Sunday, December 30, 2007
Minogue honoured by Queen
Just days after guest starring in the Doctor Who Christmas special Voyage of the Damned - in which she helped to prevent Buckingham Palace from being destroyed, earning the gratitude of the fictional Queen of England! - Kylie Minogue has been announced as receiving an OBE in the annual New Year's Honours list.The OBE - Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire - is one of the highest civilian orders. It is awarded by Queen Elizabeth, on the advice of the British and Commonwealth Governments, and has been given to Minogue for her services to music. Although awards given to non-British nationals are usually purely honorary, as Minogue is an Australian national she is entitled to the full award, as Australia is one of the Commonwealth Realms of which the Queen is Head of State.Minogue is quoted by BBC News as saying: "I am almost as surprised as I am honoured... I feel deeply touched to be acknowledged by the UK, my adopted home, in this way... This last year I have felt so much love and support from everyone as I took greater steps back into the public domain, and it is with absolute gratitude and joy that I say farewell to 2007 and look forward to what the New Year will bring."
'Doctor Who' companions team up to save world
Doctor Who's fourth season will reportedly feature an episode in which three former and current companions will join forces to save the TIme Lord.
According to The Sun, Rose (Billie Piper), Martha (Freema Agyeman) and Donna (Catherine Tate) will seek to fend off an alien invasion together with the help of the Tardis - but minus The Doctor.
An insider told the tabloid: "The chemistry between the three assistants is electric. It is so strong that we realised The Doctor could be in danger of getting in the way. So it is left to the girls to sort things out, having to save civilisation and The Doctor himself."
An episode in each of the past two seasons has barely featured The Doctor, in order to ease the filming schedule for David Tennant. Earlier this year, Blink featured a new heroine called Sally Sparrow investigating sinister statues, while Peter Kay starred as the Absorbaloff in 2006 episode Love And Monsters - with only a brief appearance by The Doctor in both stories.
According to The Sun, Rose (Billie Piper), Martha (Freema Agyeman) and Donna (Catherine Tate) will seek to fend off an alien invasion together with the help of the Tardis - but minus The Doctor.
An insider told the tabloid: "The chemistry between the three assistants is electric. It is so strong that we realised The Doctor could be in danger of getting in the way. So it is left to the girls to sort things out, having to save civilisation and The Doctor himself."
An episode in each of the past two seasons has barely featured The Doctor, in order to ease the filming schedule for David Tennant. Earlier this year, Blink featured a new heroine called Sally Sparrow investigating sinister statues, while Peter Kay starred as the Absorbaloff in 2006 episode Love And Monsters - with only a brief appearance by The Doctor in both stories.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Barrowman wants Dannii for 'Torchwood'
John Barrowman has admitted he wants Dannii Minogue to have a guest role on Torchwood.The versatile actor, who plays omnisexual hero Captain Jack Harkness in the cult BBC2 show, told The Sun: "I’d love it if Dannii appeared in Torchwood. She has an edge and I know she’s a fan of the show."The comments follow the appearance of the X Factor judge's sister Kylie Minogue in the Doctor Who Christmas Special, which garnered impressive ratings. Best known for her music career, Dannii Minogue first rose to prominence in the UK through her role on Australian soap Home and Away.The second season of Torchwood is likely to start on BBC2 in mid-January, with a trailer being screened after Doctor Who on Christmas Day.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Backlash Over RTD Hitler Comment
The Daily Post is reporting that comments made by Executive Producer Russell T. Davies at the preview screening of Voyage of the Damned have caused quite a stir.When asked who from history he would like to see play the Doctor, Davies reportedly jokingly answered "Hitler. He was stern and strong. He would be great."According to the story, some guests laughed, but others were shocked by the remark.One fan later remarked: "Hitler carried out some of the world’s worst atrocities. He ordered the killing of millions of innocent people. I don’t want my kids thinking Hitler and Doctor Who are in any way the same."When David Tennant was then asked the same question, he reportedly declined to answer.
Outdoor Screenings Of Christmas Special
Seven city squares across England will be hosting outdoor screenings of Voyage of the Damned later this week.The Doctor Who Christmas special will be running continuously from 10am to 4pm on Thursday, December 27 in a move designed to promote the BBC's iPlayer download service.The screenings will be at:Bradford (Centenary Square)Derby (Market Place)Hull (Queen Victoria Square)Leeds (Millennium Square)Liverpool (Clayton Square)Manchester (Exchange Square)Rotherham (All Saints Square)Viewers in the United Kingdom can download the episode, using the BBC iPlayer, for the next seven days to then watch for a limited time.
Record-breaking ratings for "Voyage"
Unofficial figures show that the 2007 Christmas special Voyage of the Damned was watched by 12.2 million viewers, a 50% share of the total television audience. This is the highest rating the show has achieved since its return in 2005.The programme was the second most watched of the day, being beaten by the edition of EastEnders immediately following Doctor Who.The audience peaked in the last fifteen minutes of the show with a massive 13.8 million watching, nearly 55% of the audience. The five minute breakdown shows that over 15 million watched the last five minutes of the programme.The day was a triumph for the BBC, with BBC One taking 9 of the top ten places. Against the Doctor, Emmerdale on ITV1 could only manage 5.8 million, with the Evening News only getting 3.8 million.The previous highest rated episode of the new series was Rose, which got 10.8 million viewers. If confirmed these figures will make Voyage of the Damned the highest rated episode of Doctor Who in over 28 years. It has the largest audience since the 1979 Tom Baker story City of Death, which had the advantage of being broadcast when ITV was on strike and BBC1 was one of only two channels broadcasting.In the Children's Charts, Doctor Who was top of the list with 2.2 million under 16's watching, an incredible 65.3% share of the audience. Final figures, including data for those who recorded the programme and watched it later, will be released by BARB in two weeks time.Several news sources are running stories on the BBC's Christmas Day dominance, including Doctor Who's large viewing figure. These include The Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Sun, BBC News, The Daily Mail and Reuters.
'It’s great to see Kylie back to her old self'
KYLIE MINOGUE’S family have spoken of their joy at her resurgence over the past 12 months – but have revealed they are not keen on her new Marilyn Monroe look.
The Australian singer’s comeback single, 2 Hearts, stormed into the top 10 of the charts, as did her new album, X, while her appearance in yesterday’s Doctor Who Christmas special guaranteed her a central position in the festive television schedules.
Ron Riddiford, Kylie’s great-uncle, who lives in Maesteg, told the Western Mail he was pleased that Kylie is “back to her old, lovely self” and filming again.
But he said he prefers her natural look, as opposed to the Marilyn Monroe gear she sports in the video for 2 Hearts.
Mr Riddiford, 75, brother of Kylie’s grandmother Millie, said, “I don’t think much of the new images really; I prefer Kylie.
“And Doctor Who isn’t really my cup of tea but it is nice to see her getting on well.”
Kylie spent some time filming in Swansea, where she was making the show with star David Tennant, shooting several scenes outside the Exchange Buildings in Adelaide Street last summer.
But, instead of the Marilyn look, that time she was dressed in stockings and knee-length high-heeled boots for her role as a maid on the doomed Titanic in the Christmas episode Voyage of the Damned, which featured a much-pictured kiss between her and the Doctor.
Mr Riddiford said, “We hear all about her progress from her mother Carol, who came back to see us in Maesteg several weeks ago.
“We met her in the old house, and we all had a family meal and spent the afternoon together.
“She told us Kylie was working hard and she is looking good and sounding great.
“It is a good few years since Kylie came to see us.
“But when Kylie is in Wales she also likes to go up to Blaenau Ffestiniog in North Wales, where she has family too.”
Dennis Riddiford, also Kylie’s great-uncle, who lives near Port Talbot, fondly remembers the days when Kylie would visit and go for a walk in the local woods with him, grandmother Millie and the family.
He realises that Kylie travels a lot with her hectic celebrity lifestyle and he was pleased to have caught up with her in Australia a few years ago.
He said, “I travelled up to Manchester hoping to see her again in concert [in May 2005] and to see her sister Dannii too; they are so similar.
“But Kylie was taken ill on the day I went, shortly before she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I couldn’t see her.
“The cancer was a horrible shock, I was terribly worried but, touch wood, she has got over it and is fighting fit again.”
Kylie received huge public sympathy after her breast cancer was diagnosed, and there was enormous interest in her plight as she underwent treatment.
She was operated on in an Australian hospital on May 21, 2005, before completing her course of chemotherapy in a private hospital in Paris.
She was eventually given the all-clear in January 2006, and in the past 12 months has returned to public life, while remaining a high-profile advocate for cancer screening and support groups
Mr Riddiford said he had kept up to date on Kylie’s progress through her traumatic time by keeping in regular contact with her mother.
“I’m partially blind so I don’t tend to get the newspapers and magazines,” he said.
“But I spoke to Kylie’s mother Carol the other day, who said she’s keeping fine.
“And I’m hoping to get a Christmas card off Kylie again this year, like I did last year.”
The Australian singer’s comeback single, 2 Hearts, stormed into the top 10 of the charts, as did her new album, X, while her appearance in yesterday’s Doctor Who Christmas special guaranteed her a central position in the festive television schedules.
Ron Riddiford, Kylie’s great-uncle, who lives in Maesteg, told the Western Mail he was pleased that Kylie is “back to her old, lovely self” and filming again.
But he said he prefers her natural look, as opposed to the Marilyn Monroe gear she sports in the video for 2 Hearts.
Mr Riddiford, 75, brother of Kylie’s grandmother Millie, said, “I don’t think much of the new images really; I prefer Kylie.
“And Doctor Who isn’t really my cup of tea but it is nice to see her getting on well.”
Kylie spent some time filming in Swansea, where she was making the show with star David Tennant, shooting several scenes outside the Exchange Buildings in Adelaide Street last summer.
But, instead of the Marilyn look, that time she was dressed in stockings and knee-length high-heeled boots for her role as a maid on the doomed Titanic in the Christmas episode Voyage of the Damned, which featured a much-pictured kiss between her and the Doctor.
Mr Riddiford said, “We hear all about her progress from her mother Carol, who came back to see us in Maesteg several weeks ago.
“We met her in the old house, and we all had a family meal and spent the afternoon together.
“She told us Kylie was working hard and she is looking good and sounding great.
“It is a good few years since Kylie came to see us.
“But when Kylie is in Wales she also likes to go up to Blaenau Ffestiniog in North Wales, where she has family too.”
