Issue #366 of Doctor Who Magazine is due out next week and we have a preview... click on the thumbnail for a larger version of the cover. (Thanks to Tom Spilsbury/DWM)

BBC Worldwide today confirmed the DVD releases in the UK of Genesis of the Daleks starring Tom Baker and Infernostarring Jon Pertwee. "Genesis" is listed by the official Doctor Who website as being due out 10 April, though some retailers are suggesting 27 March, while "Inferno" is due out 29 May.

Genesis of the Daleks will include commentary by Tom Baker, Elisabeth Sladen, Peter Miles (Nyder) and director David Maloney; "Genesis of a Classic," a 62-minute featurette looking at the making of the story, produced by Ian Levine and edited by Adi Denney, and featuring interviews with Baker, Sladen, Miles, producer Philip Hinchcliffe, executive producer Barry Letts, script editor Terrance Dicks, actors Guy Siner, James Garbutt, Dennis Chinnery, Roy Skelton, Cy Town, John Scott Martin and Michael Wisher, BBC sound person Dick Mills, lighting director Duncan Brown, visual effects designer Peter Day and makeup artist Sylvia James; "The Dalek Tapes," a 53-minute documentary produced by John Kelly, "which looks at the history of the Daleks and covers all of their appearances in the classic series" and includes rare Dalek clips and classic interviews and is narrated by Terry Molloy; a 7-minute featurette about Doctor Who models; a 6-minute continuity compilation which includes voice-overs; production text and photo gallery. Also included are PDF versions of the 1976 Doctor Who Annual and the Radio Times billings for the original transmission.

Inferno will feature commentary by Nicholas Courtney, John Levene, script editor Terrance Dicks and producer/director Barry Letts; "Can You Hear the Earth Scream?," a 35-minute "making of" documentary which includes interviews with Dicks, Letts, Levene, Courtney, Caroline John, Ian Fairbairn and stunt arranger Derek Ware; "The UNIT Family (Part One)", a 36-minute documentary featuring a look at the first half of the "UNIT family" from the Third Doctor's era with interviews with Letts, Courtney, Levene, Dicks, John, Ware and UNIT Creator Derrick Sherwin; "Visual Effects Promo Film," an excerpt from an early sales pitch from the BBC Visual Effects department featuring rare Doctor Who footage; "The Pertwee Years Intro," a short intro by Jon Pertwee originally included on BBC Video's "The Pertwee Years"; a Jon Pertwee radio announcement; a PDF of the 1971 Doctor Who Annual; Radio Times billings; plus photo gallery and production notes.

Articles on the restoration work are now available at the Restoration Team site on both Genesis of the Daleks andInferno.

Catching up while the editor's been away for a few days...

Awards

BroadcastNow says that Doctor Who "has picked up a nomination for best drama series at the Celtic Film and Television Festival awards. It is one of 26 nominations garnered by Welsh companies for this year's awards, in which 50 indies have been recognised in 17 categories. Ireland leads the way with 30 nominations, followed by Scotland on 27 while Cornwall scooped 10 and Brittany with two. Doctor Who will square up against another Welsh series, Con Passionate, made by Teledu Apollo, and Irish show Pure Mule from Accomplice Television. Other nominees include critically acclaimed documentary series Tribe (BBC Wales), Rick Stein's The Teaching Challenge (Brook Lapping) and new documentary Iran: An Bealach In Airde (Crossing The Line Films). ... Recognising the development of the sector, the new media awards will be decided on by a specially selected jury of industry experts. Winners will be announced at the festival in Cornwall at the end of March."

Series Two

As originally reported online in the Outpost Gallifrey Forum, Maureen Lipman will be in episode 7, "The Idiot's Lantern." Lipman has been featured in many television series and films including "Coronation Street," "The Pianist," "Love's Labour Lost," "Carry On Columbus" and "European Vacation". Says the original poster, "I know she's in the ep, and I know she's filming her scenes at Alexandra Palace in North London (where original BBC transmissions used to be broadcast from in the 1950's) but it's my speculation that she plays the evil lady continuity announcer in the episode."

Elisabeth Sladen talked briefly about her return to Doctor Who in February's Collector's Gazette, after appearing at the Scifishack stand at Birmingham NEC's Memorabilia show in November. "Having just finished filming, she chatted about her latest trip back to see the Time Lord: 'It was lovely going back - there were so many flowers in my dressing room, I thought I'd died!' she laughed. 'And the atmosphere on set was uncannily familiar. It was fine working with a different Doctor. Once you call someone the Doctor, you actually believe it is the Doctor. I'd already seen him change incarnations before so this was no great leap of the imagination. I think it's wonderful to allow a character from the past to come back. I'm hoping that the newer viewers who don't know me will understand, and I hope the fans like it. It's certainly an experience I would not have missed.'"

Yesterday's South Wales Evening Post talks about two child actors, brother and sister Amy and Christopher Jenkins of Rhos, who "have chalked up an impressive acting CV despite being aged just 11 and eight respectively. Ystalyfera pupil Christopher has landed a part in the next series of the BBC's Dr Who, and is already a regular on S4C's Pobol y Cwm, where he plays Aled."

