Lethbridge-Stewart: Home Fires BurnBookmark and Share

Sunday, 29 September 2019 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Candy Jar Books has announce more details about the first novel in its seventh series of Lethbridge-Stewart novels, Bloodlines:

Lethbridge-Stewart: Home Fires Burn (Credit: Candy Jar Books)Lethbridge-Stewart: Home Fires Burn
Written by Gareth Madgwick
Cover by Richard Young


1943. Britain's Home Front is feeling the pain of war.

The Fourth Operational Corps has other things to worry about. A downed plane in the High Peak leads Professor Travers to a village full of buried secrets and a family that are far more than they seem.

Her first assignment sees new recruit Eileen Le Croissette infiltrating a Sheffield Steelworks. Buried within is a weapon that could change the course of the war, but what does the secretive Mr Huxtable have to do with it?

Avoiding his domineering father, Matthew Lethbridge-Stewart is also on the case. But he wasn't banking on meeting a group of homicidal little robots…

The pieces are being set for another conflict, one that started a long way away, to erupt in the middle of wartime Britain.

Home Fires Burn sees the return of Section Officer Eileen Le Croissette, based on real-life war hero Eileen Younghusband, on her first mission for the Home-Army Fourth Operational Corps, once again alongside Professor Edward Travers. It also features the return of the Brigadier’s uncle, Matthew Lethbridge-Stewart and the Quarks (last seen in the Lethbridge-Stewart novel, Mutually Assured Domination!)

Range Editor Andy Frankham-Allen said:
As with The Laughing Gnome sequence of novels, I came up with an arc in which to tell some non-chronological stories. Shaun and I wanted to highlight some of popular secondary characters, so I looked at which characters would make for a good mix. And, to add to the mix, which monsters had not used independently before. In this instance, the Quarks (baring some comics in the 1960s) always tend to appear alongside their masters the Dominators, so I thought it would be interesting to utilise them without the Dominators. And bearing in mind this first book is set in 1943, that presented the author with another challenge. How to use them without the Dominators, and in a time period long before they ever came to Earth. One other element I wanted to include, just so we had at least one Lethbridge-Stewart in the book, was to bring back the Brig’s uncle, Matthew, a character Gareth handled so well in his previous short story. I’m happy to say Gareth produced a great story that brings all these elements together, as well as honours the great men and women who served our nation during World War II.
This is the first novel by Gareth Madgwick, who had previously written two short stories for the Lethbridge-Stewart range, The Great Magician and Spirits of the Vasty Deep in The HAVOC Files 4 collection, and Inheritance in the Lineage anthology. He said:
I was thrilled when Andy asked me to write my first full length novel, and even more excited when I found out that I would be writing for Edward Travers, Eileen Le Croissette and the Fourth Operational Corps during the war. After all, an eccentric scientist, a confident young woman and a not completely trustworthy military are what the big old Doctor Who universe is all about if, like me, you started with the Pertwee repeats in the ‘90s. The story really began to come together best after Andy asked me to avoid anything that wasn't really known in contemporary literature and science of 1943. That led me down the path of some of the wonderful genre fiction that predated the 1950s, when we think science fiction started. A lot of that has influenced the book in its feel. It's been a blast writing it. Although a massive step up from the two short stories that I'd written for Candy Jar previously, it was a natural progression. I felt that I was combining the character work of Inheritance with the historical research that I did for The Great Magician (although I have to say, Sheffield's libraries have rather a better selection of Second World War material than information on Owain Glyndwr for some reason).
The cover is by returning artist Richard Young, whose previous cover art includes The Flaming Soldier, A Very Private Haunting, and Scary Monsters. Richard said:
I’ve wanted to tackle the Quarks for a long time and knowing that the book is set in Sheffield during the Second World War, I felt that they should have an authentic wartime look. Added to this, I wanted to feature a different picture of Eileen. After a bit of research, Shaun found a wonderful photograph. I just hope people like what I have done.
Gareth adds:
The beautiful cover has really captured the feel of the book.