Dennis Riddiford, also Kylie’s great-uncle, who lives near Port Talbot, fondly remembers the days when Kylie would visit and go for a walk in the local woods with him, grandmother Millie and the family.
He realises that Kylie travels a lot with her hectic celebrity lifestyle and he was pleased to have caught up with her in Australia a few years ago.
He said, “I travelled up to Manchester hoping to see her again in concert [in May 2005] and to see her sister Dannii too; they are so similar.
“But Kylie was taken ill on the day I went, shortly before she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I couldn’t see her.
“The cancer was a horrible shock, I was terribly worried but, touch wood, she has got over it and is fighting fit again.”
Kylie received huge public sympathy after her breast cancer was diagnosed, and there was enormous interest in her plight as she underwent treatment.
She was operated on in an Australian hospital on May 21, 2005, before completing her course of chemotherapy in a private hospital in Paris.
She was eventually given the all-clear in January 2006, and in the past 12 months has returned to public life, while remaining a high-profile advocate for cancer screening and support groups
Mr Riddiford said he had kept up to date on Kylie’s progress through her traumatic time by keeping in regular contact with her mother.
“I’m partially blind so I don’t tend to get the newspapers and magazines,” he said.
“But I spoke to Kylie’s mother Carol the other day, who said she’s keeping fine.
“And I’m hoping to get a Christmas card off Kylie again this year, like I did last year.”
Ten Things You Never Knew About David Tennant
It's been a whirlwind ride for David Tennant since he crash landed on our screens as the tenth Doctor in 2005. Almost from the first time the theatre regular stepped into the Tardis, he's been showered with accolades of all shapes and sizes for his cheeky take on the role. He's been named the coolest character on TV, the most powerful actor and the sexiest man in the universe, not to mention Doctor Who's best ever leading man. But what does the nation's favourite extraterrestrial get up to when he's not wise-cracking his way through time and space? As he prepares to save the world again in the show's Christmas Special, we dish up ten fascinating facts about the Time Lord's most dashing alter-ego.
1. David was born David John McDonald in 1971 in West Lothian, Scotland. His father was a Presbyterian minister and is now a member of the Scottish cabinet.
2. David was barely out of nappies when he decided to become an actor. He recalls: "I was very small, about 3 or 4 I think, and just wanted to be the people on telly telling these wonderful stories. Obviously the idea grew and matured with me but I can't ever remember wanting to do anything else."
3. David was so crazy about Doctor Who as a child that he had a Tom Baker doll, made his gran knit him a multi-coloured scarf and once wrote a school essay declaring that he would one day play the role.
4. David is a huge fan of Madonna. The first single he bought was 'Like A Virgin' and he credits the Queen of pop with kick-starting his his sexual awakening at the age of 13. Oo-er!
5. David took his pseudonym from Pet Shop Boy Neil Tennant after finding that another actor shared his real name. He explains: "I was on the bus looking through Smash Hits and I saw Neil Tennant. I thought it would be a good name as it's got a good number of consonants in it." Well, it's as sensible a reason as any!
6. David once lodged with Arabella Weir from The Fast Show and is godfather to her youngest child. He says of the experience: "She probably corrupted me, but I probably needed corrupting a little bit."
7. David received such a scathing review playing King Arthur on stage in only his second job that it made him weep. The critic wrote: "The cast of 18 are uniformly excellent with the exception of David Tennant, who lacks any charm or ability whatsoever." No doubt that nasty man is eating his words now.
8. David counts McDonald's restaurants, astrology, Cliff Richard and the Conservative party among his biggest dislikes. On the other hand, he adores Honeynut Shredded Wheat, Alfred Hitchcock, The West Wing and The Proclaimers.
9. David has auditioned no fewer than six times for a part in Scottish detective drama Taggart, with no success. Maybe it's worth giving it one more shot, Dave!
10. David held farting contests with John Barrowman on the Doctor Who set. After finding out that Freema Agyeman was less than keen on the practice, the they began "saving them up" and waiting until she walked past to "thunder one out". Charming!
1. David was born David John McDonald in 1971 in West Lothian, Scotland. His father was a Presbyterian minister and is now a member of the Scottish cabinet.
2. David was barely out of nappies when he decided to become an actor. He recalls: "I was very small, about 3 or 4 I think, and just wanted to be the people on telly telling these wonderful stories. Obviously the idea grew and matured with me but I can't ever remember wanting to do anything else."
3. David was so crazy about Doctor Who as a child that he had a Tom Baker doll, made his gran knit him a multi-coloured scarf and once wrote a school essay declaring that he would one day play the role.
4. David is a huge fan of Madonna. The first single he bought was 'Like A Virgin' and he credits the Queen of pop with kick-starting his his sexual awakening at the age of 13. Oo-er!
5. David took his pseudonym from Pet Shop Boy Neil Tennant after finding that another actor shared his real name. He explains: "I was on the bus looking through Smash Hits and I saw Neil Tennant. I thought it would be a good name as it's got a good number of consonants in it." Well, it's as sensible a reason as any!
6. David once lodged with Arabella Weir from The Fast Show and is godfather to her youngest child. He says of the experience: "She probably corrupted me, but I probably needed corrupting a little bit."
7. David received such a scathing review playing King Arthur on stage in only his second job that it made him weep. The critic wrote: "The cast of 18 are uniformly excellent with the exception of David Tennant, who lacks any charm or ability whatsoever." No doubt that nasty man is eating his words now.
8. David counts McDonald's restaurants, astrology, Cliff Richard and the Conservative party among his biggest dislikes. On the other hand, he adores Honeynut Shredded Wheat, Alfred Hitchcock, The West Wing and The Proclaimers.
9. David has auditioned no fewer than six times for a part in Scottish detective drama Taggart, with no success. Maybe it's worth giving it one more shot, Dave!
10. David held farting contests with John Barrowman on the Doctor Who set. After finding out that Freema Agyeman was less than keen on the practice, the they began "saving them up" and waiting until she walked past to "thunder one out". Charming!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
The Master reborn... in polystone
Weta Collectibles has revealed the latest in their line of Doctor Who statuettes. The statue depicts the Master, as played by Roger Delgado in the character's first appearance, Terror of the Autons. The one-sixth scale miniature shows the Master in his black suit, holding his Tissue Compression Eliminator and standing over the body of an inanimate Auton.Weta has previously released a Dalek and Cybercontroller from the new series; the Master statuette is the first Weta release to depict an element from classic Doctor Who.
Tennant on Four
This Saturday David Tennant stars in the BBC Radio Four Saturday Play ,The Wooden Overcoat.The comic murder mystery, by Pamela Branch, is set in London in 1951, and is adapted by Mark Gatiss. It also stars Graham Crowden.The play can be heard on Radio Four at 1430GMT. After transmission it will be available via the BBC Listen Again feature for the next seven days.
Much to his surprise, Benji Cann has got away with murder. He gravitates to the Asterisk Club, a place of refuge for those who have strayed beyond the pale and not paid the ultimate price. But then Benji turns up dead. Who killed him and how will they be able to get rid of the body without the neighbours noticing?
Much to his surprise, Benji Cann has got away with murder. He gravitates to the Asterisk Club, a place of refuge for those who have strayed beyond the pale and not paid the ultimate price. But then Benji turns up dead. Who killed him and how will they be able to get rid of the body without the neighbours noticing?
Voyage Items To Go On Show
The Doctor Who Exhibitions and Museum website is reporting that items from this year's Christmas special, Voyage of the Damned, are due to go on display in London from next Easter.They will be among other costumes, props and monsters from the series on show at the Museum Hall, beneath Earls Court Exhibition Centre.This is not the first Doctor Who connection for Earls Court. In 1997, the Metropolitan Police put up a Tardis-style police box just outside the Underground station, with a closed-circuit TV camera in place of the rooflight.
Tennant, Simm and Minogue's Hootenanny
David Tennant, John Simm and Kylie Minogue will help welcome in 2008 on Jools's Annual Hootenanny.The pre-recorded BBC2 programme includes Minogue singing, with Tennant and Simm among the audience - and Tennant reportedly dances and sings by the stage of rising star Kate Nash during her performance.The show airs from 11.05pm on New Year's Eve until 1.15am on New Year's Day.
Fox family fury as Billie bans children from wedding
It was supposed to be one of the showbiz events of the year. . . a glittering, romantic ceremony attended by some of Britain's best-known stars.
But Billie Piper's wedding to Gosford Park actor Laurence Fox has descended into acrimony over a decision to ban children from the event – and the lavish party that follows.
The move, thought to be at the insistence of 25-year-old Piper's family, has infuriated members of the theatrical Fox dynasty where the adults-only edict "went down like a lead balloon".
But Billie Piper's wedding to Gosford Park actor Laurence Fox has descended into acrimony over a decision to ban children from the event – and the lavish party that follows.
The move, thought to be at the insistence of 25-year-old Piper's family, has infuriated members of the theatrical Fox dynasty where the adults-only edict "went down like a lead balloon".
Laurence's uncle, stage and screen producer Robert Fox, is said to be especially upset after being told that his youngest children would not be welcome at the New Year's Eve event.
He has an 11-year-old son, Joe, and a nine-year-old daughter, Molly, with his wife Fiona Golfar, an editor at Vogue magazine, plus three children from a previous marriage.
He has an 11-year-old son, Joe, and a nine-year-old daughter, Molly, with his wife Fiona Golfar, an editor at Vogue magazine, plus three children from a previous marriage.
One friend told The Mail on Sunday: "Robert is very upset and has made his opinions known. The Fox family are very traditional and think that weddings should be all about having children around.
"The bride's parents have been largely responsible for planning the wedding
Unhappy snaps: Emilia Fox's wedding also caused anger when unauthorised photographs appeared in a celebrity magazine
"We have received certain instructions for the day, one of which is that babies and young children are not allowed at the service.
"The candlelit ceremony will be taking place in the afternoon, then we have been told to expect an all-night party. They obviously don't want screaming kids running around the church and wreaking havoc, but the whole thing has gone down like a lead balloon."
Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans, Miss Piper's first husband, is said to be helping organise the bash at Cowdray Park Estate in West Sussex – and has ordered enough alcohol to last 48 hours.
"Billie has said no expense is to be spared," said one guest. "She wants to make sure it is a party no one will ever forget. There are strict instructions that the booze must not dry up."
Further tensions have arisen over the former Doctor Who star's rumoured bid to sell pictures of the wedding to a celebrity magazine, in what would have proved a lucrative deal.
