David Tennant Accepts Damages from News Group NewspapersBookmark and Share

Wednesday, 31 January 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Doctor Number Ten, David Tennant, has accepted substantial undisclosed damages from News Group Newspapers, the publishers of the now-closed News of the World, over a historic phone-hacking claim.

The Newspaper group owned by Rupert Murdoch has settled the case and apologised to the actor for the misuse of private information.

Tennant was among six people to settle claims on Tuesday, including actress Sophia Myles who played Reinette in the 2006 Doctor Who story The Girl in the Fireplace.

The lawsuit was launched in March 2017, and relates to activities by journalists on the Sunday Tabloid, which closed in 2011 after it was revealed that a number of phones belonging to people in the news had been hacked.

Lawyer Sara Mansoori said that Tennant is a very private individual and he is outraged and shocked by the invasions of his privacy by individuals working for, or acting on behalf, of the News of the World".

Ben Silverstone, acting on behalf of News Group Newspapers, said the company offered sincere apologies for the distress caused, and it accepted no right to intrude into his private life in any way.

In 2013 Christopher Eccleston also received a public apology, substantial damages and his legal costs from the company.




FILTER: - David Tennant

Jeremy Wilkin 1930-2017Bookmark and Share

Monday, 29 January 2018 - Reported by Marcus

The actor Jeremy Wilkin has died at the age of 87.

Jeremy Wilkin played Professor Kellman in the 1975 Doctor Who television story Revenge of the Cybermen.

He was best known for his extensive work with Gerry Anderson, providing the voice for many characters, including Virgil Tracy in Thunderbirds, Captain Ochre and Captain Black in Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, and many characters in the series Joe 90 and The Secret Service.

He was a recurring cast member for the live-action series UFO playing Skydiver Navigator Lt. Gordon Maxwell.

Jeremy Wilkin was born in Byfleet, Surrey and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

He lived in Canada for many years establishing a career as a television actor appearing in series such as Encounter, Cannonball, and Folio.

He returned to the UK in the mid-sixties appearing the ITV fantasy series Undermind as Drew Heriot, a personnel manager inadvertently drawn into a sinister plot to control human minds and sow discord in society.

After coming to the attention of producer Gerry Anderson he was engaged to take over the role of Virgil Tracy for the second series of Thunderbirds following the departure of the character's original voice actor, David Holliday. It was the start of a long relationship with the studios.

As well as his appearance in Doctor Who he had a memorable appearance in the first episode of Blake’s 7 playing Dev Tarrant, the man who betrayed Blake.

In the 1980's he appeared as Nat Kinsley in the BBC series County Hall as well as roles in Reilly: Ace of Spies, the Secret Army spin-off Kessler and in the Yorkshire TV series Number 10.

Jeremy Wilkin died on 19th December 2017.




FILTER: - Classic Series - Obituary

The Doctors: Monsters!Bookmark and Share

Sunday, 28 January 2018 - Reported by Marcus
The Doctors: Monsters!  (Credit: Koch Media)
The Doctors: Monsters! is to be released by Koch Media on 2-disc DVD 5th March.

This DVD is a unique compilation of one documentary special, I Was a Doctor Who Monster! and five titles from the Reeltime Pictures acclaimed Myth Makers series.

For the first time Doctor Who fans can learn about the men and women that brought to life the monsters that sent them “behind the sofa”! ‘I Was a Doctor Who Monster!’ is hosted by the seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy, and ‘Myth Makers’ is presented by Nicholas Briggs, who interviews the stars and production staff of Doctor Who to find out the story behind the world's favourite Sci-Fi television series.

In this special release, you can meet a plethora of people who played monsters as diverse as DALEKS, CYBERMEN, YETI, FISH PEOPLE, MARSHMEN …

With an introduction by Nicholas Briggs and Producer/Director Keith Barnfather.

Koch Media Presents The Doctors: Monsters! on 2-disc DVD from 5th March 2017

Amazon Link




FILTER: - Blu-ray/DVD

Alister Pearson Prints for Sale for CharityBookmark and Share

Friday, 26 January 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Fantom Events are selling a limited number of Alister Pearson art prints in aid of the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), a veterinary charity in the United Kingdom.

Each card is available for £5 per A4 print, plus an additional £1 per order towards postage (varying rates for overseas).

Alister Pearson has allowed Fantom to sell these prints which are normally exclusive to Fantom event ticket holders. This one-off opportunity will last until the end of the month, or whilst stock lasts.

