The Ananova newswire service (often spurious with its information) features another report that just crossed the wires: "Jonathan Creek star Alan Davies is the bookies' favourite to become the new Dr Who. ... William Hill have made Alan Davies 8/1 favourite to land the role of the Doctor. Richard E Grant is second favourite followed by Sean Pertwee - whose dad, Jon, played the time lord in the 1970s. Other names in the frame include Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart and Cold Feet star James Nesbitt. And Lenny Henry is 33/1 to become the first black Dr Who in the show's 30 year history." Speculation, of course, but it's speculation about a confirmed new series so why quibble? (Thanks to Steve Freestone!)

The story broke in the Friday morning London Daily Telegraph newspaper, whose webservice featured a headline article (already released to their web service) entitled Doctor Who ready to come out of the Tardis for Saturday TV series by Tom Leonard, Media Editor - an article that hit shortly before midnight UK time Thursday evening. Outpost Gallifrey had received a few emails over the past week hinting that something "was soon to be announced" but waited until the news hit Thursday evening in North America as the Telegraph's article was released, and then we heard that numerous Doctor Who experts such as Mark Campbell ("Pocket Essentials: Doctor Who") and the editors of Doctor Who Magazine were contacted for comment. Shortly after 0400 GMT, BBC News confirmed the story, which has now been carried on most major UK, US and Australia news services (including CNN, MSNBC, ITN News, Associated Press and Reuters).
          The Telegraph article, which was first on the story, said that "in a move that heralds the most eagerly anticipated comeback in television history, BBC1 said yesterday that it is developing a new series of the sci-fi classic," which BBC News confirms will be produced by BBC Wales for BBC-1 Television. But, says the article, "in a development that may alarm purists, the new series is being written by Russell T Davies, the creator of Queer As Folk, the controversial Channel 4 drama about gay life in Manchester, and Bob and Rose, an ITV drama about a homosexual man falling for a straight woman," among his many other television credits, which also include "Second Coming," "Touching Evil," "Springhill" and "The House of Windsor"... and, of course, the Doctor Who: The New Adventures novel "Damaged Goods" for Virgin Publishing. (Davies was also mentioned several years ago as a possible bidder for a new series, a prospect that obviously stayed a possibility...) Davies says he wants to 'introduce the character to a modern audience'. It will also be limited, at this time, to one six-part series, says at least one report.
          Lorraine Heggessey, controller of BBC-1 and a recent champion of Doctor Who, is apparently completely supportive of the whole thing (though she makes note that the Doctor will not be gay, despite the subject matter of the writer's previous material, noting that Davies was chosen because of his knowledge of Doctor Who and experience in television. Heggessey also apparently says in the article that it is "too early to say which of the Doctor's most famous enemies, who include the Cybermen, the Master and the Sea Devils, would return, but insiders said it was unthinkable that the Daleks would not be trundling back into action." Casting has not been undertaken at press time but the article mentions Richard E. Grant, Paul McGann and Alan Davies as possible choices. Heggessey then discusses the rights issues. "Worldwide has now agreed," she says, "that, as they haven't made the film and I've been waiting for two years, it's only right that BBC1 should have a crack at making a series." The series is not likely be be broadcast before 2005. Says Davies: "The new series will be fun, exciting, contemporary and scary."
          The Daily Telegraph article can be read online by clicking here (you have to register, but it's free); the BBCi News report confirming the story is located here. Other news services have been picking up the story over the past few hours... only confirming what we've suspected since word first broke: that Doctor Who fans truly have cause for celebration today.

Researchers in the Speech Technology group at software giant Microsoft have developed a technology they have code-named Dr. Who, which "will allow the computer to travel through our living spaces as a handy electronic Hal pal that answers questions, arranges our calendars, and sends messages to our friends and family." Using speech recognition technology, the prototype uses a handheld device that doubles as a web browser, email device and cellphone. "Let's say we are talking on Instant Messenger, and we're talking about where I should take you for lunch. You realize there is a web service out there that is a restaurant guide, and we can probably ask it to join our conversation. Now this web service is not human, still, with Dr. Who we can type text or use speech to talk to this service. So we can ask it to find a restaurant that's a French restaurant, and not too far away from Microsoft. With a spoken or typed text dialog system we extend the horizon of the project." Read the full article by clicking here.