However, the father of 29-year-old Laurence, Passage To India star James Fox, was said to be strongly against the idea.
"Billie and Laurence looked into the possibility of having their wedding covered by a magazine, not to save money but to make sure the wedding would be as private as possible," the source said.
"They are getting married at a small church on the estate that is easily accessible to the public which was a big concern for Billie.
"She and Laurence discussed getting a magazine deal but it was sniffed at by the Fox family and immediately ruled out. Now they are having to use local police to ensure no one crashes the event."
The Fox family are said to despise celebrity weddings being "bought" by glossy magazines.
There is still bad feeling that photographs from the wedding of Laurence's cousin Emilia, who starred in Silent Witness, to Jared Harris, son of late hellraiser Richard Harris, were published in Hello! two years ago.
"The bride's parents have been largely responsible for planning the wedding
Unhappy snaps: Emilia Fox's wedding also caused anger when unauthorised photographs appeared in a celebrity magazine
"We have received certain instructions for the day, one of which is that babies and young children are not allowed at the service.
"The candlelit ceremony will be taking place in the afternoon, then we have been told to expect an all-night party. They obviously don't want screaming kids running around the church and wreaking havoc, but the whole thing has gone down like a lead balloon."
Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans, Miss Piper's first husband, is said to be helping organise the bash at Cowdray Park Estate in West Sussex – and has ordered enough alcohol to last 48 hours.
"Billie has said no expense is to be spared," said one guest. "She wants to make sure it is a party no one will ever forget. There are strict instructions that the booze must not dry up."
Further tensions have arisen over the former Doctor Who star's rumoured bid to sell pictures of the wedding to a celebrity magazine, in what would have proved a lucrative deal.
However, the father of 29-year-old Laurence, Passage To India star James Fox, was said to be strongly against the idea.
"Billie and Laurence looked into the possibility of having their wedding covered by a magazine, not to save money but to make sure the wedding would be as private as possible," the source said.
"They are getting married at a small church on the estate that is easily accessible to the public which was a big concern for Billie.
"She and Laurence discussed getting a magazine deal but it was sniffed at by the Fox family and immediately ruled out. Now they are having to use local police to ensure no one crashes the event."
The Fox family are said to despise celebrity weddings being "bought" by glossy magazines.
There is still bad feeling that photographs from the wedding of Laurence's cousin Emilia, who starred in Silent Witness, to Jared Harris, son of late hellraiser Richard Harris, were published in Hello! two years ago.
The family had repeatedly turned down a deal with the magazine, so were furious when photographs taken outside the church were splashed across four pages.
At the time, Emilia's father Edward, who played Edward VIII in Edward & Mrs Simpson and starred alongside wife Joanna David in the 1995 TV version of Pride And Prejudice, called the magazine "deeply vulgar".
Last night, spokesmen for Billie Piper and Laurence Fox were both unavailable for comment.
Last night, spokesmen for Billie Piper and Laurence Fox were both unavailable for comment.
'Dr Who' criticised by Titanic survivor
{I just wonder did this person bitch about the horrid Titanic movie With Leo dicrapio as much ?}
Doctor Who's forthcoming Christmas special has been criticised by the last remaining Titanic survivor.Millvina Dean, 95, has claimed that the show's producers have displayed insensitivity by featuring the Titanic in the festive episode.Voyage Of The Damned, which airs on Christmas Day, sees The Doctor battling a new enemy on board a luxury space cruiser called the Titanic. The space ship later ends up in flames when disaster strikes."The Titanic was a tragedy which tore so many families apart," Millvina is quoted by the Daily Record as saying. "I lost my father and he lies on that wreck. I think it is disrespectful to make entertainment of such a tragedy."However, a spokeswoman for the show insisted: "No offence was intended. Voyage Of The Damned is set on a space ship called The Titanic and not a boat."
Doctor Who's forthcoming Christmas special has been criticised by the last remaining Titanic survivor.Millvina Dean, 95, has claimed that the show's producers have displayed insensitivity by featuring the Titanic in the festive episode.Voyage Of The Damned, which airs on Christmas Day, sees The Doctor battling a new enemy on board a luxury space cruiser called the Titanic. The space ship later ends up in flames when disaster strikes."The Titanic was a tragedy which tore so many families apart," Millvina is quoted by the Daily Record as saying. "I lost my father and he lies on that wreck. I think it is disrespectful to make entertainment of such a tragedy."However, a spokeswoman for the show insisted: "No offence was intended. Voyage Of The Damned is set on a space ship called The Titanic and not a boat."
Back in time special on BBC radio
Doctor Who Back in Time: Christmas Special aired on BBC Radio Wales. It will be repeated Christmas Day at 1:35pm GMT or you can CLICK HERE to use the listen again feature at the BBC Radio Wales website (or HERE if that link doesn't work to navigate the BBC Radio Wales website).
Friday, December 21, 2007
Classic Cybermen On Demand
US digital on-demand network Illusion on Demand has announced that they will be adding classic Doctor Who stories to their offerings, beginning with the 1967 Patrick Troughton story Tomb of the Cybermen. Their press release is below.
Illusion on Demand is bringing classic Doctor Who back to American television in January '08 with the series "Tomb of the Cybermen". This marks the first national return of classic Doctor adventures since the popular new series has been airing.
In honor of the event Illusion is premiering their Doctor Who micro-site this morning. Features include video clips, a brand new parody by The Action Room, quizzes, a buying guide and an image gallery of Doctor companions.
www.illusiontv.com/classic-doctor-who.php
Illusion will continue in to the year with "Genesis of the Daleks" with more series to be announced.
Illusion on Demand is bringing classic Doctor Who back to American television in January '08 with the series "Tomb of the Cybermen". This marks the first national return of classic Doctor adventures since the popular new series has been airing.
In honor of the event Illusion is premiering their Doctor Who micro-site this morning. Features include video clips, a brand new parody by The Action Room, quizzes, a buying guide and an image gallery of Doctor companions.
www.illusiontv.com/classic-doctor-who.php
Illusion will continue in to the year with "Genesis of the Daleks" with more series to be announced.
Freema rings in the new year on Radio 1
Freema Agyeman will appear on BBC Radio 1 on New Year's Day as one of the presenters of "New for 2008", a Radio 1 special featuring "top tips for forthcoming new music, films, fashion, TV and technology." The program will air on January 1 from 7pm to midnight (GMT); Agyeman will be the host from 10pm to 11pm. The show also contains an interview with producer Phil Collinson.Worldwide fans can hear the program via the BBC's live Radio 1 stream or, for one week after broadcast, via the Listen Again service on the BBC's iPlayer.
'Sarah Jane' future uncertain, says Davies
A second season of The Sarah Jane Adventures has yet to be commissioned, according to the CBBC show's creator Russell T Davies."We hope it's coming back, we don't know for definite," he told Newsround. "We're preparing for it. We're writing scripts. Liz [Sladen] is very excited, we're raring to go. So hope and pray that it does return, because I love that show and I think it should run and run."Launched in the Autumn, the Doctor Who spin-off reaped record ratings for the CBBC channel with first-run episodes, as well as widespread critical acclaim. "I could not be more pleased by the success of The Sarah Jane Adventures," added Davies, "because frankly it's marvellous, isn't it?"
'Doctor Who' slammed by Christian groups. so what is new?
I knew it would eventually happen. Here is an report on christians in upheaval over the doctor being compared to christ. WTF said he was ever christ like?
Doctor Who has been criticised by Christian groups for insinuating that the Time Lord is a second Messiah.The special Christmas Day episode of the show, which features Kylie Minogue, was accused of subverting religious iconography.In 'Voyage of the Damned' The Doctor, played by David Tennant, saves a ship from a meteorite storm and persuades the passengers of his magical powers.Writer Russell T Davies defended the use of the imagery in the episode, saying: "The series lends itself to religious iconography because the Doctor is a proper saviour. He saves the world through the power of his mind and passion." But group Christian Voice insisted that the Doctor is nothing like a Messiah. Director of the organisation, Stephen Green, said: "The Doctor would have to do a lot more than the usual prancing around to be a messiah. He has to save people from their sins."
Doctor Who has been criticised by Christian groups for insinuating that the Time Lord is a second Messiah.The special Christmas Day episode of the show, which features Kylie Minogue, was accused of subverting religious iconography.In 'Voyage of the Damned' The Doctor, played by David Tennant, saves a ship from a meteorite storm and persuades the passengers of his magical powers.Writer Russell T Davies defended the use of the imagery in the episode, saying: "The series lends itself to religious iconography because the Doctor is a proper saviour. He saves the world through the power of his mind and passion." But group Christian Voice insisted that the Doctor is nothing like a Messiah. Director of the organisation, Stephen Green, said: "The Doctor would have to do a lot more than the usual prancing around to be a messiah. He has to save people from their sins."
David Tennant discusses Kylie kiss
David Tennant has joked about filming the widely reported kiss with Kylie Minogue for the upcoming Doctor Who Christmas special.
Addressing suggestions that he cheekily forgot his lines during the snogging scene in a bid to have more retakes of the kiss, the actor told the Daily Record: "I am very professional in all things - I just go and the director tells me to stop. There were a lot of things wrong that day - it was nothing to do with me."
Tennant then rhetorically quipped: "If you had Kylie on the show, would you have her kiss The Doctor?"
The time-travelling drama's producer Phil Collinson also shed more light on the on-screen relationship: "There's great chemistry... Kylie's character [Astrid] and The Doctor bond quickly in a slightly flirty way."
Addressing suggestions that he cheekily forgot his lines during the snogging scene in a bid to have more retakes of the kiss, the actor told the Daily Record: "I am very professional in all things - I just go and the director tells me to stop. There were a lot of things wrong that day - it was nothing to do with me."
Tennant then rhetorically quipped: "If you had Kylie on the show, would you have her kiss The Doctor?"
The time-travelling drama's producer Phil Collinson also shed more light on the on-screen relationship: "There's great chemistry... Kylie's character [Astrid] and The Doctor bond quickly in a slightly flirty way."
Thursday, December 20, 2007
The Tomorrow People - Licence Not Renewed
Regular listeners of Big Finish's range of Tomorrow People audio dramas will be aware that the sixth season of plays, due to begin release from September 2007, has been previously announced as delayed.
We can now reveal that this was due to ongoing license negotiations. Unfortunately, Big Finish were unable to reach an agreement with FremantleMedia Enterprises, who control the rights to The Tomorrow People. Subsequently, our licence to produce The Tomorrow People on audio could not be renewed and the sixth season has had to be cancelled.