Cards Include:
  • Delta And The Bannermen 
  • The Tomb Of The Cybermen 
  • The Enemy Of The World 
  • Revenge Of The Cybermen 
  • The Pirate Planet 
  • The War Machines 
  • The Five Doctors 
  • Remembrance Of The Daleks 
  • Mindwarp 
  • Planet Of The Daleks 
  • Talons Of Weng-chiang 
  • The Key To Time 
  • Survival 
  • Pyramids Of Mars
If you are interested please contact Fantom via their website




FILTER: - Charities - Merchandise

Win Tickets to Doctor Who PremiereBookmark and Share

Thursday, 25 January 2018 - Reported by Marcus
BBC Radio One is offering the chance to win two VIP tickets to the exclusive premiere of the new series of Doctor Who including a chance to meet the brand new Thirteenth Doctor herself, Jodie Whittaker.

To enter you will need to text the correct answer to a multiple choice question.

Once you’ve entered, you have to listen to the Radio 1 Breakfast Show at 8am. There you will be given you a word that you’ll need to answer your phone with if you are called live on the radio. If you don't answer with the correct word, you won't win.

Texts are charged at your standard message rate.

To enter you just need to answer this question:

What is the name of the device that the Doctor often carries?
  • If you think it’s ‘SONIC SCREWDRIVER’ text DOCTOR A, followed by your name & age to 81199.
  • If you think it’s ‘SONIC SPATULA’ text DOCTOR B, followed by your name & age to 81199.
  • If you think it’s ‘SONIC SPADE’ text DOCTOR C, followed by your name & age to 81199.
Only one text will be counted per phone each day. If you enter more than once the others won’t be counted but you will be charged.

You must be 16 or over to enter. Winners aged under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult aged 18 or over.

Don’t forget, once you’ve entered, you must to listen to the Radio 1 Breakfast Show at 8am tomorrow. Grimmy will give you a word that you’ll need to answer your phone with if you are called live on the radio.




FILTER: - Competitions - Jodie Whittaker - Thirteenth Doctor

Lethbridge-Stewart: LineageBookmark and Share

Sunday, 21 January 2018 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Candy Jar Books has announced a new collection of short stories. Lethbridge-Stewart: Lineage is a series of tales about the Lethbridge-Stewart family from the early 1600s right up to the present day (including three brand new adventures featuring the Brigadier himself).

Lethbridge-Stewart: Lineage (Credit: Candy Jar Books)Lineage
Stories by Andrew Allen, Harry Draper, Richard Dinnick, Gareth Madgwick, Wink Taylor, Chris Lynch, David A McIntee and Andy Frankham-Allen
Edited by Andy Frankham-Allen


The Lethbridge-Stewart name carries with it stories of integrity, honour and courage. But was it always so?

From its earliest origins with the Clan Stewart in Scotland, and the Lethbridges in Devon, England, the name has a storied past. Historical figures, history makers, miitary heroes…

Lethbridge-Stewart: Lineage presents six brand-new tales from some of the most popular authors previously published in The HAVOC Files collection, as well as one from the creative mind of writer and film maker Chris Lynch.


Based on characters created and inspired by Mervyn Haisman & Henry Lincoln.

The stories take place during the 1600s, 1800s, 1940s, 1970s, and 2010, and explore the ancestors and descendents of Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart. Head of Publishing, Shaun Russell says:
We’ve been pondering doing a collection like this for some time, but it never seemed to be the right time. But with the impending fiftieth anniversary of the first appearance of the Brig in Doctor Who, combined with the recent appearance of the Brigadier’s grandfather in Twice Upon a Time, and the positive response that garnered, it seemed that the time was, finally, now.

Editor Andy Frankham-Allen says:
I love exploring the Brigadier’s lineage, be it his immediate family in the shape of his mother and father, or his descendents, in the shape of his son and grandchildren. But I’ve always wanted to go deeper, to look at some other Lethbridge-Stewarts, or indeed Stewarts and Lethbridges, to find out what kind of impact they had on the world. Sometimes that impact can be huge, and sometimes it can be the smallest thing that has the biggest repercussions. With this collection, we get to explore some of the lesser known ancestors, and introduce some never even mentioned before. And, of course, we get to visit the rising star that is Lucy Wilson, the Brigader’s adventuring grandaughter!