Home Fires Burn is released to tie-in with the 80th Anniversary of World War II. Shaun Russell, Head of Publishing at Candy Jar Books, explains a little of Eileen’s role in the war:
With eightieth anniversary of the start of the war, we felt that we really wanted to acknowledge the contribution the greatest generation made to all our lives. In 1941 Eileen signed the official secrets act, and wasn’t able to talk about her work in the top secret Filter Room. In 2017 she was featured in The Flaming Soldier and we’ve had so many requests to bring her back. So, here she is launching the new series of books, and this time round her contribution to this story will have major affect on Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart’s life.
Gareth said:
The Second World War is an era that has always fascinated me, including the bravery and steadfastness of those like Eileen Le Croissette (later Candy Jar author Eileen Younghusband). Setting it in the beautiful Peak District and also the nearby Sheffield steelworks gave me an opportunity to look into areas of the war effort that aren't always explored elsewhere, and the sacrifices made.

Home Fires Burn can be pre-ordered now either on its own or as part of the Bloodlines bundle from the Candy Jar website. It is also part of the series seven subscription.




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

Eccleston to attend Gallifrey One ConventionBookmark and Share

Thursday, 26 September 2019 - Reported by Marcus
Ninth Doctor Christopher Eccleston has been announced as a guest at the annual Gallifrey One Convention to be held in Los Angeles early next year.

The appearance will see the actor attend both days of the convention, now in its thirty-first year.

Christopher Eccleston has for many years been reluctant to discuss his time in Doctor Who. He was cast as The Doctor when the series returned in 2005, but only served for one year. The manner of his departure was controversial with the BBC at the time having to apologise for a press release issued on his departure which was inaccurate over the reasons the star left the series.

Eccleston said the incident at the time left him feeling bitter. In recent years he has been more amenable to discussing his role as the Doctor and in his recent autobiography, he paid tribute to the show's fans.
Yes, I have felt bitter, and yes, I have felt betrayed, but I know also that Doctor Who was the best thing that, professionally, ever happened to me, not so much a learning curve as a plunge down a well and a long climb towards the sunshine I see now,

These days, I feel nothing but positive about the show, to the extent I have even started doing conventions, something I’d been wary of because I always wanted to earn my money from acting.
Eccleston has recently released a new memoir I Love the Bones of You: My Father And The Making Of Me, a gritty account of his life, his battles and his relationship with his father, who suffers from dementure. In the book, the actor discusses his mental health, revealing that he has lived with eating disorders and had considered suicide. He revealed that while making Doctor Who he was suffering from anorexia.
People love the way I look in that series, but I was very ill. The reward for that illness was the part. And therein lies the perpetuation of the whole sorry situation.
A spokesperson for the eating disorder charity Beat praised the actor's courage speaking about having anorexia.

In the UK Christopher Eccleston will be discussing the book at a special event being held at the Lowry Theatre in Salford Quays on Monday 14th October.





FILTER: - Christopher Eccleston - Ninth Doctor

TARDIS Laptop BagBookmark and Share

Monday, 23 September 2019 - Reported by Marcus
Credit: LovarziCredit: LovarziA new range of Doctor Who bags has been released by Lovarzi.

The TARDIS Laptop Bag, officially licensed by the BBC, comes in eye-catching blue, emblazoned with the Doctor Who logo.

It contains a soft shell and padded insides with an attachable shoulder strap which turns the carryall into a messenger bag. There's an additional canvas loop on one side, meaning you can attach it to longer luggage handles for easy transportation.

The zip features the Who insignia and you'll find the Seal of Rassilon, a key Gallifreyan symbol, embroidered inside.

The bag has padded pockets inside and out, including one specially made for a 15" laptop and a zipped outer compartment to store documents.

The design is exclusive to Veroli, sister brand of Lovarzi, which has created Doctor Who scarves, jumpers, ties, umbrellas, hats, and gloves since 2012, including the best-selling Fourth Doctor Scarf.

Maninder Singh Sahota, Director of Lovarzi and Veroli, says:
There was never any question about which design we should launch as our new line of Doctor Who unisex bags. Our latest items are the result of years of hard work and planning, so we can't wait for you to see what else we've got in store.
The TARDIS Laptop Bag is available from LOVARZI.co.uk, priced £39.99.