In a statement FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) have said:
"FremantleMedia Licensing would like to thank Big Finish for all they have done in the past and hope that in the future we will be able to work together again."
Naturally this is disappointing news for all concerned. If you have already pre-ordered or subscribed to the season six titles, you will be contacted shortly about a refund.
Big Finish would like to thank its customers for their patience. We apologise for the initial lack of explanation and regret that we were not successful in negotiating a happier conclusion.
The first five seasons of the The Tomorrow People audio dramas are currently available at a discount rate as part of the Big Finish Christmas Sale. However, all Tomorrow People audio titles will be permanently removed from sale on 7th January 2008. (18/12/07)
We can now reveal that this was due to ongoing license negotiations. Unfortunately, Big Finish were unable to reach an agreement with FremantleMedia Enterprises, who control the rights to The Tomorrow People. Subsequently, our licence to produce The Tomorrow People on audio could not be renewed and the sixth season has had to be cancelled.
In a statement FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) have said:
"FremantleMedia Licensing would like to thank Big Finish for all they have done in the past and hope that in the future we will be able to work together again."
Naturally this is disappointing news for all concerned. If you have already pre-ordered or subscribed to the season six titles, you will be contacted shortly about a refund.
Big Finish would like to thank its customers for their patience. We apologise for the initial lack of explanation and regret that we were not successful in negotiating a happier conclusion.
The first five seasons of the The Tomorrow People audio dramas are currently available at a discount rate as part of the Big Finish Christmas Sale. However, all Tomorrow People audio titles will be permanently removed from sale on 7th January 2008. (18/12/07)
INTERVIEW: Phil Collinson on season four of Doctor Who
You’ve got the Sontarans coming back. They’re kind of a second-tier Doctor Who. You’ve got the Daleks and the Cybermen and the Master at the top and they’re a bit lower down...
“You’re talking like a fan now! I mean, we’d never approach bringing anything back from the classic series in that way. I think they’re a brilliant design, a brilliant monster. Obviously what we always do is stand back and go, ‘Well, what would you bring back that was brilliant? I don’t think we ever think, ‘Oh, they were second tier, they were only in six episodes, they only appeared with five doctors not all ten. We brought the Macra back, for god’s sake! We did that because Russell felt they fitted in with that script and that story, and how brilliant to nod to the main series at the same time.
“With the Sontarans I think they’re brilliant and memorable and kids will love them and take to them all over again. They’re a wonderful design, a wonderful idea and a brilliant very original race of monsters and that’s why we wanted to use them. They were a big monster for me when I was a kid; I remember them so well, particularly around that 1974 time when they appeared in two stories, one series after another.”
What’s your take on them? Because you can see them in different ways. Are they scary or are they slightly absurd? Because there was a little bit of both about the Sontarans cos of their single-mindedness.
“It depends what your take is. I've obviously watched the two early stories that they did and they were monstrous monsters. I remember them being terrifying as a kid. I really clearly remember them and that’s how I always remember them - they look like trolls or whatever, they're horrible looking things. Obviously we’d be idiots to bring a monster back that we’re then gonna ridicule and make stupid. We have a show with monsters in because the monsters are threatening and the Sontarans are among the most threatening, particularly because they’ve met the Doctor before and they know him...”
Looking closely at the publicity photos of Martha and the Sontaran, Martha seems to have a gold band on her ring finger. Can we take it she’s got married?
“You spotted that, then? Ah, you’ll have to wait and see (laughs). You might very well think that...”
The block you’re filming at the moment... Martha’s back in that, isn’t she?
“Yeah, we’re currently filming the two Sontaran episodes and she’s in that one. I don’t want to go into numbers of episodes and things like that, but she pops in and out at various points across the series. She’s a real presence in the series.”
The reaction to the return of Donna has been pretty mixed – not just from fans, but from non-fans too. Given that the character was quite annoying at first - and written that way - do you understand some people’s anxiety?
“Erm, no. I loved her as a character and I know Russell did, and he’s obviously the person who created that character. I think the Donna you saw at the beginning of the episode and the Donna you saw at the end of that episode [‘The Runaway Bride’] were very different and she had very clearly learnt a lot from her adventures."
I guess it’s the case that sometimes the first impression is the most lasting, because we did see a different side of her later on.
“She is the sum total of all the parts that we saw in that Christmas special. Catherine Tate is an astonishing actress; she never ceases to surprise us every day with what she does. She’s incredibly committed to this show and to the part, and very protective of that character. I think people can be very quick to tell us how we ought to make this show - their passion for the show often spills over - and I think we know what were doing. I think we’ve got a brilliant versatile actress to complement a fantastic versatile actor. As a double act I think it’s very different to anything you’ve seen before and I would urge people just to reserve their judgement and wait and see, really, because I think she’s wonderful. And we should be so lucky as to have one of the most popular actors and comedians on TV... she truly, truly across the generations has a popularity second to none and we’re able to distil that in our series, and I think that’s wonderful. I’d ask people to just wait and see the new series and keep an open mind and I don’t think they’ll be disappointed. I think she’s wonderful.”
I must admit, I wasn’t sure about it.
“Obviously everybody’s entitled to their opinion, but it’s interesting because it’s based on not a lot really, because they haven’t seen it. If people want to watch it and in six months’ time tell us we made a huge mistake then they’re very welcome to that opinion, but it’s rather an odd thing to do before you’ve seen the end product. It’s like criticising a film before you’ve paid your money and gone to see it, in a way. It’s the oddest thing and not really something that I take seriously at this stage - I don’t think any of us would.
“I think we’re making a brilliant series four, it’s very different whilst being the same show as well, and I think there are an awful lot of people who’ll be really glad to see her back. And they’re really gonna enjoy the adventure that they go on with her, as much as they did the adventure that they went on with Freema and Billie. It’s the great delight of the format of the show that you can come into contact with all these different people who all offer you something different.”
“You’re talking like a fan now! I mean, we’d never approach bringing anything back from the classic series in that way. I think they’re a brilliant design, a brilliant monster. Obviously what we always do is stand back and go, ‘Well, what would you bring back that was brilliant? I don’t think we ever think, ‘Oh, they were second tier, they were only in six episodes, they only appeared with five doctors not all ten. We brought the Macra back, for god’s sake! We did that because Russell felt they fitted in with that script and that story, and how brilliant to nod to the main series at the same time.
“With the Sontarans I think they’re brilliant and memorable and kids will love them and take to them all over again. They’re a wonderful design, a wonderful idea and a brilliant very original race of monsters and that’s why we wanted to use them. They were a big monster for me when I was a kid; I remember them so well, particularly around that 1974 time when they appeared in two stories, one series after another.”
What’s your take on them? Because you can see them in different ways. Are they scary or are they slightly absurd? Because there was a little bit of both about the Sontarans cos of their single-mindedness.
“It depends what your take is. I've obviously watched the two early stories that they did and they were monstrous monsters. I remember them being terrifying as a kid. I really clearly remember them and that’s how I always remember them - they look like trolls or whatever, they're horrible looking things. Obviously we’d be idiots to bring a monster back that we’re then gonna ridicule and make stupid. We have a show with monsters in because the monsters are threatening and the Sontarans are among the most threatening, particularly because they’ve met the Doctor before and they know him...”
Looking closely at the publicity photos of Martha and the Sontaran, Martha seems to have a gold band on her ring finger. Can we take it she’s got married?
“You spotted that, then? Ah, you’ll have to wait and see (laughs). You might very well think that...”
The block you’re filming at the moment... Martha’s back in that, isn’t she?
“Yeah, we’re currently filming the two Sontaran episodes and she’s in that one. I don’t want to go into numbers of episodes and things like that, but she pops in and out at various points across the series. She’s a real presence in the series.”
The reaction to the return of Donna has been pretty mixed – not just from fans, but from non-fans too. Given that the character was quite annoying at first - and written that way - do you understand some people’s anxiety?
“Erm, no. I loved her as a character and I know Russell did, and he’s obviously the person who created that character. I think the Donna you saw at the beginning of the episode and the Donna you saw at the end of that episode [‘The Runaway Bride’] were very different and she had very clearly learnt a lot from her adventures."
I guess it’s the case that sometimes the first impression is the most lasting, because we did see a different side of her later on.
“She is the sum total of all the parts that we saw in that Christmas special. Catherine Tate is an astonishing actress; she never ceases to surprise us every day with what she does. She’s incredibly committed to this show and to the part, and very protective of that character. I think people can be very quick to tell us how we ought to make this show - their passion for the show often spills over - and I think we know what were doing. I think we’ve got a brilliant versatile actress to complement a fantastic versatile actor. As a double act I think it’s very different to anything you’ve seen before and I would urge people just to reserve their judgement and wait and see, really, because I think she’s wonderful. And we should be so lucky as to have one of the most popular actors and comedians on TV... she truly, truly across the generations has a popularity second to none and we’re able to distil that in our series, and I think that’s wonderful. I’d ask people to just wait and see the new series and keep an open mind and I don’t think they’ll be disappointed. I think she’s wonderful.”
I must admit, I wasn’t sure about it.
“Obviously everybody’s entitled to their opinion, but it’s interesting because it’s based on not a lot really, because they haven’t seen it. If people want to watch it and in six months’ time tell us we made a huge mistake then they’re very welcome to that opinion, but it’s rather an odd thing to do before you’ve seen the end product. It’s like criticising a film before you’ve paid your money and gone to see it, in a way. It’s the oddest thing and not really something that I take seriously at this stage - I don’t think any of us would.
“I think we’re making a brilliant series four, it’s very different whilst being the same show as well, and I think there are an awful lot of people who’ll be really glad to see her back. And they’re really gonna enjoy the adventure that they go on with her, as much as they did the adventure that they went on with Freema and Billie. It’s the great delight of the format of the show that you can come into contact with all these different people who all offer you something different.”
Torchwood: BBCi site updated and S2 Full Trailer
The BBCi Torchwood site has been updated.
The new-look site now includes some unseen promo images from Series Two, as well as trailers, wallpapers, behind the scenes videos and more.
Check Out the BBCi Torchwood website.
BBC America have aired a full trailer for Series 2 of Torchwood.
The trailer, which launches on the channel on January 26th, features an action-packed collection of scenes from the second series, including appearances from Freema Agyeman and James Marsters.
View the Trailer over at Freema Agyeman.com.
Series 2 of Torchwood, airs January 2008, on BBC Two.