Authors include Richard Dinnick, with Shaun observing:
We are delighted popular Doctor Who author Richard Dinnick is contributing a story to the Lethbridge-Stewart Lineage collection, tentatively called The Soothsayer and set in 1603. Richard's first piece of professional fiction was produced by Big Finish in 2005, a short story called Neptune, the first of a two-part story, the second of which was written by our range editor, Andy Frankham-Allen. This was followed by a co-authored audio script, also with Andy, for the Space 1889 series, The Lunar Inheritance. He has since gone on to write countless Doctor Who stories for Big Finish, BBC Books and Titan comics. And plenty of non-Doctor Who stuff too!

Lethbridge-Stewart: Lineage will be available as a hardback for a strictly limited time, and is available for pre-order now. This volume does not form part of any bundle offer.



There are also two free Lethbridge-Stewart stories currently available for download via the Candy Jar website.

What’s Past is Prologue by David A McIntee, and The Note by Andy Frankham-Allen were released over the festive period to subscribers of the Lethbridge-Stewart series, and are now available to the general public.

The two stories are connected by a Lethbridge-Stewart family secret which has its origins in 1902 and is not revealed until 1945. Both stories focus on the relationship between the original Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart, the British Intelligence operative from the early twentieth century, after whom the Brigadier was named, and his brother, Archie. Not only do the stories feature the Brigadier’s namesake, but also takes a deeper look into the life of his father, Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart.

Range Editor and author, Andy Frankham-Allen explains:
This story plays with family secrets, adding further depth to the Lethbridge-Stewart legacy. So, now we have a story set in 1917 that sets up the secret from 1902, and a story set in 1945 which reveals what really did, or did not, happen.

Both stories can be found via the Candy Jar website.

Lethbridge-Stewart: What's Past Is Prologue (Credit: Candy Jar Books) Lethbridge-Stewart: The Note (Credit: Candy Jar Books)




FILTER: - Books - Candy Jar Books - Lethbridge-Stewart

Peter Wyngarde 1927-2018Bookmark and Share

Thursday, 18 January 2018 - Reported by Marcus
The actor Peter Wyngarde has died at the age of 90.

Peter Wyngarde was best known for playing Jason King, the bestselling novelist turned sleuth who appeared in the British television series Department S and Jason King, inspiring the Mike Myers character Austin Powers. He appeared in the 1984 Doctor Who story Planet of Fire playing Timanov the devout religious leader of the planet Sarn.

Peter Wyngarde's origins are shrouded in mystery with the actor himself giving different accounts of his parents and birthplace. He is believed to have been born in France in the late 1920's, with 1927 being the most authoritative date. He grew up in the far east and during World War II was interned in the Lunghua internment camp in Shanghai, set up by the Japanese for European and American citizens living in the city.

After the war, he sailed to the United Kingdom on the Cunard White Star Line vessel the Arawa, arriving in Southampton at the age of 18.

After briefly studying law he joined an advertising agency and in 1946 won his first professional role in the theatre. One of his earliest roles was a production of Noël Coward's Present Laughter at the Theatre Royal, Birmingham.

His first television appearance was a bit part in the 1949 production of Dick Barton Strikes Back. He soon graduated to leading roles playing John the Baptist in the 1956 version of Jesus of Nazareth and Sydney Carton in A Tale of Two Cities.

In 1959 he played Lt Jan Wicziewsky in South one of the earliest gay-themed British TV dramas. the play came just two years after the Wolfenden Report, when homosexuality was still very much a taboo subject, making Wyngarde’s impassioned performance all the more extraordinary.

In 1969 Wyngarde won the role that would make him a household name in the espionage series Department S. He played the suave womaniser Jason King, a character so popular that he was spun off into his own action espionage series Jason King, which ran for one season of 26 fifty-minute episodes. The series enjoyed global success with Wyngarde briefly becoming an international celebrity.

During the seventies, he has a succession of smaller roles on television. in 1973 he played the King of Siam in a revival of the musical The King and I at London's Adelphi Theatre. In 1980 he appeared as the masked character Klytus in the film Flash Gordon.

In 1984 he made his appearance in Doctor Who playing Timanov. He wanted to play the part in heavy disguise but was persuaded by producer John Nathan Turner to show his face.

Wyngarde virtually retired from acting after a throat infection forced his withdrawal from a stage production of The Cabinet of Dr Caligari. His public appearances were mainly restricted to Memorabilia events.