BBC News says that the staff of a South Wales brewery "had to make sure they had not been transported to another dimension when the cast of Doctor Who turned up for filming. Billie Piper, who plays the Doctor's assistant Rose Tyler, 50 extras and the film crew spent the day at Magor Brewery, near Newport, to shoot scenes. The production of thousands of bottles of lager was halted while filming took place in two areas of the site. Brewery bosses said they were asked to help when another location cancelled. And with its stainless steel brewing equipment, it became the perfect setting for the sci-fi series. David Ginley, the site manager for the brewer said: 'We received a call from BBC Wales and were pleased to help them out. The brewery itself is a modern brewery with lots of tanks and pipework so became the perfect setting for an industrial landscape which is what they wanted. Everybody was so excited about it - Doctor Who is so high profile and everyone was really excited and interested to see how something like that is made.' Mr Ginley said that although he didn't know what part of the storyline was being filmed at the site, he did see a number of Doctor Who's enemies. 'There were aliens and things. I didn't see any daleks though, but you never know, do you?' Staff at the site were able to meet actress Billie Piper, but there was no sign of the Doctor himself. Mr Ginley said: 'We didn't get to see David Tennant but it was an exciting day for everybody at the brewery and we are all looking forward to watching the scenes in the finished programmes.'"

The Inquirer said that "A group of Cardiff drinkers in the The Gatekeeper pub were nearly put off their pints when a troop of Cybermen wandered past their window. According to the South Wales Echo, the outside of the pub was the scene for an invasion of robo-warriors yesterday. Cybermen are the arch-enemas in the UK’s favourite sci-fi telly show Dr Who. Since the show is being filmed by BBC Wales, it has made Cardiff the new Area 51 for alien attacks. The drinkers at the Gatekeeper probably thought they were due for another one. Cybermen, when I was seven, gave me bad dreams for weeks, but seem to have gone through a bit of an upgrade lately. Gone are the clunky silver suits which have been replaced by a smoother silver iPod finish. Hopefully they have removed that nasty flaw in their breathing gear which makes them short circuit if they sniff gold."

People

Artist Andrew Skilleter will be releasing a "limited Artists Edition" of his original MythMakers DVD item from Reeltime Pictures. The video interview re-release will sport a new cover and will feature a stylish eight page full colour illustrated booklet on quality paper containing new text, photographs and artwork, including background on the filming and Andrew’s twenty year involvement with the legendary Terrance Dicks. Also included is the very first reproduction anywhere of a new painting for "Shada", the creation of which is shown in the DVD. Each booklet and DVD disc are signed by Andrew Skilleter and are available directly from the author through email contacthere.

Tom Baker is listed to appear on "Des and Mel" on ITV1, February 1 (1.30-2.30pm according to DigiGuide).

Caroline John (Liz Shaw from Season 7 of the classic show) is appearing in a new play, "Nightingale" at the New End Theatre in Hampstead, a play written and directed by actress Lynn Redgrave. The official theatrewebsite has information about the play, whereas the Guardian has a modest review.

BBC News are running a story about a missing BBC Wales designer who worked on their interactive projects, including last month's "Attack of the Graske". "A memorial service is being planned for a BBC Wales employee presumed to have drowned while swimming in the sea off Colombia early on Boxing Day. Steve Absolum, 32, went missing near Santa Marta on the Caribbean coast and no trace of him was found after an extensive air-sea search. He had been an interactive designer for BBC Wales' New Media output since 2002. Among his achievements was running the interactive content for the tsunami relief concert in Cardiff last January. .. BBC Wales controller Menna Richards said: 'He was central to the development of interactive programmes, including Scrum V, BBC Cardiff Singer of the World, the tsunami relief Cardiff concert and the recent Doctor Who.'"

The Times celebrated Tom Baker's birthday with the following: "The actor Tom Baker is enjoying a comeback in the cult TV comedy Little Britain, now in its third TV series. His is the booming voice of the narrator, never seen, who makes outrageous comments about the imaginary characters of Britain. He was the fourth and longest serving Doctor Who for seven years from 1974 and he still travels the world speaking at conferences and answering interminable questions from fans via the net. He recounts numerous episodes of his riotous personal life in his autobiography Who On Earth Is Tom Baker? and reflects on the problems of getting older, 'I feel I am starting to look less and less like Tom Baker. People used to mistake me for Shirley Williams, but now they just seem to mistake me for my Great Aunt Molly.' He spends much of his time at his home in France and tries to avoid meeting other actors. He says: 'They seem to be a bit like me in that they are not really certain who they are.' Tom Baker is 71 today."

David Tennant is listed as appearing on the series "Posh Nosh" on 3 February from 9.50 to 10pm on BBC2: "Comfort Food. Spoof cookery series featuring a pretentious rich couple. Simon and Minty demonstrate how toad-in-the-hole can get you through the death of a close personal friend. Starring: Arabella Weir, Richard E. Grant, David Tennant."

The Daily Record said of Saturday's "The Romantics" with David Tennant, "He's flying the flag for Scotland on a national, and inter-galactic, stage as the new Doctor Who. But here's a chance to see Scots heart-throb David Tennant doing something a little less mainstream - yet still travelling through time. After shooting to fame in Russell T Davies' adaptation of loose-loined Casanova last year, Tennant plays French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau - a man whose musings are attributable to the explosion of romantic poetry in the 18th century from literary luminaries such as Keats, Wordsworth and Byron. Sliding through time from Paris in the 1700s to contemporary France, Tennant's philosopher sees the impact his musings had both in his day and in ours. ..."