The new-look site now includes some unseen promo images from Series Two, as well as trailers, wallpapers, behind the scenes videos and more.
Check Out the BBCi Torchwood website.
BBC America have aired a full trailer for Series 2 of Torchwood.
The trailer, which launches on the channel on January 26th, features an action-packed collection of scenes from the second series, including appearances from Freema Agyeman and James Marsters.
View the Trailer over at Freema Agyeman.com.
Series 2 of Torchwood, airs January 2008, on BBC Two.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
IFANS TIPPED FOR DOCTOR WHO ROLE?
SIENNA MILLER's new boyfriend RHYS IFANS is tipped to replace actor DAVID TENNANT in hit British sci-fi series DOCTOR WHO. The Notting Hill star is considered "one of the front runners" to succeed the famous Timelord role after Tennant steps down in 2009. A source tells British newspaper the Daily Express, "It's felt that Rhys would bring very different dimensions to the role maverick, slightly menacing Doctor, perhaps more in the Tom Baker mould."
The Doctor and Astrid get up close and personal
The Doctor will share a passionate moment with his Christmas companion, Astrid Peth, in the long awaited Doctor Who Christmas special, Voyage of the Damned.
The Doctor wastes no time in getting acquainted with Kylie Minogue's Astrid in the episode, which goes out at 6.50pm on Christmas Day on BBC One.
"It is an incredible thrill to be joining David and the entire Doctor Who production for this year's Christmas special," said Kylie. "Doctor Who enjoys a unique history and it is going to be very exciting to be a part of that."
Voyage of the Damned launched last night (Tuesday 18 December) with a celebrity packed gala premiere at the Science Museum in London. Celebrity fans in attendance included Jo Whiley, John Simm, Tamsin Greig, Nick Cave and Richard Curtis.
Two of Britain's best loved actors, Geoffrey Palmer and Clive Swift will also play lead roles in the special.
The Doctor wastes no time in getting acquainted with Kylie Minogue's Astrid in the episode, which goes out at 6.50pm on Christmas Day on BBC One.
"It is an incredible thrill to be joining David and the entire Doctor Who production for this year's Christmas special," said Kylie. "Doctor Who enjoys a unique history and it is going to be very exciting to be a part of that."
Voyage of the Damned launched last night (Tuesday 18 December) with a celebrity packed gala premiere at the Science Museum in London. Celebrity fans in attendance included Jo Whiley, John Simm, Tamsin Greig, Nick Cave and Richard Curtis.
Two of Britain's best loved actors, Geoffrey Palmer and Clive Swift will also play lead roles in the special.
Tennant dismisses departure rumors
At the premiere of "Voyage of the Damned" Tuesday evening, David Tennant dismissed speculation about how long he plans to stay on Doctor Who. Speaking about the Christmas 2008 special and three specials in 2009, he said, "I'm doing four more specials and beyond that no one's asked me to make any decisions and I'm quite happy to be enigmatic for as long as possible." Talk of Tennant's departure plans began Saturday when Catherine Tate, speaking on Jonathan Ross's radio show, said that she thought that 2008 might be Tennant's last full series in the role of the Doctor."Catherine Tate stitched me up good and proper," said Tennant. "She goes on Jonathan Ross and makes up a load of old nonsense. Unbeknownst to me, she thinks I've made a decision - she'd clearly had too much coffee that morning. She said I was leaving, which was a decision I haven't made yet, maybe she's made it for me, but I'm going to keep people guessing for as long as possible."Tennant continued, "I started getting all these phone calls on Saturday lunchtime saying apparently you're leaving Doctor Who. Catherine Tate's just announced it on Radio 2 - thanks Catherine! I said to her on Monday morning did you know you've caused a minor diplomatic incident? She was completely oblivious that the phone had been ringing off the hook."Tennant's comments, as well as some spoilerish details about "Voyage of the Damned", can be found at BBC News and The Blackpool Gazette. More details from the "Voyage of the Damned" press launch can be found at The Daily Telegraph, The Sun, The Sunderland Echo and The Daily Star.Meanwhile, the Daily Mail, Now Magazine and The West Australian are running with the Sun's story about Jennifer Saunders appearing as the Doctor in one episode.UPDATED Wednesday 19 Dec: The late night Richard Bacon talk show on BBC Radio 5 Live has a report from the "Voyage of the Damned" preview. It includes an interview with Tennant in which he light-heartedly discusses Tate's comments about his future on Doctor Who: "It's a decision I've not been forced to make, so I'm just going to play my cards close to my chest as long as I can. Despite what Catherine might have you believe, I haven't made any decision about the next series yet."To listen to the interview, go to this page and click on "Tuesday". The Doctor Who discussion begins approximately 1 hour 38 minutes into the program, and contains some spoilers for "Voyage of the Damned". There is also a video piece on the premiere from BBC News available here, which includes clips from "Voyage of the Damned" and interview segments with Tennant. Speaking of his future on the programme, he says "It's a decision I haven't made yet... it's not a decision I've been asked to make yet, so I'm going to keep 'em guessing for as long as possible."
Sunday, December 16, 2007
'Doctor Who' role for Davison daughter
Peter Davison's daughter Georgia Moffett will play a key role in the upcoming fourth season of Doctor Who.The show's producer Phil Collinson told Doctor Who Magazine about the decision to cast Moffett, whose father played the popular Time Lord in the classic series: "Fans might recognise that name... but that's not why we cast her. She's a very fine actor - in fact, she's been lined up for a very long time, since we auditioned Georgia for the Agatha Christie episode."But as soon as we saw her, we realised there was a much bigger and better part later on in the series... so Georgia kindly waited until the time was right. It's a role now one will ever forget!"Davison recently returned to the role of the Fifth Doctor in the recent Children In Need mini-episode 'Time Crash', briefly sharing the Tardis with David Tennant's current incarnation of the Gallifreyan.
Kylie treats 'Doctor Who' co-stars
Kylie Minogue treated her Doctor Who co-stars at a farewell party in Cardiff.The pop singer said goodbye to the cast and crew of this year's Christmas special in style during a party at the St David's Hotel. Realising that the guests were not enjoying an upstairs function room, she led them into a hotel bar and offered to put everyone's drinks on her own tab."It was like Maria leading the children across the mountains in The Sound Of Music," an insider told the Daily Star Sunday. "She paid for everyone's drinks, and people were still drinking at 5am."A source said: "I think everyone who worked on the episode - the gay men included - fell in love with Kylie within seconds of meeting her."Minogue plays a waitress on the Titanic in the special festive edition, which airs on Christmas Day.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Dr Who snubs Blackpool Illuminations
A FORMER Doctor Who has delivered a festive snub to Blackpool's Illuminations while switching on Christmas lights in Norfolk.
Colin Baker, the sixth incarnation of the Time Lord, told a crowd at resort Cromer that Blackpool's lights were "not a patch" on their churchyard's Christmas lights.The ex-star's dismissal of Blackpool's iconic Illuminations was met with cheers in the small coastal town best known for its crabs.Baker visited Blackpool in August when he made a personal appearance at the Who shop, on Victoria Street. He returned in November during the last weekend of the Illuminations to take part in the Monster Memorabilia Collectors show at Norbreck Castle.Dave Simon, manager of the Who store, was quick to leap to the
defence of his hero who defended the world from the Daleks and Cybermen between 1984 and 1986. He said: "I know Colin personally and he is a big fan of Blackpool just as the people of Blackpool are big fans of his."This comment would have been meant very tongue in cheek, I'm sure he was just playing to the crowd. When Colin visited in August, more than 4,000 people turned out to see him, it was just before the Lights were switched on so Who mania was running high here."After he was at the store he spent the day in the town with his family, they went up the Tower and did the Blackpool tourist thing. I know he is fond of the town and would not have meant any offence."Tourism chief Coun Maxine Callow said, "I'm sure Cromer's lights are very nice but perhaps the previous Dr Who should have a chat with the current one – David Tennant – who switched on the Illuminations last year."
Colin Baker, the sixth incarnation of the Time Lord, told a crowd at resort Cromer that Blackpool's lights were "not a patch" on their churchyard's Christmas lights.The ex-star's dismissal of Blackpool's iconic Illuminations was met with cheers in the small coastal town best known for its crabs.Baker visited Blackpool in August when he made a personal appearance at the Who shop, on Victoria Street. He returned in November during the last weekend of the Illuminations to take part in the Monster Memorabilia Collectors show at Norbreck Castle.Dave Simon, manager of the Who store, was quick to leap to the
defence of his hero who defended the world from the Daleks and Cybermen between 1984 and 1986. He said: "I know Colin personally and he is a big fan of Blackpool just as the people of Blackpool are big fans of his."This comment would have been meant very tongue in cheek, I'm sure he was just playing to the crowd. When Colin visited in August, more than 4,000 people turned out to see him, it was just before the Lights were switched on so Who mania was running high here."After he was at the store he spent the day in the town with his family, they went up the Tower and did the Blackpool tourist thing. I know he is fond of the town and would not have meant any offence."Tourism chief Coun Maxine Callow said, "I'm sure Cromer's lights are very nice but perhaps the previous Dr Who should have a chat with the current one – David Tennant – who switched on the Illuminations last year."
UNIT Back In Force For Series 4 - With Martha?
now Martha’s badge is looking very UNIT!
http://freemaagyeman.com/news/2007/12/14/martha-unit-doctor-who-series-four/
http://freemaagyeman.com/news/2007/12/14/martha-unit-doctor-who-series-four/
S4: More Episode titles revealed repost
The latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine (#390) confirms some more Series 4 Episode titles.
4.1: Partners in Crime
4.4: The Sontaran Stratagem
The only other confirmed episode title so far is 4.2: Planet of the Ood.
There is a 'hidden' title within this month's issue - below is the list of possibilities:
Synthesis
Perfect Union
Code Red
This is War
The Year that Never Was
Streets of London
Pole Position
Mysterious Creature
Beware the Black Mink
4.1: Partners in Crime
4.4: The Sontaran Stratagem
The only other confirmed episode title so far is 4.2: Planet of the Ood.
There is a 'hidden' title within this month's issue - below is the list of possibilities:
Synthesis
Perfect Union
Code Red
This is War
The Year that Never Was
Streets of London
Pole Position
Mysterious Creature
Beware the Black Mink
S4: Rock Monsters in Pompeii?
RTD talks about the monster menace in the Pompeii episode from Series 4 of Doctor Who.