The newest issue of SFX Magazine has more details about the forthcoming animated adventure "The Scream of the Shalka" starring Richard E. Grant as the new Ninth Doctor. The story of "Shalka" concerns about a town in Lancashire under siege by mysterious forces. As noted prior, there are no continuity references, except for the Doctor and his TARDIS, though it's been quite a while since the last time we saw the Eighth Doctor... some big things have happened in the meanwhile, which we'll find out about as we travel with this incarnation. The ninth Doctor is said to be impatient, a bit angry with humans, but caring and passionate, bitingly witty, vulnerable, brittle and a bit of a snob. While SFX mentions the new companion Alison Cheneym (Sophie Okonedo), Outpost Gallifrey has been told she's the the Doctor's companion in much the same way that Grace was around for the TV movie (or Spandrell was the companion for "The Deadly Assassin"... only "she's prettier than Spandrell, and less keen on the kissing than Grace.") The Doctor's new military liaison Thomas Kennett is played by Irish actor Jim Norton, among whose many roles are appearances in "Father Ted," "Red Dwarf," "Babylon 5" and as Albert Einstein in "Star Trek: The Next Generation". As noted prior, Derek Jacobi is in it, in the following role (protected by spoilers; use your mouse cursor to highlight the following text): Jacobi plays the Master, though OG has been led to believe that it's only a cameo appearance and not a Doctor v. Master face-off like in the TV movie. The animated serial was recorded in mid-June at the BBC facilities at Shepherd's Bush and is directed by stage director Wilson Milam. The Cosgrove Hall company -- responsible for animating "Dangermouse" and "Count Duckula" -- are the animators, and are said to be using the actors' likenesses in a "rich, gothic style". (Thanks to Neil Billinness, Mark Donovan, John Meier)

During an interview by Fern Britton on the June 25 edition of ITV's "This Morning," British actor/presented Shane Ritchie was touted as the "next" Doctor Who. Asked for his reaction to this apparent exclusive, a surprised Ritchie said, "Really? Wouldn't that be great!" I loved all the hat and long scarf." "How would you dress as Dr. Who?" an excited Britton asked him. Ritchie replied: "It would have to be black leather trousers. A Matrix look." "Yes, that's what an updated Doctor needs!" chipped in the other interviewer, former kids TV frontman Philip Scofield who chatted with Sylvester McCoy many times back in the 80's. Of course, we'd like to point out that this is certainly not the way the BBC would have a new Doctor announced, nor do we put any credibility into it... but we've gotten a number of emails about the past couple of days and had to share. (Thanks to everyone who's written in with this story.)

Reporter Paul McIntyre from Australia's ABC Online recently took to the streets of Hobart, Tasmania to find out what television series Australians miss the most... and at the top of their list, "Doctor Who". "Many people told Paul they probably wouldnÆt watch their favourite missed show should it ever be returned to TV," says the article, "for fear of ruining their special memories. It was felt however that programmes such as æDoctor WhoÆ, æThe GoodiesÆ and æAstro BoyÆ should be made available to entertain future generations." The full article can be read by clicking here. (Thanks to "Indigo Blue")

BBC Worldwide today, at long last, issued a massive 27-page press kit called "Doctor Who Celebrates 40th Anniversary in Style" with articles, cover illustrations and press information for its 2003 slate of videos, DVDs, audios and books. Also included in the press package were several feature articles including "It was 40 years ago today...", "Doctor Who Still Makes the Headlines," "Awards," "40 Fabulous Facts" and an article called "Doctor Who: Britain's Best-Loved Eccentric" by Andrew Beech. (And OG was mentioned as one of the primary Doctor Who informational sites.) Following are the three major sections of release information for the forthcoming year. (With special thanks to David Howe, Julian Knott and Steve Roberts)

Doctor Who was voted the most missed television programme in the UK in a survey by the electrical retailer Dixons. 500 customers were asked to vote for the show they wished would come back, restricted to shows that they had not seen for five years. Doctor Who was at #1, followed by Dallas at #2, Blake's 7 at #3, The Goodies at #4 and The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin at #5. The other shows on the list, in order: Just Good Friends, Starsky and Hutch, 3-2-1, Tiswas, Not the Nine O'clock News, Treasure Hunt, The Muppets, Rent-A-Ghost, The Waltons, Man About the House, Hong Kong Phooey, The Adventure Game, Mork and Mindy, Jim'll Fix It, and Bod. (Thanks to Guy Clapperton, Callum Macfarlane)