features the Patrick Troughton serial The Invasion... with a twist. The eight-part serial is missing two episodes, parts one and four, and the BBC has partnered once again with Cosgrove Hall (animators of "Scream of the Shalka") to recreate the two episodes in animated form, aided by the original soundtrack. Says Sophie Walpole of BBC Interactive Drama and Entertainment, "In the year that the Cyberman have returned to Doctor Who, it seemed a good idea to complete one of their finest outings from the 1960s. We have found a unique and innovative way of presenting this classic adventure by lovingly restoring the soundtrack and setting it to new animation." Cosgrove Hall Lead Animator Steve Maher says he found it "a slightly surreal experience. [Patrick Troughton] has a wonderfully animatable face, so he was a gift. Baddies are invariably more fun to depict than the good guys so the sneering, unblinking Tobias Vaughn was a lot of fun, too." The story on the official Doctor Who website features a video trailer created for the episodes late last year.

Also in November, Amazon.co.uk has listed The Complete Series Two: Limited Edition Cyberman Head Box Set with Unique Lenticular Postcard. The Amazon website has a photograph (which is clearly marked "not final design") of this purported set which will be exclusive to the online retailer. The release joins the standard Complete Series Two DVD set which DWM says will feature a dual-sided lenticular cover: on the front, the TARDIS in flight through the vortex, with another image on back.

For next year, also reported in the new issue of DWM is the January 2007 release of the Return of the Master Boxed Set featuring three classic serials with the late Anthony Ainley (the Master) that form his debut trilogy: The Keeper of Traken starring Tom Baker, Logopolis featuring Baker and introducing Peter Davison, and Castrovalvawith Davison in his first full adventure.

DWM also notes that actress Katy Manning has provided the linking narration for at least part the forthcoming audio release of Monsters on Earth, a Doctor Who CD tin featuring the audio soundtracks of classic Doctor Who serials "The Sea Devils," "The Silurians" and "Warriors of the Deep" as broadcast on BBC television.

Ratings for Love & Monsters, the eleventh episode of the new season, are in: according to the overnight viewing figures, 6.22 million people tuned in to see the episode, with a total audience share of 38.3%. The episode was Saturday's #1 most watched program in the UK in terms of number of viewers, though the episode was second on the list in total audience share (World Cup Match of the Day Live, which aired much earlier in the day, had a 38.9% share but only 3.1 million viewers at that time.) As usual, individual ratings on the five-minute period charts show the episode peaked at 7.15 million viewers in the final five minutes of the episode. The episode was also #12 on the list of most watched programmes for the week, after episodes of "Coronation Street," "EastEnders" and several instances of World Cup programming (including, so far, the week's top rated England v. Trinidad & Tobago match on Thursday.) More details later. (Thanks to 'Shaun Lyon' and Andy Parish)

Issue #371 of Doctor Who Magazine will be released next Thursday, 22 June, and the following is a preview; click on the thumbnail for a larger version of the cover. (Thanks to Tom Spilsbury/DWM)

CBC Television announced today that Canada will see series two of Doctor Who this coming October. "New Earth," the first episode of the new season, will premiere on Monday, October 9 at 8:00pm (8:30pm in Newfoundland); further episodes will likely air weekly on Monday nights. (Last season's episodes aired on Tuesdays.) More information about the network's fall schedules can be found here.

Having been first to break the news yesterday of Billie Piper's confirmed departure from Doctor Who, today's issue ofThe Sun states that "Former Crossroads stunner Freema Agyeman was last night revealed to be the front-runner to replace Billie Piper in Doctor Who. Freema, 26, will appear in the final two episodes of the BBC1 sci-fi's current series playing the character Adeola. She joins the Timelord - played by David Tennant - and his sidekick Rose Tyler in battle against the dreaded Cybermen. Insiders say Freema, will join the Doctor in the Tardis full-time in the third series after her appearance in the episodes called Army Of Ghosts and Doomsday. ... The highlight of Freema's career so far has been playing seductress Lola Wise in doomed ITV soap Crossroads in 2001. She said: 'I loved playing Lola. She was an 18-year-old girl with a lot of angst. She wanted to sleep with all the boys and have fun.' The Londoner, who left Middlesex University with a BA Honours degree in Performing Arts and Design, also appeared in Casualty, The Bill and Silent Witness. Last night a BBC source said: 'Freema is a fantastic actress. She is great in the final episode. And she is more than capable of stepping into Billie's shoes to play the Doctor's new cohort. No one knew Billie could act before we gave her the job — and she has proved to be a sensation.' Freema, who also studied at Radford University in Virginia in America, could join the Timelord in new adventures that will see them meeting Shakespeare in the third series. Filming starts in just five weeks. ... Last night a BBC spokeswoman refused to confirm Freema was taking over from Billie as Dr Who's sidekick. Other names linked to the role include former EastEnder Michelle Ryan (Zoe Slater). She is believed to have auditioned with show bosses for the part."

