Several reviews of The Christmas Invasion have now appeared, thanks to this week's press screenings:

TV Zone says that "Most of the overtly Christmassy elements appear in the first half of the story, as the vanguard of an alien invasion force dons various festive disguises to attack the Doctor's companion Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) ... Later on, the more obvious Christmas trappings vanish in favour of more subtle (though equally seasonal) themes of peace and rebirth; there are a few none-too-subtle jibes at the British government's foreign policy in there too, as Prime Minister Harriet Jones refuses to kow-tow to American demands to attack the alien spaceship. In retrospect, the Americans might've been right; the Sycorax are a savage bunch, given to trials by combat and indiscriminate murder, and poor Rose isn't really up to the task of taking them on without the Doctor's help. ... It's hard to believe the Christmas Special only lasts an hour; it manages to pack a feature film's worth of incident into its short running time, with visuals to match. There are one or two moments when the effects waver a little, but on the whole, this blockbuster TV movie is a worthy substitute for the traditional Christmas film – certainly, the sight of the Sycorax battleship looming over Nelson's column easily beats watching yet another bloody wedding in Albert Square..."

Heat magazine gives the Christmas Invasion 5 Stars and list it at number 2 in their terrestrial 20 Best TV Shows chart (at number 1 is Eastenders on Christmas Day). Heat also has an interview with David Tennant: "I just laughed," he said about getting the role. "I found it hilarious and impossible. And I remember [Dr Who writer exec producer] Russell T Davies very perceptively saying: 'Don't say anything now. I know the experience is quite a weird one.' But it's such a great job. I get to play a Time Lord and have a TARDIS. You can't knock that. ... Every time the Doctor goes through the regeneration process, he changes to an extent. So you get a blank canvas where you don't have to worry too much about what has gone before. Viewers are going to see a slightly more no-nonsense Doctor, influenced by what Chris [Eccleston] did with him. He's less indulgent and more ruthless. ... I opted for a scruffier-style suit. It's more what you'd expect to see a student sporting than a college professor. And inevitably the look is influenced by the sort of things I like wearing. ... The Christmas episode is a new start for the Doctor and Rose. They've got to rediscover each other and decipher whether they still feel the same. Despite the new face, he's fundamentally the same bloke and still has a huge amount of affection for her. However, the Doctor's outlook on life has changed as has the way he tackles situations. I think he's just hoping Rose can accept the changes and they can pick up where they left off. ... It's watched by groups you wouldn't expect to be huge Doctor Who fans. I'm continually surprised by the number of trendy teenage girls and middle-aged mums who come up to talk to me and who genuinely love the show. That's what 's extraordinary and unique about it. I doubt I'll ever do anything that attracts such a varied audience again."

Star magazine gives it 5 stars and comments: "Billie Piper is joined by new co-star David Tennant in this special. He's great casting, make no mistake. And sure to make a few ladies feel a bit unnecessary. TV is awash with strangely sexy men these days... Tennant, David Walliams, Chris Evans (we jest). Anyway, the plot: Mickey and Jackie get the shock of their lives when the TARDIS appears - and Rose steps out with a stranger. Disorientated, this new fella - the new Doctor - passes out. They leave him convalescing in bed, and head out to Christmas shop, but Mickey and Rose are attack§ed by a brass band of masked Santas. The usual, really, with a festive seasoning of extra campery."

Reveal magazine also gives the Christmas Invasion 5 stars. "The Doctor takes Rose home for the festive season, but the regeneration process has taken its toll and he ends up unconscious. Will he wake in time to save the planet from sinister Santas and killer Christmas trees?"

In Closer magazine, Jason Arnopp writes of its main Christmas Day TV pick: "Doctor Who's back for a one-off special - and it's the first episode with David Tennant as the Doc. When the last series finished, we saw Christopher Eccleston regenerate into David Tennant. In last month's Children in Need special mini-episode, Rose (Billie Piper) was struggling to come to terms with the Doctor having changed face and most of his personality. This full-length instalment sees them crash-land the TARDIS into the London council estate where Rose lives. The Doctor chirpily wishes onlookers a Merry Christmas, then keels over. While he's bed-ridden, there's a gloriously silly Yuletide-themed alien assault, complete with sinister Santa impersonators, a deadly Christmas tree that attacks Rose's mum Jackie and the return of Penelope Wilton's character Harriet Jones. Prepare to be enthralled."