Peter Wyngarde died at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London on 15 January 2018.




FILTER: - Classic Series - Obituary

Time Shadows: Second NatureBookmark and Share

Tuesday, 16 January 2018 - Reported by Marcus
Time Shadows: Second Nature (Credit: Pseudoscope Publishing)A new unauthorized Doctor Who short-story anthology, Time Shadows: Second Nature, has been published by Pseudoscope Publishing.

All sale proceeds from the project will be donated to CODE, which advances literacy and learning in Canada and around the world

The publication is a follow-up to the first Time Shadows, which has raised over USD $1,100 for charity to date. Second Nature features all televised Doctors up to the Twelfth Doctor, across 23 stories, including an epic, multi-part framing story.

Everywhere he goes, the Doctor is confronted by mysteries and marvels, danger and delight.

Along the way, the Doctor encounters a medieval knight in a supermarket; some time-displaced Vikings; a weapon from the Time War; a stain on his office carpet, which poses a threat greater than Bill can imagine; and so much more.

He brings hope to the oppressed; he never gives up and never gives in. To the Doctor, that is Second Nature.
The anthology is edited by Stephen Hatcher, with a foreword by John Peel.

It features stories by Violet Addison & David N. Smith, Simon Blake, Simon A. Brett, Ian K. Cimm, Kate Coleman, Paul Driscoll, Ian Farrington, David Gibbons, Michael Gilroy-Sinclair, Grace Haddon, Stephen Hatcher, Roger McCoy, Mark McManus, Greg Maughan, Stuart S. Roth, Jenny Shirt, Dale Smith, Paul Sutton, Daniel Tessier, Nick Walters, Joshua Wanisko, Paul Williams and Anthony Wilson.

Cover art is by Iain Robertson. Illustration by Paul Cowan.

Ordering information for Time Shadows: Second Nature is available from the Pseudoscope Publishing website




FILTER: - Books

David Fisher 1929-2018Bookmark and Share

Thursday, 11 January 2018 - Reported by Marcus
The writer David Fisher has died at the age of 88.

David Fisher wrote four Doctor Who stories, all starring the Fourth Doctor Tom Baker. 

His first contribution to the series came in 1978 when he wrote two stories in the Key to Time season. The first, The Stones of Blood, was a Hammeresque story featuring blood eating rocks. It won praise for its depiction of strong female characters including Professor Rumford played by Beatrix Lehmann.

He wrote the following story The Androids of Tara, a story inspired by the Anthony Hope novel The Prisoner of Zenda.

In 1979 he returned to the series with the story The Creature from the Pit. He was also working on a story for this series called A Gamble with Time, but for personal reasons had to relinquish the story and hand it on to Script editor Douglas Adams to finish what became the widely acclaimed story City of Death.

His final contribution was for the season eighteen opener The Leisure Hive.

David Fisher's other work for television has included writing for Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense, Hammer House of Horror, The Mackinnons, General Hospital, Crown Court, Sutherland's Law, The Lotus Eaters, Crime of Passion, The Troubleshooters, Dixon of Dock Green, This Man Craig and Orlando.

David Fisher was born 13th April 1929. He died on the 10th January 2018.




FILTER: - Classic Series - Obituary - Production

Doctor Who: Eleventh Doctor Year Three #13Bookmark and Share

Wednesday, 10 January 2018 - Reported by Marcus
On sale today, the finale to ​Titan's ​Eleventh Doctor's Th​ird Year​ adventures.

Doctor Who: Eleventh Doctor Year Three #13

Writer: Alex Paknad​el & Rob Williams
Artist: JB Bastos & Luiz Campello
Cover A: Blair Shedd Cover B: Photo

The third year of the Eleventh Doctor comes to a fiery conclusion!

Can the Sapling escape its destiny?
Doctor Who: Eleventh Doctor Year Three #13 - Cover A (Credit: Titan )Doctor Who: Eleventh Doctor Year Three #13 - Cover B (Credit: Titan )Doctor Who: Eleventh Doctor Year Three #13 - Page 1 (Credit: Titan )Doctor Who: Eleventh Doctor Year Three #13 - Page 2 (Credit: Titan )Doctor Who: Eleventh Doctor Year Three #13 - Page 3 (Credit: Titan )Doctor Who: Eleventh Doctor Year Three #13 - Page 4 (Credit: Titan )





FILTER: - Comics - Eleventh Doctor