Who will play the new Doctor? Coventry City/GMK writer Neville Hadsley speculates the likes of Arsene Wenger, Peter Reid and Gordon Strachan in the role; click here to read the article. (Thanks to Chuck Foster)

A recent press release by BBC Worldwide entitled The TARDIS lands down under talks about tribute programming to honor the show's 40th anniversary. "ABC TV is currently screening the entire Doctor Who series every Monday to Thursday at 6pm," says the press release. "Mrena Manzoufas, Head of Programming, ABC TV says, 'Doctor Who made its debut in November 1963 and ABC TV last screened it in March 1994. Since then we have received an endless number of requests from Doctor Who fans who want to re-live the whole Doctor Who experience and have decided to re-screen the entire series from episode one.' In addition, UKTV in Australia will run an extensive schedule to celebrate the anniversary year. Hosted by Katy Manning (the voice of UKTV and former companion to Jon Pertwee), the channel will show selected episodes featuring the eight Doctors who have steered the TARDIS since 1963, on Saturday mornings from 11 October - 22 November. Tony Iffland, Chief Executive, UKTV says, Doctor Who is an iconic British programme - we could not let the 40th Anniversary pass without a special UKTV celebration.' Julie Dowding, Head of Sales Australasia, BBC Worldwide says, 'The Doctor Who franchise has always been incredibly popular in this territory and this is reflected by the strong support from our broadcast partners in this anniversary year." The press release also mentions that "BBC Worldwide is currently exploring the possibility of developing Doctor Who into a major US studio film, and last month BBC green-lit scripts for a brand new television series from writer Russell T Davies," possibly keeping alive the word that a film may indeed happen as well as a TV series!

You can't keep Tom Baker down... he just keeps doing outrageous and extremely funny interviews. In a new chat withMetro Cafe Tom talks Doctor Who and more. Some of the highlights: Have you kept any memorabilia from the show? "I did have quite a lot but it was all begged off me. You know, smart begging. It is very highly organised now, isn't it? If I had held on to some of it, it would have been terribly valuable. I just gave it away." Tom on sexuality and the ladies: "Well, I tell you this: I am sexually - even as Tom Baker - irresistible to ladies over 80. They often say: 'It's Tom Baker, isn't it? The old Dr Who?' And I say: 'Yes.' And they say: 'I thought it was. As soon as I saw you, my bosoms began to tingle.' In Waitrose, there are lots of old ladies trying to pull me. They smash their trolleys into mine, saying: 'I live quite close by, dear.'" On his ex-wife: "I married one. I married Lalla Ward, who played Romana - she is terrifically articulate and witty. She was in New York at some science fiction bash. Somebody from the floor said: 'Ms Ward, what was your favourite monster?' and she said: 'Tom Baker.'" More on the new series: "Eddie Izzard would be excellent. Because he is so mysterious and strange, yet benevolent. He would be very good indeed. And Judith Chalmers perhaps as the assistant? Or am I getting her mixed up with Melinda Messenger? Oh yes, that's right, Melinda Messenger then." Would he reprise the role? "I might jib at that but I want to suggest the BBC makes me The Master. The new viewers wouldn't be bothered as they wouldn't recognise me - but for older people, there would be a certain frisson. The BBC wouldn't like it because it is a bit witty. But I am used to rejection." And on death: "What do you mean? I have a bloody coffin ready and waiting full of cat litter in the garage. You have got to be prepared these days. I am a professional. That's why I go to bed early. I am rehearsing for death." Click on the link above for the whole very entertaining article.

In an interview on Sunday with the Telegraph, Tom Baker set the record straight on his comments about Eddie Izzard being in the new series. "I went on the radio last week and told someone it would be Eddie Izzard. I have been putting the word around that it's him, with Sue MacGregor [formerly of Radio 4's "Today" programme] as his assistant. Sue MacGregor is a joke, but Eddie Izzard would be politically interesting..." In other words, don't count on it. (And we've since heard in the papers from Eddie, who discounted it anyway.) (Thanks to Steve Tribe)

Bill Nighy appears to be the front-runner for the role of the Doctor, being writer/producer Russell Davies' first choice. Now, another article in the Telegraph quotes television presenter Richard Bacon, who says the veteran actor is a "shoo-in" for the job. "I'm very good mates with the League of Gentlemen writer Mark Gatiss, who's going to be writing the show with Russell T. Davies. Mark says it's Nighy for the lead, and he's in the know on this." Of course, this is all second hand. (And the quest continues... Thanks to Matthew Sweet)

An article in the new The Sun claims actor Andrew Lincoln ("This Life," "Teachers") is on the BBC's "wish list" of actors to play the Doctor. The story hasn't been corroborated anywhere else, leading us to believe it's just a publicity move.
      Outpost Gallifrey would like to assure all of our loyal readers while we're following all of these leads, it's very likely that these are simple publicity put out by agents to increase visibility for their celebrities.

Today's Sunday Times weighs in on the debate over who the next Doctor is with a startling announcement: they say that it's Bill Nighy -- previously said to be Russell T Davies favourite -- to be the Doctor in the new series. Says the article by Arts Editor Richard Brooks, "The BBC is to approach Bill Nighy, one of BritainÆs most sought after character actors, to become the new Dr Who. Nighy, who played the crusading newspaper editor in the BBCÆs hit political thriller State of Play, is said by friends to be very interested in the role." The article does go on to mention other actors: "Other names mentioned include Alan Cumming, Jonathan Pryce, Paul McGann, the black actor Chiwetel Ejiofor ["Dirty Pretty Things"], Eddie Izzard and Mark Gatiss, from BBC2Æs The League of Gentlemen." You can read the full article by clicking here. Please note that we haven't heard whether this is the real thing or not, but apparently a lot of people read this article and let us know!

Australian journalist, writer and actor Chris Thomas has his sights on travelling through time in the TARDIS and taking on the Daleks, after launching a campaign to become the next Doctor Who, according to local papers in Australia. The eclectic Thomas, age 31, lives in Perth, Western Australia, and has a string of stage credits to his name; he says he is determined to be considered for the coveted role. "I know it's a long shot but when you get one chance to fulfil your ultimate ambition, then surely it's worth doing all you can to pursue it?" he says. "There are bound to be howls of protest from some quarters when they hear an Australian wants to take on the part but it's simply a matter of doing it with a British accent. Besides, Sylvester McCoy had a notable Scottish lilt when he played the role." Thomas is asking fans to write to the BBC to suggest his name. Innnnteresting.... (Thanks to Rick Hughes)

Daily strip in the October 3 "Guardian" by Steve Bell, "Queer as Daleks"... featuring Tony Blair and his cronies as Daleks at the Labour Party conference. Bell's done Blair as a Dalek before but this must be a reference to Russell Davies & the new show... closet Who fan??

BBC News responds to yesterday's claims by Tom Baker that Eddie Izzard would be the next Doctor: "The corporation says no final decision has been made on who will star in the TV show when it returns in 2005," says the report. "A BBC spokesman described Baker's comments as speculation." Read the full article here.
          Dead Ringers' Jon Culshaw was interviewed on BBC1's about the Labour Party conference. The conversation moved to Iraq & the Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon. Culshaw said he was delighted that "Dr Hoon was returning' and that he didn't feel that they would have much problem against the Ice Warriors! A bit of free series publicity there... (Thanks to Stephen Graves, Steve Jones)