As suggested in some online television listings, The Christmas Invasionwill have its first UK repeat on New Year's Day, Sunday 1 January, at 7.00pm on BBC Three. The official site has confirmed that this broadcast will again be followed by Attack of the Graske, available via the 'red button', which will be on BBCi between 8pm and midnight. (This suggests, although the BBC site does not clearly confirm it, that the interactive episode will be on for four hours on Christmas Day as well.)

The official Doctor Who site has confirmed that BBC7 digital radio service will broadcast The Chimes of Midnight on four consecutive Saturdays beginning this Saturday, 17 December, and ending on Saturday 7 January, at 6.30pm and 12.30am. The site also has a "Chimes" trailer, which debuted on BBC7 after the "Shada" broadcast. "The Chimes of Midnight," by Rob Shearman, is one of Big Finish's most celebrated Doctor Who audio plays, starring Paul McGann and India Fisher.

The South Wales Echo reports that the city of Cardiff will be hosting a new, free exhibition based on Doctor Who starting next week, Thursday 22 December. "Doctor Who Up Close, based at the Red Dragon Centre in Cardiff Bay, celebrates the success of the latest series filmed in the capital with an exclusive behind-the-scenes look. The experience, which will cost the council £150,000 to stage, links into areas such as modern story-telling, script-writing, acting, costume design, sound and music, special effects, set construction and creative thinking. Visitors entering the display will be surrounded by a retrospective, outlining the 40-year lineage of the series and have the opportunity to view the previous incarnations of the Doctors. Among the attractions visitors can view is the Doctor’s arch enemies, the Daleks, in both their modern form and a unique example of their original 1960s design, as well as elements focusing on many other classic characters. After it is screened on Christmas Day, visitors will also get the chance to see elements of the Christmas special with some of the new props and costumes. BBC Wales Controller Menna Richards said: 'Doctor Who is a huge success and I'm delighted that we can help to bring this exciting exhibition to people in Cardiff. It’s a great opportunity to go behind the scenes and get a sense of what goes into making Doctor Who.' Cardiff council leader Rodney Berman said: 'As a big fan of Doctor Who myself, particularly the new version made right here in Cardiff, I’m looking forward to the opportunity to visit the new exhibition. It will be an exciting insight into the behind the scenes goings on of the series over the years.' An official opening ceremony is being staged on December 21 with the public able to visit the exhibition from the following day. It runs until February 26 and is open every day between 11am and 8pm, except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day."

The BBC has debuted a brand-new, 30-second trailer for The Christmas Invasion. The trailer is now viewable on the official Doctor Who websiteand features a glimpse of David Tennant while more footage with Billie Piper (Rose), Camille Coduri (Jackie) and returning guest star Penelope Wilton (Harriet Jones).

The BBC Press Office has issued a press release with further information on the 'red-button episode' available to UK digital viewers after the broadcast of 'The Christmas Invasion' on Christmas Day. Attack of the Graske will be 'a pioneering mix of live action, state-of-the-art special effects (from multi-award-winning The Mill) and individual tasks' and will feature 'a series of challenges [in which] the viewer will be tested on all the skills necessary to keep the Universe safe – you'll even have a chance to fly the TARDIS!' There will be 'a series of tests using the arrow keys on their digital remote control, [and] viewers will be tested on observation, dexterity, memory and bravery', while 'the Doctor will be on hand to give advice, encouragement, and even step in when things go wrong'. The adventure will be on BBCi 'after the credits roll' on 'The Christmas Invasion'. There is no indication of how long 'Attack of the Graske' will remain available. The full text of the press release is below.

Issue 8 of the fan magazine Black Scrolls is now available; the issue features "The Tom Baker Show", this time lampooning "Warriors Gate" while satirical tabloid "Sol3" makes a return to Black Scrolls, packed with regular favourites; writer Chris Boucher discusses his scripts for Doctor Who, this time turning out attention to "Face of Evil"; coverage of "The Caves of Androzani" with new interviews with Maurice Roeves (Stotz) and John Normington (Morgus); the "I Luv Caves" featurette, with various ramblings on the story's characters, from the likes of Steve O’Brien (SFX) and Craig Hinton; the exhaustive behind-the-scenes story of "The Flood," DWM's Cyberman story, featuring interviews with writer Scott Gray, artist Martin Geraghty, colourist Adrian Salmon and editor Clay Hickman; and a CD featuring multimedia material such as the Black Scrolls interview with Maurice Roeves which was professionally recorded on video, an audio interview of John Normington and the back catalogue of issues 1 to 7 of the magazine. More details and ordering available at www.timeschampion.com.