Leonard Lewis has died; according to "Stage And TV Today" and the Internet Movie Database, the prolific TV producer died on 2 December. His sole Doctor Who credit was overseeing the Eastenders scenes on "Doctor Who: Dimensions In Time", the Children In Need 1993 charity special. His other TV credits include When The Boat Comes In and Flambards.

Colin Baker writes for the Bucks Free Press, "If you had told me a couple of years ago that the flagship programme on Christmas Day might one day be Dr Who, I would have suggested that you seek specialist medical help immediately. But building on the excellent series transmitted last year, the special festive episode introducing David Tennant as Doctor number ten was the undoubted success amongst what was a predominantly lacklustre batch of offerings this holiday. In fact, it was the only programme that tempted the Baker family away from the delights of enjoying each others' company. Once again that genius Russell T Davies has produced not only a great script and a great new Doctor, but just when you thought the story was over and the world saved, there was a judiciously crafted hefty sideswipe against those most un-Christmasey characteristics greed, selfishness and political expedience, that so depressingly regularly nudge humanity and honour out into second place. A contemporary message every bit as powerful as that in Dickens's Christmas Carol. To offer the viewers whirling dervish Christmas Trees and homicidal Santas without losing credibility is quite an achievement. And I am glad to be able to confirm what I already knew that David Tennant would be an worthy recipient of the Tardis baton."

Official Sites

The official Doctor Who website has updated the January/February calendar on its News page and is listing a repeat showing of 'The Parting of the Ways' for 5.35pm on Sunday 5 February on UK Gold. They also note that the commentary track for "The Christmas Invasion" was "the most popular MP3 downloaded from bbc.co.uk over Christmas. 64,000 of you listened to the running commentary by Russell T Davies, Julie Gardner and Phil Collinson between Christmas Day and New Year's Eve, making it even more popular than Radio 1's Best of Moyles podcast that week. The free MP3 track is still available on the site, and, thanks to the nifty work of a fan, appears to be listed in the iTunes podcast directory thing. Er, thank you, mysterious stranger. And thanks to everyone who made the Commentary so successful."

The new series will have a new spinoff website come transmission time; the BBC has registered domain names cybusindustries.com, cybusindustries.net and cybusindustries.co.uk, which presumably will be tie-in websites for when "Rise of the Cybermen" and its second half air in the UK. A Cybus Corporation fan site has been extremely popular for several months, though is unrelated to the show's production.

Broadcasting

Doctor Who was mentioned in the "Ask Matt Roush" column of the US' TV Guide magazine yesterday. "Question: Now that the Sci Fi Channel is going to air the new Doctor Who series from the BBC in March, what do you think of the show, and will it make a mark here in the U.S. with sci-fi and genre fans, now that Enterprise is gone and Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel/Firefly are also gone? -- Brian B. Matt Roush: I'll be honest. I'm far from a Doctor Who expert or even a fan. The few times I ever tried watching the earlier incarnations of the show on PBS or wherever, I was underwhelmed. But I doubt I gave it much of a chance. Now that I'm more invested in the genre, especially since Farscape rekindled my passion for space fantasy and Battlestar Galactica confirmed it, I'll approach this series with an open mind. It certainly seems to be arriving with a fair amount of buzz and hype, so I can't imagine why this wouldn't work to Sci Fi's advantage."

According to a report at BBC News, the BBC's Director-General Mark Thompson has mentioned "Doctor Who" as an example of their output during a defence of the past year's £36 million expenses bill. "Programme-making accounts for the overwhelming majority of hotel and travel costs in an organisation such as the BBC with output as diverse as Doctor Who, which is made in Cardiff and on location, and news coverage of events such as Hurricane Katrina."

One of our readers sent e-mail to the CBC's programming department asking when season two of the new series would be aired in Canada and was told, "Unfortunately we don't have a scheduled start date for the upcoming Doctor Who season at this time. If you stay tuned to CBC Television there will be promotional advertisements for the new season when that date is set."

Miscellaneous

EntertainmentWise says that "Sci-fi fans are dribbling at the prospect of owning the definitive Dr Who toy -- a brand new full-size Dalek replica. There has been a stampede to reserve the official BBC models -- which scoot about on wheels and have been crafted using moulds from a real Dalek used used in the latest series of the show starring Billie Piper and David Tenant. The 5'5" models will not be ready until April -- but the toy-makers have already seen a huge demand for the replicas and have been flooded with £500 deposits. There will also be the option of a model which screams Exterminate! and has working lights." icWales also mentions it and theDaily Star says that "Billie Piper has an amazing sci-fi secret - she sleeps with a Dalek. She has snapped up the ultimate big boy's toy for her bedroom."