Speaking exclusively to 'New Statesman ', New Series Executive Producer; Russel T. Davies, discusses the TV industry's confidence crisis, as well as his job on Doctor Who. In the interview, Russell says the following about a possible monster in the Pompeii episode:
"Doctor Who is terrifying because it's so visible. We have eight million viewers. We can't get away with making a bad episode. But it's also the best job in the world. I control the mothership. I say: 'I want Pompeii, with rock monsters!' How great is that?"
Series Four of Doctor Who airs Spring 2008.
Speaking exclusively to 'New Statesman ', New Series Executive Producer; Russel T. Davies, discusses the TV industry's confidence crisis, as well as his job on Doctor Who. In the interview, Russell says the following about a possible monster in the Pompeii episode:
"Doctor Who is terrifying because it's so visible. We have eight million viewers. We can't get away with making a bad episode. But it's also the best job in the world. I control the mothership. I say: 'I want Pompeii, with rock monsters!' How great is that?"
Series Four of Doctor Who airs Spring 2008.
US clearance rights defeat Davros
A report on tvshowsondvd.com has confirmed that the North American release of Remembrance of the Daleks and the Complete Davros Collection has been cancelled due to clearance difficulties.A statement obtained from BBC Video states "We had hoped to be able to release The Complete Davros Collection and Remembrance of the Daleks Special Edition in the U.S. market. Unfortunately, clearance issues that arose after the announce to the trade prevent us from doing so"
Tate Comments About Tennant's Future
In an article on BBC News published this morning, Catherine Tate says that the upcoming fourth Doctor Who series will be her last, and that it "could be the last for actor David Tennant" according to comments she made this morning on the Radio 2 Jonathan Ross programme. "I think it's maybe David's last series." The article notes that the BBC refuses to comment on Mr Tennant's future as the show's star. When pressed on whether Tennant would return to play the timelord in special Dr Who shows in future, Tate replied: "Possibly." To listen to Tate's interview on the Jonathan Ross show, follow this link and click on "Listen again". The Catherine Tate segment begins approximately 2 hours 37 minutes into the program.The BBC News article also quotes Kylie Minogue in Doctor Who Magazine as saying her appearance in the forthcoming Christmas special is "like stepping back in time. I really felt at home being back in the world of TV. I've definitely got the acting bug again!"
Behind the scenes of the Doctor Who Christmas Special, starring Kylie
Read the lengthy article Here.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Richard Briers to do Torchwood
Has 2007 been good to you?
"Yes, it really has. I have got an episode of Torchwood coming out in the New Year and I spent a couple of days filming a small part in Stephen Fry's new programme, Kingdom. And of course there's the Holby City Christmas special on Boxing Day, which is based on that marvellous old film, It's a Wonderful Life. They've stolen the plot - but instead of James Stewart, it's a doctor at the hosptial who is going to commit suicide. Until a dear old chap appears behind him and takes him off to show him why his life is still worth living."
And let me guess, you're the dear old chap...
"That's right. Though who he is exactly you will have to wait and see!"
Read the whole article here.
"Yes, it really has. I have got an episode of Torchwood coming out in the New Year and I spent a couple of days filming a small part in Stephen Fry's new programme, Kingdom. And of course there's the Holby City Christmas special on Boxing Day, which is based on that marvellous old film, It's a Wonderful Life. They've stolen the plot - but instead of James Stewart, it's a doctor at the hosptial who is going to commit suicide. Until a dear old chap appears behind him and takes him off to show him why his life is still worth living."
And let me guess, you're the dear old chap...
"That's right. Though who he is exactly you will have to wait and see!"
Read the whole article here.
Torchwood – Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang Ep 1/13
The second series of Torchwood, the award-winning drama created by Doctor Who writer Russell T Davies, premières on BBC Two. This time it's bigger and bolder, with more fun, adventure and excitement for the alien-fighting team.
John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness, Eve Myles as Gwen, Burn Gorman as Owen, Naoko Mori as Toshiko and Gareth David-Lloyd as Ianto return as the investigators delving into the alien underworld of modern-day Cardiff.
In the first episode of the series, Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, by co-producer and lead writer Chris Chibnall, Captain Jack is reunited with the Torchwood team as they face a rogue Time Agent. The mysterious Captain John Hart, played by James Marsters (Buffy The Vampire Slayer), is determined to wreak havoc, and needs to find something hidden on Earth. But with Gwen's life in danger, and cluster bombs scattered across the city, whose side is Jack on?
During the 13-part series, Torchwood's investigations into alien activity give the team glimpses of the 51st century and the First World War. In future episodes they encounter alien sleeper cells; save a stranded creature from human exploitation; meet a tragic soldier from the First World War; and encounter a memory thief who exposes long-forgotten secrets among the entire team.
Later in the run, Alan Dale (Ugly Betty, The O.C.) makes a star appearance. Another familiar face among the special guest stars is Doctor Who's companion Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman), who appears half way through the series. Richard Briers, Nerys Hughes and Ruth Jones (Gavin And Stacey) also appear in various roles.
There is a specially edited pre-watershed repeat of Torchwood on BBC Two later in the week.
Following on from that, Torchwood Declassified goes exclusively backstage to reveal the secrets behind some of the first episode's sensational stunt sequences and talks to John Barrowman, James Marsters and Russell T Davies.
John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness, Eve Myles as Gwen, Burn Gorman as Owen, Naoko Mori as Toshiko and Gareth David-Lloyd as Ianto return as the investigators delving into the alien underworld of modern-day Cardiff.
In the first episode of the series, Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, by co-producer and lead writer Chris Chibnall, Captain Jack is reunited with the Torchwood team as they face a rogue Time Agent. The mysterious Captain John Hart, played by James Marsters (Buffy The Vampire Slayer), is determined to wreak havoc, and needs to find something hidden on Earth. But with Gwen's life in danger, and cluster bombs scattered across the city, whose side is Jack on?
During the 13-part series, Torchwood's investigations into alien activity give the team glimpses of the 51st century and the First World War. In future episodes they encounter alien sleeper cells; save a stranded creature from human exploitation; meet a tragic soldier from the First World War; and encounter a memory thief who exposes long-forgotten secrets among the entire team.
Later in the run, Alan Dale (Ugly Betty, The O.C.) makes a star appearance. Another familiar face among the special guest stars is Doctor Who's companion Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman), who appears half way through the series. Richard Briers, Nerys Hughes and Ruth Jones (Gavin And Stacey) also appear in various roles.
There is a specially edited pre-watershed repeat of Torchwood on BBC Two later in the week.
Following on from that, Torchwood Declassified goes exclusively backstage to reveal the secrets behind some of the first episode's sensational stunt sequences and talks to John Barrowman, James Marsters and Russell T Davies.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
S4: More Episode titles revealed
The latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine (#390) cofirms some more Series 4 Episode titles.
4.1: Partners in Crime
4.4: The Sontaran Stratagem
The only other confirmed episode title so far is 4.2: Planet of the Ood.
There is a 'hidden' title within this month's issue which many believe to be either:
The Year that Never Was
or
Mysterious Creature
4.1: Partners in Crime
4.4: The Sontaran Stratagem
The only other confirmed episode title so far is 4.2: Planet of the Ood.
There is a 'hidden' title within this month's issue which many believe to be either:
The Year that Never Was
or
Mysterious Creature
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Kylie 'petrified' at 'Doctor Who' read-through
Kylie Minogue has admitted that she was initially full of fear when she started work on the Doctor Who Christmas Special.
Speaking to the Radio Times, the diminutive diva revealed: "At the read-through I tried to look cool, but was petrified."
However Minogue, who plays Titanic waitress Astrid in 'Voyage of the Damned', soon warmed to her role. "Doctor Who goes back to my roots as an actress... on my first day of filming I realised I was in my spiritual home."
The Australian singer also discovered a connection with her character: "I've a lot of affection for Astrid - she's a dreamer, alone, and wants to travel. Perhaps that's like me when I was younger, but I had opportunities."
'Voyage of the Damned' will be screened on BBC One on Christmas Day at 6.50pm
Speaking to the Radio Times, the diminutive diva revealed: "At the read-through I tried to look cool, but was petrified."
However Minogue, who plays Titanic waitress Astrid in 'Voyage of the Damned', soon warmed to her role. "Doctor Who goes back to my roots as an actress... on my first day of filming I realised I was in my spiritual home."
The Australian singer also discovered a connection with her character: "I've a lot of affection for Astrid - she's a dreamer, alone, and wants to travel. Perhaps that's like me when I was younger, but I had opportunities."
'Voyage of the Damned' will be screened on BBC One on Christmas Day at 6.50pm
New Martha Jones Model From Airfix
Airfix (Britain’s oldest scale model kit company) is about to release a Doctor Who giftset just in time for Christmas which includes a fantastic new model of Martha Jones complete with The Doctor and TARDIS!
Depending on your kit painting skills, this has the potential to appear very realistic because it is built to scale, as demonstrated in these photos (taken by “Donlock”). In this version Martha Jones stands nearly 16cm (6.3″) tall!
The 24cm (9.4″) TARDIS has a chip to give it light and sound effects.
The kit can be preordered at Wonderland Models or Hannants for £24.99 (EU) or £21.27 (export).
pics here:
http://freemaagyeman.com/news/2007/11/15/martha-jones-model-airfix/
Depending on your kit painting skills, this has the potential to appear very realistic because it is built to scale, as demonstrated in these photos (taken by “Donlock”). In this version Martha Jones stands nearly 16cm (6.3″) tall!
The 24cm (9.4″) TARDIS has a chip to give it light and sound effects.
The kit can be preordered at Wonderland Models or Hannants for £24.99 (EU) or £21.27 (export).
pics here:
http://freemaagyeman.com/news/2007/11/15/martha-jones-model-airfix/
Church and Barrowman to host talent show
Singer CHARLOTTE CHURCH has signed on to present British composer ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER's new TV talent contest. The 21-year-old - whose singing abilities were discovered on U.K. reality programme Big, Big Talent Show in 1998 - will co-host the nationwide search for a choir with Doctor Who star John Barrowman. A source tells Britain's Sunday Mirror, "Charlotte has always been proud that she launched her career on a talent show. She's keen to help discover a new generation of stars."
Marsters was terrified?
Actor JAMES MARSTERS was so terrified after kissing a male co-star for BBC TV series TORCHWOOD he fled into the arms of his girlfriend straight after filming the scene. The former Buffy The Vampire Slayer star shared an on-screen smooch with openly gay actor John Barrowman for the hit show, but Barrowman claims Marsters wasn't entirely comfortable with their man-on-man action. He says, "After the scene he snogged (kissed) his girlfriend to re-establish his masculinity."