The Daily Express has the next rumour - the paper reports that Nikki Sanderson, who has appeared in Coronation Street, is in the running for the part. The Mirror, which has been running "Billie Quits" stories for 15 months, today takes her to task for telling "lies" about staying in the show ("Who's been a Silly Billie", link here): "Looks like Billie's been giving Pinocchio a run for his money in the longnose stakes. Tut, tut." The paper also says that Piper has "stunned TV bosses" who "begged her to stay" but she "did not want to become typecast". (The Daily Star is also claiming an "exclusive" today that Billie Piper will leave Doctor Who at the end of Series Two, reported widely yesterday)

There is no word on whether any of these are in the show's plans for future episodes; however, several sources have told Outpost Gallifrey that, as noted yesterday, the departure of Billie Piper has been in the planning stages since last fall (so there would have been ample time for the show to replace Piper, if such an event is happening in the final episodes... though no word as yet on whether a new companion would be introduced this year or next.) Also reported at Sky News, Ananova.

Confirming rumors that have been flying around for months, BBC Wales has issued apress release today that Billie Piper will be leaving her role as Rose Tyler at the end of the current series. "Billie Piper who has played Rose Tyler, the feisty young companion of both the ninth and tenth doctors, will leave Doctor Who in a nail biting series two finale. Over the past two years Rose has been on an adventure of a lifetime, travelling across the galaxy with the Doctor. She's visited far-off futuristic cities in the year five billion and beyond; landed on space stations where she's been a contestant in a deadly version of ‘The Weakest Link'; travelled back in time and met Queen Victoria, Charles Dickens, Madame de Pompadour and her dead father; she has battled against the Doctor's deadliest foes the Daleks and Cybermen; taken on Slitheen, Sycorax and Krillitanes and survived the end of the world and the blitz. Now, in what is set to be the TARDIS's most terrifying adventure, The Doctor and Rose will face their biggest challenge to date. Back on Earth the human race rejoices as the ghosts of loved ones return home. But as the Doctor, Rose and Jackie investigate Torchwood Tower, a trap is being sprung; an almighty invasion is being put into motion which is set to destroy the whole of modern-day Earth."

The press release continues: "Billie Piper says: 'Rose and I have gone on the most incredible journey with Russell T Davies and the cast and crew of Doctor Who over the past two years. It has been an amazing adventure, and I can confirm it comes to an end, for now at least, as series two climaxes. I am truly indebted to Russell for giving me the chance to play Rose Tyler, and to all the Doctor Who fans old and new who have been so supportive of me in this amazing role. Thank you so much.' Russell T Davies writer and Executive producer adds: 'It has been a wonderful experience working with Billie -- we will miss her -- and wish her all the success in the world for her future. However, the Doctor Who team have had a whole year to plan this final scene and have created a stunning exit for Rose Tyler. The Doctor lives a dangerous life and when Rose joined him on his adventures she was aware of this. With a series climax called Doomsday on its way, I can't guarantee who will survive and who won't, but I can assure you the TARDIS is going on its scariest journey yet!' Since taking on the role of Rose Tyler, Billie has received both critical and popular acclaim. She was awarded The National Television Award for ‘Most Popular Actress' 2005 and The South Bank Show's ‘Breakthrough Award for Rising British Talent'. Billie is currently filming the BBC's adaptation of multi award-winning writer Philip Pullman's The Ruby In The Smoke in which she plays the title role, Sally Lockhart. Filming on the second novel The Shadow In The North will commence later this summer. Doctor Who series three also starts filming again later this summer and will return to our screens with a Christmas special in 2006 and another series of 13 episodes for 2007."

There have been rumors circulated for nearly a year that Piper would be leaving at some point during the second series;Dreamwatch magazine originally made this statement last summer, though its report was discounted, while various tabloids suggested that Piper's tenure on the series would come to an end this year. Some news outlets are reporting the character might be killed off, although the BBC Wales press release suggests an air of mystery and does notstate that Rose will be killed (taking Piper's comments that her trip "comes to an end" somewhat literally), although the release does ask the question, "Does saving the world mean the death of Rose Tyler?" (noting that "Billie Piper who has played Rose Tyler - the feisty young companion of the ninth and tenth doctors - will leave Doctor Who in a nail-biting series two finale"). The "death" report appears to originate in the Sun's early report today, being merely speculative. However, the production is being very strict about information regarding the finale; in fact, there may be no advance press screening of "Doomsday" to prevent the surprise from being released.

There are rumors elsewhere that this was a recent decision (including speculation on some fan sites that this was a dispute over money) although Outpost Gallifrey has been told that Piper's departure was planned as early as last autumn and that the script for "Doomsday" as originally written did contain the departure for the character (instead of a hasty rewrite that would have been needed if it had been a recent choice). A new co-star for David Tennant will likely be seen in the 2006 Christmas special.

The official Doctor Who website is carrying this story. The first report came from The Sun, and it has been reported today at a variety of sources including BBC News, CBBC News, The Times, Ananova, Manchester Evening News, Daily Mail, The Scotsman, Irish Examiner, Sky Showbiz, The Is London, Evening Echo, Ireland Online, The Stage, Hollywood News, Waveguide, Daily Mail, EntertainmentWise, U.TV,ITV, ITN, RTE,Contact Music, Edinburgh News. Also CBBCNews is asking viewers, "Are you gutted?" with reader responses to be posted soon. (Thanks to all of our readers who have been sending in news clips all day!)