The South Wales Evening Post said about the Series One Boxed Set on Friday that "As with most things in life, us DVD reviewers have to take the rough with the smooth. Fans of the 2005 revival of Doctor Who could watch and re-watch their hero's exploits when the series was released in four volumes. But those in the know waited for the full bells and whistles set to come out towards the end of the Doctor's triumphant comeback year. It duly appeared, and it was definitely worth the wait - a plush, Tardis-shaped package with all 13 episodes and a great deal more on top. Which is what I meant about taking the rough with the smooth. I was sent the discs, but sadly not the fancy packaging. That was the rough. The smooth side was that I got them for free when the full set would have set me back anything up to 69.99. Having said that, most shops were selling them for a good deal less. So what do you get for your money? Obviously, all the episodes, with crystal clear pictures and 5.1 surround sound, with commentaries absent from the earlier releases. Some are more entertaining than others, with Russell T Davies an absolute scream whenever he features. Then there are documentaries and making-of features galore, video contributions from co-star Billy Piper, writer Mark Gattiss and Davies himself, plus a sneak preview of the next series - bearing in mind this came out before the Christmas special that introduced us to new Doc David Tennant. Anyone who already owns the earlier releases will find the extras an expensive luxury. But those who waited for the box set will find it a worthwhile investment." They also noted about the release of "City of Death" that "Baker is as entertaining as always and the budget even stretched to location shooting in Paris, adding a rare sheen to the show. The effects aren't bad for their time, either, given the shoestring figure they were produced with. A solid package of extras, including a PDF version of the 1980 Doctor Who annual, complete this latest addition to Who's DVD back catalogue."

The Financial Times notes that "For one delicious moment during the recent Doctor Who holiday special, I actually thought the new Time Lord on the block was going to emerge as a kind of Austin Powers-meets-Pete Doherty Doctor. As readers from six to 60 know, the Doc periodically regenerates and literally inherits a new look, and on Christmas Day we were treated to a deconstruction of the conceit as Christopher Eccleston was reborn as David Tennant (of TV Casanova fame). The new hero was shown rifling through a rack of clothes, consciously deciding what kind of profile he wished to present to the world. This is when the promise of a 1960s-style rocking Doctor was tantalisingly hinted at. Tennant fingered a regimental military Sergeant Pepper-style jacket, as worn by Doherty in the Libertines, and by Mick Jagger and the Fab Four before him. I reckon he'd have looked great in it, possessed as he is of a cheeky McCartneyesque physiognomy and mod-style fringe. But no, the BBC wardrobe department bottled it. The regimental number was put back and, instead, the Doc alighted on what looked like a pinstripe suit in a dark brown/aubergine colour with a natty purple stripe, well co-ordinating shirt and tie, and a big fawn duster coat. When he'd put it all together he looked like a Prada catwalk model, decidedly more Euro traveller than time traveller." Read the full article at the website.

Times Online, ikn a story about motherhood, notes that "Motherhood is like a benevolent, society-sustaining form of multiple-personality disorder. Well, being a woman is like a benevolent, society-sustaining form of multiple-personality disorder, but motherhood is where it reaches its apogee. I’m sure there can’t be many mothers who didn’t watch the last series of Doctor Who without a few nods of recognition — specifically the episode in which the Doctor discovered the Emperor Dalek, who was controlling the minds of the six million smaller Daleks scattered across the universe. Additionally, of course, the Emperor Dalek is much wider at the bottom than the top, rather cranky, and has a limited ability to get up stairs — although it was unlikely, in his case, to have been caused by an extra two stones and a compromised pelvic floor."

Yesterday's Frankston Standard/Hastings Leader asks, "Who else would land a bright blue TARDIS in a Frankson eye clinic's car park when nobody was looking and then just as quickly take off to some other dimension with it? Photos of a mysterious object and a note apparently from the doctor left at the clinic have had staff scratching their heads all week. The large blue "police" box, which certainly looks like Dr Who's famous TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimensions In Space vehicle), were found under the door of the Cranbourne Rd clinic last Tuesday. A letter accompanying the photos read: "I hope you don't mind, but I parked my TARDIS in your car park over the weekend to refuel. I programmed my time computer especially so as to arrive on a Sunday, in order that I not cause any disruption to your workday routine. All the best for the coming year (it's a good one, by the way)." It was simply signed The Doctor. Ophthalmologist Dr Stephen Bambery has no doubt the letter was from Dr Who. "We have all been trying to think if it was anyone we knew playing a joke on us. The staff would like to know who it was, but I'd still like to believe it was really Dr Who. Whoever was behind it has gone to an amazing effort."

Other items: Digital Spy ran an article about a "close friendship" between David Tennant and Billie Piper during the filming of the new series... of course, it's the exact same story that ran eighteen months ago in various papers, with the name 'Eccleston' in place of 'Tennant'; TV Shows on DVDconfirmed the delay of the Canadian DVD release of the Series One Boxed Set; Hecklerspray has a brief article about the contestants from "Dancing on Ice" including John Barrowman.

(Thanks to Paul Engelberg, Steve Tribe, Peter Weaver, Paul Hayes, Nick Campbell, "Alex" in Canada, Neil Marsh, Faiz Rehman, Darren Pickles, Karen Baldwin, Neil Chester, Wayne Barry and Anthony Dry at Kasterborous)

Neill Gorton, Doctor Who's prosthetics expert, will be making his regular appearance at this year's International Make-up Artists Trade Show, which runs from January 28-29 at the Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 0QH. There will be regular demonstrations taking place, as well as panels and a Make-up museum, with models, monsters, books and beauty memorabilia. The event will also feature a keynote speech from Michael Westmore, best known for his Star Trek make-up and prosthetics works. More details on the show are in this week's copy of The Stage. (Thanks to Scott Matthewman of The Stage)

In addition to other recent merchandise release reports, Amazon.co.ukhas another audiobook listed for May release,"The Dalek Conquests". The content of this CD release is currently unknown.