FILTER: - Merchandise

Doctor Who Magazine: Issue 543Bookmark and Share

Wednesday, 18 September 2019 - Reported by Marcus
Doctor Who Magazine: Issue 543 (Credit: Panini)
This month's Doctor Who Magazine takes a new perspective on Doctor Who’s longest-serving producer John Nathan Turner.

Issue 543 of the magazine looks at the legaxy of the contriversal producer and includes previously unseen images from his own scrapbooks!

 Highlights of this issue include:

  • Former Doctor Who script editor Andrew Cartmel describes working with John Nathan-Turner.
  • Sophie Aldred explains how JNT changed her life.
  • Stephen Cranford on what it was like to know JNT as a friend.
  • Writer Philip Martin and actor Nabil Shaban reveal Sil and the Devil Seeds of Arodor.
  • Composer Richard Hartley on recreating his score for 1986’s ‘Mindwarp’.
  • An investigation into the deepest mysteries of regeneration.
  • Your at-a-glance guide to Doctor Who’s post-regeneration stories.
  • An interview with the creators of the new VR game The Edge of Time.
  • The Fact of Fiction explores the 2017 story Knock Knock.
  • DWM’s verdict on Doctor Who: The Collection – Season 23.
  • Part One of Mistress of Chaos, a new comic-strip adventure featuring the Thirteenth Doctor and her friends.
  • The Blogs of Doom, audio reviews, previews, news, prize-winning competitions and much, much more! 


On sale from Thursday 19 September 2019 £5.99 (UK)




FILTER: - DWM

Competition: The Paul McGann YearsBookmark and Share

Sunday, 15 September 2019 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Readers in the United Kingdom have a chance to win of a copy of the latest DVD release from the Reeltime Pictures archive, The Doctors: The Paul McGann Years, courtesy of Koch Media UK:

Reeltime Pictures: The Doctors: The Paul McGann Years [order from Amazon UK

The Doctors - The Paul McGann Years (Credit: Koch Media)This is the definitive set of interviews with the team who brought the Paul McGann era of Doctor Who to life. These six documentaries are the best in-depth interviews with Paul McGann (the Eighth Doctor), Daphne Ashbrook (Grace Holloway), Yee Jee Tso (Chang Lee), Eric Roberts (The Master), Philip Segal (Producer) and Geoffrey Sax (Director) ever undertaken. Presented by Sophie Aldred, Robert Dick and the voice of the Daleks Nicholas Briggs.
To be in with a chance to win a copy of the set, simply answer the following question:
Who was Paul McGann's agent at the time he was cast as the Doctor?
Please send your answer along with your name, address and where you heard about the competition (news site, news app, other website, etc.) to comp-mcgannyears@doctorwhonews.net with the subject "At least Freud would have taken me seriously". Open to readers within the United Kingdom only. Only one entry per household will be accepted. Closing date: Sunday 29th September 2019.




FILTER: - Blu-ray/DVD - Competitions - Paul McGann

Terrance Dicks - A Tribute (Candy Jar Books)Bookmark and Share

Sunday, 15 September 2019 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Candy Jar Books have released a special tribute to Terrance Dicks as a free-to-download PDF.

Terrance Dicks - A Tribute (Credit: candy Jar Books)Last week the world of Doctor Who lost Terrance Dicks. To celebrate the life and career of ‘Uncle Terrance’ Candy Jar has released a free PDF, Terrance Dicks – A Tribute.

Terrance Dicks wrote thirty-five episodes of Doctor Who, including classics such as Horror of Fang Rock and The Five Doctors; he was script editor of the show for six years, overseeing the transition from Patrick Troughton and the entirety of the Jon Pertwee era; he wrote over sixty novelisations of Doctor Who stories; and all this is before even touching on his multiple stage, audio, and non-fiction productions, or his innumerable scripts and children’s books outside of the Who universe.

Wherever stories of the Doctor were being told, Terrance Dicks’ name was sure to be found, whether in the Target Books of the ’70s and ’80s, or the Virgin New Adventures and Big Finish productions throughout the ’90s and 2000s. Through the fallow years before Doctor Who’s return to screens, the fandom was kept alive in no small part to Terrance Dicks’ prodigious output.