Doctor Who - in EastEnders
Yesterday fans saw the Tardis, a Dalek and K9 being filmed in London at the famous Doctor Who location of St Paul's Cathedral. But it wasn't for everybody's favourite time-travelling drama: it was for a scene in a forthcoming episode of EastEnders. Walford's unlucky Bradley (Charlie Clements) is a Who fan and in the episode he and his wife Stacey (Lacey Turner) visit an exhibition called Doctor Who - the Time Lord Revisited at the cathedral. The exhibit features the Tardis, which along with the Dalek was made by a company that works on the real Doctor Who and Torchwood shows, and a life-size replica of K9 that belongs to a fan. The BBC is not commenting on the storyline or when we will see it air. EastEnders and Doctor Who go back a long way: recently Barbara Windsor filmed a vignette as Peggy for a scene in The Army of Ghosts story. And in 1993 there was a Doctor Who special for Children in Need set in Albert Square itself. It was unimaginably awful, but actually you don't need to imagine: you can see that two-part disaster now on YouTube: part 1 and part 2.
Piper to celebrate wedding at ex's pub
Billie Piper is to celebrate her wedding to Laurence Fox in her ex-husband's pub.The Doctor Who actress is planning to marry her fiancé on New Year's Eve at their local church - St. Mary's in Midhurst, West Sussex.She then wants to hold the reception at the nearby Lickfold Inn, which is owned by her former husband Chris Evans.A source said: "Some people might see this as a publicity stunt, but Billie genuinely wants to celebrate her special day with Chris there. "She knows Chris will make sure her and Laurence are waited on hand and foot and have the best possible wedding reception they can have - that's why she chose to have it there."Piper divorced Evans in May this year after five years of marriage. Evans has since married partner Natasha Shishmanian, while Piper met Fox earlier this year when they appeared in London play Treats together.When Evans and Piper split up they vowed to remain "best friends for life".
Plenty to look forward to in Torchwood season two
Filming of season two of the sci-fi show, Torchwood, began wrapping up in late November. It will be screened from mid-January on BBC2 in the UK and begin showing from 26 January 2008 on BBC America in the US. Despite its relative popularity in Australia, Channel Ten hasn’t yet announced whether it intends to acquire season two.Jack, Gwen, Ianto, Owen, and Tosh are all back for more adventures above the Cardiff rift. Some of the highlights include new monsters, a wedding, more of Jack and Ianto, and Rhys finding out exactly what Gwen actually does for a living. Reviews of the preview screening of the first episode (Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang) indicate that the writers have injected more humour into season two. As an acknowledgement to the many spoofs of Torchwood that ran online, it seems Torchwood itself has decided to join in the fun. Another welcome change is that the writers have decided to give the characters a break and allow them all to be likable. We’re in for a season of friendship and inclusion. Joining the Torchwood team this season are some intriguing new, and old, friends. Captain John Hart - James MarstersCaptain John is another one of those pesky time agents from the 51st century, and, true to form, he’s here to throw a spanner in the works when he comes to visit his old friend Jack. James Marsters is best known for his role as Spike in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. Dr Martha Jones - Freema AgyemanYes, Martha has passed her medical exams and is now a doctor herself. She stops by the hub for a while when Jack asks for her help. Alan DaleAdopted Aussie, New Zealand-born Alan Dale is confirmed by the BBC as appearing in one episode, although the actual credit doesn’t yet appear anywhere online. Alan Dale played Ramsey Street patriarch Jim Robinson in Neighbours for nine years, but is probably better known in the US for his roles in Ugly Betty (Bradford Meade); 24 (Vice President Jim Prescott), The OC (Caleb Nichol); and Star Trek : Nemesis (Praetor Hiren). Expanding audienceOne particularly interesting decision has been to create an edited version of Torchwood for pre-watershed screening. Russell Davies has confirmed, though, that the same-gender relationship themes will not be cut, and that includes the now-famous kisses. For dialogue lines with strong language, a second version was shot at the same time, while the sex scenes and presumably some of the more violent scenes were simply cut away sooner than in the adult version. The edited/family version will be screened as a repeat.
Would Pullman write for Dr Who?
Newsround asked if he would consider writing an episode of the sci fi show. And he said that writing a story for The Doctor "sounds like enormous fun".
He said: "This recent Doctor Who, since Russell T Davies came back and started having a hand in it, has been wonderful.
"I've really enjoyed it. David Tennant is terrific. Billie Piper was wonderful as Rose," he added.
Click here to watch our interview with Philip Pullman
Pullman also talked about the end of series two of Doctor Who - when Billie was left in a parallel world - and how similar some people say it is to his own Dark Materials series.
"I was flattered by it," Pullman said.
"That's how stories work. Stories are made out of other stories. I borrowed things for His Dark Materials. He [Russell T Davies] took my ending and twisted it to fit his story. That's fine."
Rowling for Doctor Who too?
Since Dr Who returned many fans have hoped that their favourite children's authors might write a story.
When Russell T Davies was planning the first series he asked Harry Potter creator JK Rowling if she would write an episode.
But the author, who was working on the sixth Potter book at the time, said no.
More recently Stormbreaker writer Antony Horowitz has said that he had approached the BBC and asked if he could write an episode.
He said: "This recent Doctor Who, since Russell T Davies came back and started having a hand in it, has been wonderful.
"I've really enjoyed it. David Tennant is terrific. Billie Piper was wonderful as Rose," he added.
Click here to watch our interview with Philip Pullman
Pullman also talked about the end of series two of Doctor Who - when Billie was left in a parallel world - and how similar some people say it is to his own Dark Materials series.
"I was flattered by it," Pullman said.
"That's how stories work. Stories are made out of other stories. I borrowed things for His Dark Materials. He [Russell T Davies] took my ending and twisted it to fit his story. That's fine."
Rowling for Doctor Who too?
Since Dr Who returned many fans have hoped that their favourite children's authors might write a story.
When Russell T Davies was planning the first series he asked Harry Potter creator JK Rowling if she would write an episode.
But the author, who was working on the sixth Potter book at the time, said no.
More recently Stormbreaker writer Antony Horowitz has said that he had approached the BBC and asked if he could write an episode.
New Doctor Who Executive Producer announced.
BBC Wales has announced that Piers Wenger is to take over the reins as Executive Producer for Doctor Who's fifth series and will become the new Head of Drama, BBC Wales when Julie Gardner leaves that role in January 2009.
Piers was the producer of the multi-award winning Housewife, 49 with Victoria Wood and has just finished work on Ballet Shoes, Heidi Thomas' adaptation of Noel Streatfeild's classic novel to be shown on Boxing Day on BBC One.
He left his role as Head of Development at Granada Drama earlier in the year to help set up independent drama producer Mammoth Screen.
"I'm incredibly excited to be joining BBC Wales," said Piers.
"The success of the drama team there has been extraordinary and I look forward to taking the team to even greater heights. Working with Julie Gardner on Doctor Who over the next year will provide an invaluable insight into the secrets and success of the series. I couldn't have a more inspiring leader."
Julie Gardner will continue as Executive Producer of the fourth Doctor Who series and the Doctor Who specials to be broadcast during 2009.
She will continue to executive produce Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures for BBC Wales.
In addition, Julie continues work on an impressive slate of independent dramas and will run the strategy and development of BBC Wales Drama with her handover to Piers.
BBC Wales Controller Menna Richards said: "I'm delighted Piers is joining the BBC Wales team, and I'm confident he can build on Julie's huge successes. Julie has helped transform drama production – not only at BBC Wales but across the BBC.
"She is an extraordinarily creative and dynamic leader. I am full of gratitude and admiration for her achievements at BBC Wales which will of course continue over the coming months. We owe her a huge debt."
In addition to her work with BBC Wales, Julie will continue to take the responsibility for the development and commissioning of new Saturday evening drama for BBC One, as well as working with Controller of BBC Fiction, Jane Tranter, on a wide and diverse range of special projects.
Jane Tranter comments: "Julie Gardner is one of the most impressive television executives in the UK.
"Her success over the past four years in BBC Wales drama has been unparalleled; her work on Doctor Who has earned her a place in TV history; and I'm delighted that she is committed to working across such a broad range of drama at the BBC for the next few years.
"She will provide a guiding light for Piers for the next 12 months and this creative collaboration will be an exciting time for BBC Wales drama."
Julie Gardner comments: "I know that when I hand over my sonic screwdriver to Piers for season five of Doctor Who, it'll be to someone who loves and understands the show.
"Doctor Who is the most precious TV drama in the galaxy and I'm leaving it in safe and brilliant hands.
"I've been on the trip of a lifetime in the last five years with the finest writers, actors and crew, and I've got another 18 months of time travel to enjoy.
"Just wait until you see what's coming up on Christmas day and series four!"
Doctor Who – Voyage Of The Damned will transmit on Christmas Day on BBC One. Series four of Doctor Who will transmit in spring 2008.
Piers was the producer of the multi-award winning Housewife, 49 with Victoria Wood and has just finished work on Ballet Shoes, Heidi Thomas' adaptation of Noel Streatfeild's classic novel to be shown on Boxing Day on BBC One.
He left his role as Head of Development at Granada Drama earlier in the year to help set up independent drama producer Mammoth Screen.
"I'm incredibly excited to be joining BBC Wales," said Piers.
"The success of the drama team there has been extraordinary and I look forward to taking the team to even greater heights. Working with Julie Gardner on Doctor Who over the next year will provide an invaluable insight into the secrets and success of the series. I couldn't have a more inspiring leader."
Julie Gardner will continue as Executive Producer of the fourth Doctor Who series and the Doctor Who specials to be broadcast during 2009.
She will continue to executive produce Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures for BBC Wales.
In addition, Julie continues work on an impressive slate of independent dramas and will run the strategy and development of BBC Wales Drama with her handover to Piers.
BBC Wales Controller Menna Richards said: "I'm delighted Piers is joining the BBC Wales team, and I'm confident he can build on Julie's huge successes. Julie has helped transform drama production – not only at BBC Wales but across the BBC.
"She is an extraordinarily creative and dynamic leader. I am full of gratitude and admiration for her achievements at BBC Wales which will of course continue over the coming months. We owe her a huge debt."