The folks at Sci-Fi Collector have gotten in three new items at their London shop and the shop at the official Cardiff Doctor Who Exhibition, a series of Doctor Who rucksacks with imprints on them. They include a red Dalek, a blue Dalek in the Geocomtex facility ("Dalek") and the TARDIS in the void. They also have an image of a Doctor Who duvet cover for a child's bed, also now available. All four are seen in images below; click on each for a larger version.

Character Options have issued a press release on their new Doctor Who 2006 product line, which includes 5-inch action figures, 12-inch figures, radio controlled toys, playsets and games and a Cybermen novelty range. "Five-inch Action figures: See the characters come to life with the new range of 5" action figures. The Doctor is dressed in his new signature outfit with long overcoat and Sonic Screwdriver accessory, while Rose Tyler is teamed with canine hero, K9. Evil intergalactic warlord, the Sycorax Warrior comes complete with two imposing weapons. The Cassandra action figure shows Lady Cassandra O'Brien, the last human, stretched out on her moving frame. Blue-skinned Moxx of Balhoon is featured on his travelling base while Slitheen stands tall with full joint articulation and extendable claws. Twelve-inch Action figures: The twelve-inch action figure range features the new, more deadly breed of Cybermen, as well as the Doctor himself, suited exactly as seen on the screen. Every detail in his pinstripe suit, plimsolls and overcoat has been incorporated into the figure to reflect, down to the very last pinstripe, the Doctor's classic look. Radio controlled toys: The new 5" radio controlled Dalek is set to be just as popular as the 12" debut model launched last year. Like its predecessor, it features 360-degree travel, flashing lights and utters the words: “Seek, locate, exterminate!" The 5" Doctor Who action figure appears again in a double pack that comprises radio controlled K9 with authentic speech and sound effects. On command, K9 can turn a full 360 degrees, his eyes light up and he also has a button-activated gun.Cyberman novelty range: The Cyberman Voice Changer Helmet is a must for anyone daring to deceive the Cybermen as they carry out their mission to convert humanity to their own deadly kind. It will change your voice into true Cyberman speak, leaving your real identity undetected. For added protection, the Cyberman Room Guard will help you ward off intruders attempting to trespass on forbidden territory. Playsets and games: The TARDIS Electronic Playset features authentic light and sound effects and its console is a faithful reproduction of the one seen on screen. Its motorised ‘time column' rises and falls (with lights) when the TARDIS is in ‘flight' and it has ‘lift out' access panels in the floor to reveal the mechanisms and circuitry hidden in the floor. The LCD Game has a smart stylised Dalek case front and comes with an LCD game display, authentic sounds and two levels of play that allows players to hunt out and fire at the Doctor's most feared adversary. The new additions join the existing Doctor Who toy range which includes the Talking TARDIS Money Box and Sonic Screwdriver. The TARDIS Money Box, a replica of the Doctor's Time Capsule, has an opening front door which reveals the Doctor, Rose and a money slot. As each coin is delivered, the Money Box plays phrases including, “Did I mention it travels in time?" A replica of one of the Doctor's most essential tool, the Sonic Screwdriver is an invisible writing pen featuring button activated lights and sounds."

The Argos catalogue shop has brought out its new full-color brochure with the Character Options toys. Also included is an exclusive set of Character Options figures; called the "Regeneration Set", it features a Christopher Eccleston 5" figure (as per the battle pack) plus a David Tennant figure with the 10th Doctor dressed in the 9th Doctor's leather jacket.

The page that has the Doctor Who items mentioned above, including the newest items, is reproduced below, right; click on it for a larger version.

(Thanks to Shaun Lyon Hearn, Ian Wheeler/DWAS, Steven Scott/ScifiCollector, Rod Ulm)

Contrary to rumors and reports elsewhere, Outpost Gallifrey has learned that the Series One Boxed Set will, in fact, be released on February 14, 2006 in Canada. There was speculation that, because Amazon's Canada outlet had changed dates, the boxed set's release date had been moved, but we've learned since that the official release date for the series is still mid-February, this according to Warner Home Video. The US release will, of course, wait until July after the series has been transmitted on the Sci-Fi Channel starting in March.

Gary Downie, former production manager on the classic Doctor Who series and the partner of late series producer John Nathan-Turner, died this morning after a long battle with cancer, according to a friend of Downie's as told to the Doctor Who Restoration Team. Downie, a popular guest at conventions for years with Nathan-Turner, also worked on several other series including "Star Cops" and "All Creatures Great and Small". (Photo courtesy Mark Withall/Cult TV)

Special Events

icWales asks, "Have you ever dreamed of seeing the Time Lord himself in action? Or ever wondered about the secrets of the Tardis? Well, you won't want to miss this. In Fusion Restaurant is hosting a charity auction in aid of children's charity ChildLine Cymru/Wales on Thursday and the star item is the chance to spend a day with the cast and crew on the set of Dr Who. There are more exclusive items up for grabs, including a football signed by the Welsh team, a personal shopping experience, team paint balling, tickets to Castle Combe Race Circuit and much more. Former Olympic athlete Jamie Baulch, ITV's Justina Simpson and Welsh band DV8 will also be at the auction. Tickets cost 18 and include a reception drink, gourmet oriental buffet and a free goody bag. For more information and to book your tickets, contact Catherine Davies on 029 2048 8118."