He was an ever-present at conventions and on documentaries, a warm, witty and humble custodian of the show he had been so pivotal in developing. In the words of James Middleditch in Candy Jar’s free PDF: “The wisdom and twinkling joy with which he spoke about Doctor Who would… become fundamental to the experience of the series in the 1990s.”

Terrance Dicks – A Tribute is a collection of memories from the authors and artists who were inspired by Terrance’s work. This range of writers and artists – with Nick Walters, Chris Achilleos, Gary Russell, John Levene, John Peel and many more – is a testament to the depth of Terrance’s influence.

In Nick Walters’ own words:
I know for absolute certain that I am not the only writer who will say that Terrance Dicks was a major, if not the major, inspiration for their career. His books, with their clarity of prose, vivid descriptions, and economic yet evocative renditions of televised Doctor Who stories, were our bread and butter.

And it’s not just writers who hold him dear. Shaun Russell, Candy Jar’s head of publishing, was motivated to compile this collection by his own debt to Terrance’s work:
Like a lot of our readers, I grew up on Target’s Doctor Who books. And when we first acquired the rights to Lethbridge-Stewart, it was their example that we aspired to. With those titles – and none more so than in Terrance’s books – you could tell that the storytelling came from a place of deep understanding and genuine love for Doctor Who and its universe.

There’s a great piece in the collection, by George Ivanoff, which talks about Terrance’s wonderful way with opening lines – how he could suck you into a story with just a few words. That’s the standard for us always: that deep knowledge, that genuine affection, but most of all that flair that came pouring off of every page of Terrance’s work. I very much doubt I’d be doing what I am today if it wasn’t for his influence. It was only right that we add Terrance Dicks – A Tribute to the many accolades he will no doubt be receiving over the coming weeks.

The free PDF also includes artwork by Adrian Salmon, Terry Cooper and Paul Cowan.

Terrance Dicks – A Tribute is available free from the Candy Jar website.





FILTER: - Books - Candy Jar Books - Online

NYCC Doctor Who Exclusives From Titan MerchandiseBookmark and Share

Sunday, 15 September 2019 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Those attending this year's New York Comic Con in October will be able to purchase two exclusive vinyl figures from Titan, based on the Doctor from her first series appeaances in Rosa and Kerblam!.

Doctor Who Vinyl Figure - Rosa (Titan, NYCC 2019 exclusive) (Credit: Titan) Doctor Who Vinyl Figure - Kerblam!(Titan, NYCC 2019 exclusive) (Credit: Titan)

The limited edition items will be available from Titan Booth #2142.




FILTER: - Merchandise - Special Events - USA

Step into the Doctor's TARDIS with the new VIVE CosmosBookmark and Share

Friday, 13 September 2019 - Reported by Marcus
VIVE CosmosHTC has teamed up with BBC Studios to offer the chance to embark on a virtual reality adventure through time and space, with Doctor Who.

On Friday 26th and Saturday 27th September, visitors at Hackney’s Protein Studios in London, will have the chance to step into the TARDIS and take up the role of the Doctor’s assistant in Doctor Who: The Edge of Time.

HTC is celebrating the launch of the VIVE Cosmos, its latest premium PC-based Virtual Reality (VR) system. Attendees will be amongst the first to try ‘Doctor Who: The Edge of Time’, produced by Maze Theory for BBC Studios. After stepping into the TARDIS, players will interact with the Doctor themselves and will try to pilot the spacecraft – which is temperamental at the best of times – before embarking on an epic adventure to solve the mystery behind the ‘Reality Virus’.

During the event, visitors will use HTC’s newly released VR headset, the VIVE Cosmos, which is built to be the highest performance and most versatile headset on the market.

Fans can sign up for a free 15-minute slot here or simply turn up on the day to secure a walk-in slot (subject to availability).

Please note, players must be aged 12+.