Annette Badland (Margaret Blaine) will star as Queen Elizabeth 1 in "The Elizabethan Beauty Law," a play written by Lizzie Hopley (Gemma Griffin from Big Finish's "Terror Firma"). It also features Amanda Root, Tom Burke, Toby Longworth and Alan Cox. The audio play airs on BBC Radio 4 this Friday, 9 December at 14.15, according to the Radio 4 website: "During Elizabeth I's reign, the Embellishment Law ruled that any woman trapping a man into marriage through self-adornment could be tried as a witch. Florence Buckley is a plain woman of 39 and very much in love - until her new husband removes her carefully constructed clothes on her wedding night."

Tracey Ann Oberman (soon to be seen as Yvonne Hartman in series two) was on the Richard And Judy show on Channel 4 on 6 December. Oberman mainly discussed her departure this week from "Eastenders" but also mentioned "Doctor Who," where she noted that the production is "more secretive than the 'Eastenders' team." She noted that she plays a baddie and that her character is in charge of a large organisation, and that she has great dress sense. (She also used an American accent, but this might not be related to the series.) She noted that David Tennant is "doing well" as the Doctor and that he brings and "intelligence" to the role.

David Tennant - as well as his father - will be guests on a future episode of Ready Steady Cook, being recorded on Friday 16 December, according to the ticket agency booking the audience, Applause Store. There is no word as to when this episode will air.

Tennant is also profiled today's The Independent, including the first fresh interview with him since the widely carried press release material of last week, although there are signs that the interview was conducted some time ago ("I don't know how I'm going to play [the Doctor] yet"). Asked about his accent in Doctor Who, Tennant says, "There'll be a bit of a story behind my English accent - it's not that straightforward. But anyway, I'm used to doing English accents ... I don't feel any great nationalistic need to be Scottish." He describes on-set nerves as "a regular visitor ... Everyone else on set always seems much more relaxed and confident than me." He doesn't mind people coming up to him in the street – "as long as people aren't unpleasant or violent or rude" – and confides he's "done nothing with the money yet. Maybe I'll store it up for the future when I'm back working in Dundee rep."

The Daily Mirror featured a story called "Who's In Da Hood?" on Tuesday: "She might be trying her hardest to remain incognito, but there is no disguising Who this actress is... Dr Who star Billie Piper was clearly in no mood to be spotted yesterday. She emerged from a North London branch of Waterstones with her face hidden deep inside a fur-lined hoodie and obscured by a big pair of specs. Clutching a bag of books and talking into her mobile, 22-year-old Billie seemed determined to avoid being seen or engage in any eye contact. 'She looked like she was in a really bad mood,' said an onlooker. 'Billie obviously didn't want to be recognised. Still, what did she expect wearing such a conspicuous jacket?' Never a hood idea, love." Of course, the Mirror's online version forgot to include the photo...

Manchester Online features a preview of David Tennant's new two-part drama series, "Secret Smile". "Parts in Casanova, the live broadcast of The Quatermass Experiment and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire have helped turn him into a major heart-throb. ... Fans of the Scottish thespian can catch him in action in this two-part drama based on Nicci French's novel. But, rather than play a likeable soul, the actor for once goes against type by portraying a charmer without a heart of gold. He heads the cast as Brendan Block, an entrepreneur who enjoys a 10-day fling with Miranda Cotton, played by Shaun of the Dead star Kate Ashfield. His creepy behaviour makes her end their relationship, but it seems he won't let her go easily, and plots revenge by seducing her sister Kerry. Five weeks later, the new couple announce their engagement."

There's more coverage of the BBC's Winter/Spring press release at The Stage, BBC News, EntertainmentWise,Brand Republic.

(Thanks to Steve Tribe, Paul Engelberg, Peter Weaver, Rob Edwards, Bob Grist, Faiz Rehman and Joseph Lidster)

Outpost Gallifrey has had confirmation from BBC Radio 7 that their broadcast of Shada, originally produced by Big Finish for bbc.co.uk starring Paul McGann, Lalla Ward and John Leeson, will be transmitted only once, this Saturday 10 December at 8.00pm. We'd originally listed this as also occuring at 9.00am but that time slot will be a different (non Doctor Who-related) item.