NewsWales on the weekend said that, in the first eight days of the free Dr Who exhibition at the Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay, more than 30,000 visitors passed through the doors to enjoy the event and that the number is expected to exceed 50,000 people by the weekend. "From today the exhibition will have a host of brand new exhibits never seen before - which have been brought in as part of a major refit. These include the evil Santas and killer Christmas Tree from the Christmas Day special, the Emperor Dalek and the actual costumes worn by Christopher Ecclestone and Billie Piper from the first series. Also on display will be an Auton guard from the first episode “Rose”; props, prosthetics and costumes of Moxx of Balhoon and Cal Sparkplug from episode two; Slitheen and Space Pig from episodes four and five and Trine-e and Zu-zana from episode 12. Doctor Who Up Close celebrates the success of the series which is filmed in Cardiff, with an exclusive look behind-the-scenes. There are explanatory graphics highlighting Doctor Who’s production involvement in and around Cardiff, together with comments from the production crew and location photographs. Clare Hudson, Head of Programmes (English) at BBC Wales, said: 'I'm delighted the Doctor Who Up Close exhibition is proving such a great success. It’s a fantastic opportunity for people to take a look behind the scenes and I hope that many more people get the chance to go along and be part of the Doctor Who experience.'"

Broadcasting

Episode 1 of the new series, "Rose," will be broadcast this Friday in Israelon the Yes Weekend Network. The times of airing are 19.13 and 22.56 on Friday, with repeats on Saturday at 14.46, next Wednesday at 21.30 and Thursday at 01.15, according to the online TV guide of the Haaretz newspaper. Yes Weekend is a subscription satellite service and so not everyone in Israel will be able to see it, says our correspondent. Also, BBC Prime is supposed to be showing it at some time in the future, and that is available on both Yes and another satellite service, HOT.

According to an article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about the long-running PBS series "Masterpiece Theatre," David Tennant's recent production of Casanova written by Russell T Davies will air on the series this season. "Masterpiece Theatre," a public broadcasting mainstay in America for 35 years, is the broadcast venue for many popular BBC productions; besides "Casanova," the series will air the recent production of Charles Dickens' "Bleak House," the final installment of "Prime Suspect" and adaptations of "Jane Eyre" and "Sense and Sensibility".

Merchandise

The BBC press release about Doctor Who Adventures, the new bi-weekly children's magazine due out this year, noes that "the publication will launch to coincide with the second series in the Spring and will enable enthusiasts to further enhance their enjoyment of the world's most famous Time Lord and his journeys. Priced at 1.99, Doctor Who Adventures will be filled with authentic content. It will include original comic strips featuring the tenth Doctor and Rose, interviews, competitions and puzzles plus all the essential information about the Doctor, his companions and his enemies. There will also be behind-the-scenes photographs and information from the series. Toni Round, Publisher of BBC Youth & Children's Magazines commented: 'We are proud to be producing this magazine for such an iconic programme. The abundance of material will enable us to give young fans a literary extension of the programme, providing them with fresh and exciting content. We will immerse the reader in the world of Doctor Who, taking them on a big adventure into time and space. Doctor Who Adventures will be packed with monsters and secrets, full of entertainment, action and humour - the must-have magazine for young fans.' Each magazine will be covermounted with a high quality, collectable gift."

The official website notes that the first three Tenth Doctor novels -- "The Stone Rose" by Jacqueline Rayner, "The Feast of the Drowned" by Stephen Cole and "The Resurrection Casket" by Justin Richards -- will be due out in the US and Canada at the same time as in the UK, in April. It also notes the simultaneous May publication of "I Am A Dalek" by Gareth Roberts and "Aliens and Enemies" by Justin Richards. All of these items are noted on ourReleases Guide.

SciFi Wire is reporting that "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" will be released on March 7th on DVD (single and 2-disc versions) and UMD for the Sony PSP. The movie will also form part of a Harry Potter Special Edition 4-pack. The movie features David Tennant as the villainous Barty Crouch Jr., and in a twist of irony, series two guest star Roger Lloyd Pack (John Lumic in the Cybermen two-parter starting with "Rise of the Cybermen") as his father, Barty Crouch Sr.