FILTER: - Games - Special Events

Freema Agyeman returns to Big FinishBookmark and Share

Monday, 9 September 2019 - Reported by Marcus
Torchwood: Dissected  (Credit: Big Finish)Freema Agyeman reprises her role as Martha Jones in a brand new audio adventure from Big Finish Productions.

Torchwood: Dissected sees Agyeman paired up with Eve Myles as Gwen Cooper in Torchwood: Dissected.

Martha Jones who was the companion of the Tenth Doctor in his second series returns to the world of Torchwood in February next year. Freema Agyeman starred in series 3 of New Doctor Who and its spin-off show, Torchwood, before going on to a huge career.

Big Finish Productions has announced it is delighted that Freema is reprising her role in this new Torchwood story, which explores what Martha did after her adventures with the Doctor.

Employed by UNIT, Martha is reunited with former Torchwood colleague Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) – over a dead body...

Gwen Cooper turns up on Martha Jones’s doorstep with a dead body in tow. She needs to ask one final favour of her. And to find out why they stopped being friends.

A lot’s happened to Torchwood since Martha left. A lot’s happened to Martha since she left Torchwood. And there’s something very odd about the dead body Gwen’s brought with her. Tonight she's going to be getting more answers than she bargained for.
Freema Agyeman talked about returning to the character of Martha Jones.
Aw mate, the nostalgia has been quite overwhelming. It really is like stepping into comfortable old shoes. It feels like about five minutes ago and yet so much time has passed. That’s the wonderful thing about the Whoniverse – you never feel on the outside of it. It’s great to be back.
Director Scott Handcock added
I first met Freema back in 2006 working on Doctor Who Confidential. I watched Martha Jones arrive and grow, and it’s a pleasure to welcome her back to the world of Torchwood. It’s something we’ve been chatting about for years, and to finally make it happen with the amazing Eve Myles (who adores her and vice versa) is a real treat!
Writer Tim Foley told us more about uniting two of science fiction’s most courageous female leads
Martha Jones is back! And I’ve locked her in a room with Gwen! It’s such a delight to pit these two against each other. This is quite an experimental story – you’ll be listening to an autopsy in real time, which was such a fun challenge. Luckily for me Eve and Freema spar off each other marvellously, stuck in a lab with nothing but a corpse for company...
Torchwood: Dissected starring Freema Agyeman and Eve Myles, will be released in February 2020 priced at £7.99 on download or £9.99 on CD.




FILTER: - Audio - Big Finish - Torchwood

Lethbridge-Stewart: On His Majesty's National Service updateBookmark and Share

Sunday, 8 September 2019 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Lethbridge-Stewart: On His Majesty's National Service (John Peel) (Credit: Candy Jar Books)Candy Jar Books have announced a change of author for the coda of their The Laughing Gnome series of books.

On His Majesty’s National Service was originally scheduled to be written by David A McIntee and Lynette Nusbacher for a June release. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, David McIntee was unable to continue.

Head of Publishing Shaun Russell said:
I have always been a big fan of David’s outstanding Doctor Who work, and I truly regret having to engage a new author. It is unfortunate that, in David’s own words, he was ‘over committed’, but we’re lucky to have found such a wonderful replacement in John Peel.

The new version of On His Majesty’s National Service will be set during the same period of Lethbridge-Stewart’s life, but will be telling a different story.

Editor Andy Frankham-Allen explained:
John promptly came up with some ideas and a basic outline that fit the shopping list of elements I gave to him – certain story beats needed to be hit, to fit continuity from other books. I did give David the option of allowing John to use elements from his story, should they fit, which David was quite happy to do. However, beyond a few background details, John has opted to go his own way. It’s going to be an exciting adventure story set during the Korean War, in which we see the events that turned Lethbridge-Stewart into the hero we all know and love.

The book is currently available to pre-order from the Candy Jar website.
There was always one question that bugged Bill Bishop, what turned Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart from a man interested in teaching to a career military hero? Using the power of the Laughing Gnome, Bill travels back to the 1950s to find out...

As a young man Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart never wanted to follow in his illustrious family military history, he just wanted to be a maths teacher. But then the Korean War broke out and he was called up for National Service. He soon met Spencer Pemberton – and his life was changed forever!




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