Series Two

icWales talks about the production team's rumored return to theMillennium Stadium, where "Dalek" was filmed last year. "Wales could have a surprise substitution to call on the next time they play at the Millennium Stadium...Doctor Who! The Timelord is being lined up to land his Tardis inside Wales' sporting mecca - and use the same changing rooms as our football and rugby teams. The Doctor has battled baddies all over Wales but the threat of new foes comes with every episode. So BBC Wales producers were at the stadium in Cardiff this week, checking it out for future inter-galactic battles. 'There were members of the production team taking pictures and having a look around,' said an onlooker. 'They were hoping to film at the stadium when there was a game on, they decided it was too much hassle and now they're just looking at using it. They wanted the Doctor to be running up and down stairs and filming in the BBC commentary box. They were wandering around the building, and even went into the away changing rooms to take pictures.' ... Tunnels in the venue have been used in previous episodes but this time the Doctor is likely to appear in more recognisable parts, making the stadium the latest in a long line of Welsh landmarks on Swansea scriptwriter Russell T Davies' smash hit revival of the telly favourite. But last night the BBC were remaining typically tightlipped about the Doctor's future exploits. 'We used the stadium in series one when we shot in the tunnels. This week the crew were out looking at locations to use. They aren't saying what part of the stadium they were having a look at or why,' a spokesman said."

The TV biz section of Saturday's The Sun claimed a picture exclusive from Rise of the Cybermen (from the same batch of filming as our recent exclusive photos). Headlined "Cyber binmen", it shows a large colour shot of two of the monsters from behind and approaching two large wheeled waste bins. "They've bin away far too long - but now the Cybermen are back in Doctor Who! Our exclusive picture shows the sinister silver robots (sic) coming face to face with a couple of wheelie bins. In the first episode of the last series, Rose's boyfriend Mickey was EATEN by a dustbin. The new Doctor, played by David Tennant, will hope the evil Cybermen share the same fate. The Rise Of the Cybermen, which goes out in the spring, will see former EastEnder Tracy-Ann Oberman - who played evil Chrissy Watts in the soap - portray another baddie." The Sun article also mentions the oft-repeated rumors that the Daleks will appear in the series, although there's been no word from any official source about that.

People

Yesterday's Daily Star says that Billie Piper is "the ultimate comeback kid. Just three years ago, beautiful Billie was more likely to be found propping up the bar of her local pub with husband Chris Evans than in a TV studio. But today entertainment bosses are fighting over the gorgeous blonde thanks to her outstanding performance as Dr Who's sexy sidekick Rose. And it seems the ambitious babe's going from strength to strength. After her stunning appearance in a BBC adaptation of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing and her role in Dr Who, the 23-year-old now has her own TV series. No wonder she can't stop smiling. ... Billie, voted most popular actress at the National Television Awards, has certainly moved on since she her early days which were often rocked by scandal. Aged just 17 she was forced to deny rumours of drug taking after she collapsed in a London bar. Then she and Evans -who she wed at 18 - hit the headlines when he was sacked after taking a week off work, claiming to be ill. Unfortunately for him, he was caught out when he was pictured boozing with Billie. It seemed the pair were rarely out of the pub and work didn't appear to be their highest priority. Although the couple are still firm friends - she recently described him as 'the most amazing person that I know' - the maturing actress's fame seems to be on its way to eclipsing that of the 39-year-old TV maverick. But maybe that's because Billie, who was also praised for her first acting role in The Miller's Tale in 2003, has finally found a career she loves

Over the weekend the Guardian noted David Tennant would be in a BBC4 drama about Lady Chatterley. "The BBC is reprising the Lady Chatterley trial, 45 years after the event, with a drama written by Andrew Davies. It will be shown in March on BBC4, and probably repeated on BBC2. ...My father, Richard Hoggart, was one of the witnesses in the real trial ... Dad is played by the wonderful David Tennant (Blackpool, Casanova) who has carefully prepared his appearance by watching old interviews, even studying newspaper pictures of the time and having a picture of Dad on his mobile phone. He's extremely convincing - the suit, the hair, the Yorkshire accent, and trickiest of all, the speech rhythms. The only thing wrong is his sideburns. To do this film he had to take 24 hours off from making Doctor Who in Cardiff and, as he explained, the sideburns wouldn't grow back in a day. There, I thought, was a kind of fame - to have researchers and costume directors pore over every detail of your appearance, then be seen in the witness box wearing Doctor Who's face furniture."

The weekend's Sunday Mail says that "Scots star John Barrowmanscored a double whammy when he starred in two prime-time TV shows at the same time. The Glasgow-born actor-singer was seen competing on ITV's new show, Dancing On Ice, which began last night. Barrowman teamed up with dancer Olga Sharutenko along with a host of other celebrities including fellow Scot and weather girl Andrea McLean, Andi Peters and Dame Kelly Holmes. But viewers would have been forgiven for thinking they were seeing double as John, 38, also appeared on new BBC series The Sound Of The Musicals at the same time."

EntertainmentWise notes that "Gay voters have ordained David Tennant as the ‘sexiest man in the universe’ - putting the quirky Dr Who actor before David Beckham, Michael Owen and Brad Pitt. Tennant was gob-smacked to receive the Pink Paper Awards accolade and commented: 'I’m surprised to be thought of like that. Casanova is the only role I’ve played where you had to look good. But that particular Casanova didn't have to be an Adonis. He was more of a cheeky chappie.'" Also reported at Spotlighting News, GayNZ,

Colin Baker spoke to the Daily Express, indicating that he's completely sold on the new series. "Hey amy be a former time traveller but one-time Dr Who Colin Baker does not dwell in the past. Baker, 62, who had the keys to the Tardis for two years from 1984, is full of praise for the show's latest incarnation and current Doctor David Tennant, right, and can't understand why people hark back to earlier shows. 'I have been astounded when diehard fans have expressed a preference for the old series, ' he says. 'It's hard to imagine how the series could be bettered.' Baker praises Tennant for 'a greater self-awareness, vulnerability and humour' than predecessor Christopher Eccleston and gushes, 'Tennant has been blessed with acting ability as well as compelling looks and innate charm.'"

The Scotsman notes that the Scottish Parliament has turned down an invitation to be the venue for the first National Theatre show in Scotland, in a play performed on February 25 with David Tennant in its cast.

Matthew Norman's Media Diary in yesterday's The Independent briefly notes Christopher Eccleston's play "The School of Night" being canceled, and asks, "Incidentally, if anyone was involved with The School of the Night, a play about Christopher Marlowe in which Christopher was due to star and which has been abruptly cancelled so close to opening night, please do get in touch." The weekend's Sunday Times says that "Eccleston was due to star next month in the Comedy theatre's revival of Peter Whelan's The School of Night. The play, first put on by the RSC in 1992, is about the Elizabethan playwright, poet and spy Christopher Marlowe. 'We couldn't make it happen in time,' said the producer, Mark Rubinstein." That's the first indication of a cause for the cancellation from the producers.

Outpost Gallifrey

Normally this wouldn't be cause for a separate subsection, but the Outpost Gallifrey website has been listed as "Site of the Week" at scifi.com, the official website of America's Sci-Fi Channel, the new series broadcaster. "Known as the most popular fan-created Doctor Who site on the Web, Outpost Gallifrey maintains its reputation through diligent tracking of any and every fact pertaining to the crusading Time Lord and his companions—novels, podcasts, music releases, conventions and all other fan activity. The site's detailed episode guide features full cast and crew credits, as well as fan reviews of each installment in the Doctor's long history. ... Now, with the reimagined series bringing new fans to the fold, Outpost Gallifrey allows those who are discovering the series for the first time to catch up on the Doctor's travels, companions and exploits, even as it whets everyone's appetite for still more adventures." The site was also namechecked in a UK play, the Unbroadcastable Radio Show in Manchester; says our correspondent, "the sketch was Davros (which Toby Hadoke does an excellent impression of) speaking like a normal person at a casting agency. The casting agency wanted Davros to sound like Davros though, so showed him a post on Outpost Gallifrey saying that Sylvester McCoy was an excellent Doctor. This so incensed Davros that he got very angry and started speaking like Davros again. It was done very well, and was very funny!" Unbroadcastable Radio is on 8PM every 3rd Sunday of the month at the Comedy Store, Deansgate Locks, Manchester, UK, and always features Davros.

Miscellaneous

The South Wales Echo notes that "A young fan was starstruck when he came face to face with his hero - and a few villains. Sam Hill, five, was with parents Andy and Melanie watching the new Dr Who series being filmed. And when there was a break in the action, which saw Cybermen marching up Womanby Street, he had the chance to meet new Doctor David Tennant. Mum-of-three Melanie, of Fleur-de-Lys, near Blackwood, said: 'We're all part of the Doctor Who Appreciation Society. Sam really wanted to go as he's a massive fan.' During a break in filming, one of their friends approached the new Doctor and told him about his young fan. Melanie, 33, said: 'He was such a lovely bloke and said it wasn't a problem. He picked Sam up and posed for a picture, asking if he'd seen the Christmas special. Sam was so thrilled and carried the picture around with him all day.' Sam, a pupil at Fleur-de-Lys Primary School, said: 'I like the picture of me with him. It was really exciting to meet him.'"

Other items: BBC News noted David Tennant on the TV chart as we reported last week; Daily Snack says that "'Billie Piper’s Hollywood ambitions received a major boost last night after Doctor Who was snapped up by American TV. The sexy 23-year-old has pledged to remain in her role as Who’s sidekick Rose Tyler for at least one more series"; today'sIndependent says that "it is a self-evident truth that Russell T Davies's Doctor Who is better now than it ever was in its so-called golden age"; yesterday's Guardian says that "The tweed suits, the scruffy trainers, the slightly dishevelled English gent look - sci fi never looked so good and it will inevitably affect the catwalk"; RTE says that "'Doctor Who' star John Barrowman has been installed as the bookmakers' favourite to win 'Dancing on Ice' after just one live performance; hot on his heels are actress Bonnie Langford and former 'Coronation Street' star Sean Wilson, who played Martin Platt in the soap.";

(Thanks to Paul Engelberg, Steve Tribe, Peter Weaver, Robert J.E. Simpson, John Bowman, Justine Metal, Daniel Baum)

Amazon Canada today has listed a change in the release schedule for the DVD release of the Complete Series One Boxed Set. As of yesterday, the target release date was February 14; today, Amazon lists it as March 7. There is currently no word on the reason for the possible delay, or any confirmation other than on Amazon that it has indeed been rescheduled.

The next issue of Enlightenment, the magazine of the Doctor Who Information Network in Canada, has been released. Issue #131 contains reviews of the 2006 Christmas Special; a look back at Christopher Eccleston's Doctor and Rose; A Torchwood FAQ; What the US DVD release says about the BBC's attitude toward America; and reviews of all the latest books, audios and DVDs. For more details visit dwin.org.