In addition to her work with BBC Wales, Julie will continue to take the responsibility for the development and commissioning of new Saturday evening drama for BBC One, as well as working with Controller of BBC Fiction, Jane Tranter, on a wide and diverse range of special projects.
Jane Tranter comments: "Julie Gardner is one of the most impressive television executives in the UK.
"Her success over the past four years in BBC Wales drama has been unparalleled; her work on Doctor Who has earned her a place in TV history; and I'm delighted that she is committed to working across such a broad range of drama at the BBC for the next few years.
"She will provide a guiding light for Piers for the next 12 months and this creative collaboration will be an exciting time for BBC Wales drama."
Julie Gardner comments: "I know that when I hand over my sonic screwdriver to Piers for season five of Doctor Who, it'll be to someone who loves and understands the show.
"Doctor Who is the most precious TV drama in the galaxy and I'm leaving it in safe and brilliant hands.
"I've been on the trip of a lifetime in the last five years with the finest writers, actors and crew, and I've got another 18 months of time travel to enjoy.
"Just wait until you see what's coming up on Christmas day and series four!"
Doctor Who – Voyage Of The Damned will transmit on Christmas Day on BBC One. Series four of Doctor Who will transmit in spring 2008.
Christmas episode to be a little 'extra' special.
With BBC One's Christmas Day schedule just announced, we can confirm that you need to be in front of your telly and tuned in to BBC One at 6.50pm if you don't want to miss a second of Voyage of the Damned.
And there are quite a few seconds too. This year, the Doctor Who Christmas Special will run for a whopping 71 minutes instead of the usual 60.
If that wasn't enough, there will also be a brand new one hour Doctor Who Confidential at 8.30pm on BBC Three. With a whole host of bonus material launching on the website at around 8pm too, that's quite an evening of Doctor Who entertainment.
In case you missed it, and to whet your appetite, you can now watch the BBC One Christmas trailer screened last Saturday night online. It's packed with new footage from Voyage Of The Damned. Enjoy!
Watch the trailer.
Voyage Of Damned is also repeated at 2.15pm on New Year's Day.
By the way, try rolling your mouse over the Doctor and Astrid on the homepage...
And there are quite a few seconds too. This year, the Doctor Who Christmas Special will run for a whopping 71 minutes instead of the usual 60.
If that wasn't enough, there will also be a brand new one hour Doctor Who Confidential at 8.30pm on BBC Three. With a whole host of bonus material launching on the website at around 8pm too, that's quite an evening of Doctor Who entertainment.
In case you missed it, and to whet your appetite, you can now watch the BBC One Christmas trailer screened last Saturday night online. It's packed with new footage from Voyage Of The Damned. Enjoy!
Watch the trailer.
Voyage Of Damned is also repeated at 2.15pm on New Year's Day.
By the way, try rolling your mouse over the Doctor and Astrid on the homepage...
Doctor In A Dash launches
Doctor In A Dash, the game based on the winning entry to the BBC Blast competition to devise a Doctor Who game, is now live.
Play Doctor In A Dash
Winner Colin beat hundreds of entrants and a face-off with four other finalists at a games masterclass to come up with the winning idea.
It's a space ship race, as the TARDIS competes against the Daleks, Judoon and Slitheen to retrieve a dangerous. Space-time Manipulator.
Colin worked with game designers Sequence to turn his idea into a reality. You can find out more about his experiences by following the link to the BBC Blast website below.
BBC Blast website
Play Doctor In A Dash
Winner Colin beat hundreds of entrants and a face-off with four other finalists at a games masterclass to come up with the winning idea.
It's a space ship race, as the TARDIS competes against the Daleks, Judoon and Slitheen to retrieve a dangerous. Space-time Manipulator.
Colin worked with game designers Sequence to turn his idea into a reality. You can find out more about his experiences by following the link to the BBC Blast website below.
BBC Blast website
Monday, December 03, 2007
Torchwood premieres on BBC Two in New Year
Torchwood, the award-winning drama created by Doctor Who writer Russell T Davies, bursts back on our screens in mid-January 2008, this time premiering on BBC Two.
And this time it's bigger and bolder with more fun, adventure and excitement for the alien-fighting team...
Captain Jack Harness (John Barrowman), Gwen (Eve Myles), Owen (Burn Gorman), Toshiko (Naoko Mori) and Ianto (Gareth Lloyd-Davies) return as the investigators delving into the alien underworld of modern day Cardiff.
In response to audience demand, younger fans will now have the opportunity of watching a specially edited pre-watershed repeat.
Roly Keating, Controller BBC Two, says: "We're delighted that Torchwood is joining BBC Two.
"We know from the success and popularity of Heroes that there's a growing appetite for smart, high-quality, sci-fi drama on the channel so Torchwood is a perfect fit.
"I'm also pleased to announce that, due to popular demand from families and younger viewers, we will be showing a special pre-watershed repeat so everyone can enjoy the new series."
Making a special guest appearance in the first episode is James Marsters as Captain John. He starred as Spike, the punk-goth vampire in Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel.
Captain John and Captain Jack go way back and have "history".
When he appears through the Rift under Cardiff looking for Captain Jack not only does he disrupt Captain Jack's homecoming but the whole team, city and world are suddenly placed in danger.
The new series promises an exhilarating mixture of adventure, heartbreak, humour and surprise and pushes the team's resolve and friendships as never before.
Firmly rooted in urban life of 21st century Cardiff, Torchwood's investigations into alien activity give the team glimpses of the 51st Century and the First World War.
They encounter alien sleeper cells; save a stranded creature from human exploitation; meet a tragic soldier from the First World War; and encounter a memory thief who exposes long-forgotten secrets among the entire team.
During the run Alan Dale (Ugly Betty, The O.C, Lost and The West Wing) makes a star appearance.
Another familiar face among the special guest stars is Doctor Who's companion Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman) who appears half way through the series.
Richard Briers, Nerys Hughes and Ruth Jones (Gavin And Stacey) also appear in various roles.
Russell T Davies says: "This series pushes the Torchwood team further than ever before. They are joined by some incredible guest stars who are really going to cause waves. It's adventurous, thrilling and packed full of surprises."
Torchwood, which was shot in HD and will also be shown on the BBC HD channel, is filmed in and around Cardiff by BBC Wales.
BBC Wales Controller Menna Richards says: "The first series of Torchwood was a huge hit with audiences. We're extremely proud that it's produced in Wales.
"And its success is a reflection of the huge wealth of talent and creativity that exists here.
"We're delighted that it's returning to our screens for another series full of action, humour and excitement."
The 13-part series is written by Chris Chibnall, Phil Ford, Peter J Hammond, Matt Jones, Joseph Lidster, James Moran, Helen Raynor, Catherine Tregenna and JC Wilsher.
Created by Davies, with Chris Chibnall as co-producer and lead writer, the first series which aired on BBC Three last year achieved the channel's highest ratings in 2006, with an audience of 2.5 million for the first episode, and peaking at 2.8 million.
There will be a new exciting online reality game and exclusive behind the scenes footage on bbc.co.uk/torchwood.
Torchwood is executive produced by Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner, Head of Drama, BBC Wales. The producer is Richard Stokes.
And this time it's bigger and bolder with more fun, adventure and excitement for the alien-fighting team...
Captain Jack Harness (John Barrowman), Gwen (Eve Myles), Owen (Burn Gorman), Toshiko (Naoko Mori) and Ianto (Gareth Lloyd-Davies) return as the investigators delving into the alien underworld of modern day Cardiff.
In response to audience demand, younger fans will now have the opportunity of watching a specially edited pre-watershed repeat.
Roly Keating, Controller BBC Two, says: "We're delighted that Torchwood is joining BBC Two.
"We know from the success and popularity of Heroes that there's a growing appetite for smart, high-quality, sci-fi drama on the channel so Torchwood is a perfect fit.
"I'm also pleased to announce that, due to popular demand from families and younger viewers, we will be showing a special pre-watershed repeat so everyone can enjoy the new series."
Making a special guest appearance in the first episode is James Marsters as Captain John. He starred as Spike, the punk-goth vampire in Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel.
Captain John and Captain Jack go way back and have "history".
When he appears through the Rift under Cardiff looking for Captain Jack not only does he disrupt Captain Jack's homecoming but the whole team, city and world are suddenly placed in danger.
The new series promises an exhilarating mixture of adventure, heartbreak, humour and surprise and pushes the team's resolve and friendships as never before.
Firmly rooted in urban life of 21st century Cardiff, Torchwood's investigations into alien activity give the team glimpses of the 51st Century and the First World War.
They encounter alien sleeper cells; save a stranded creature from human exploitation; meet a tragic soldier from the First World War; and encounter a memory thief who exposes long-forgotten secrets among the entire team.
During the run Alan Dale (Ugly Betty, The O.C, Lost and The West Wing) makes a star appearance.
Another familiar face among the special guest stars is Doctor Who's companion Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman) who appears half way through the series.
Richard Briers, Nerys Hughes and Ruth Jones (Gavin And Stacey) also appear in various roles.
Russell T Davies says: "This series pushes the Torchwood team further than ever before. They are joined by some incredible guest stars who are really going to cause waves. It's adventurous, thrilling and packed full of surprises."
Torchwood, which was shot in HD and will also be shown on the BBC HD channel, is filmed in and around Cardiff by BBC Wales.
BBC Wales Controller Menna Richards says: "The first series of Torchwood was a huge hit with audiences. We're extremely proud that it's produced in Wales.
"And its success is a reflection of the huge wealth of talent and creativity that exists here.
"We're delighted that it's returning to our screens for another series full of action, humour and excitement."
The 13-part series is written by Chris Chibnall, Phil Ford, Peter J Hammond, Matt Jones, Joseph Lidster, James Moran, Helen Raynor, Catherine Tregenna and JC Wilsher.
Created by Davies, with Chris Chibnall as co-producer and lead writer, the first series which aired on BBC Three last year achieved the channel's highest ratings in 2006, with an audience of 2.5 million for the first episode, and peaking at 2.8 million.
There will be a new exciting online reality game and exclusive behind the scenes footage on bbc.co.uk/torchwood.
Torchwood is executive produced by Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner, Head of Drama, BBC Wales. The producer is Richard Stokes.
Dr Who fan shares his house with 225 Daleks
THEY brought terror to his Saturday tea-times but 37 years on Robert Hull is happy to be surrounded by his arch-enemy.
From hiding behind the sofa to escape their evil clutches, Robert is now happy to decorate his own living room from floor to ceiling with . . . Daleks!
Robert has an amazing 225 models of the menacing robots in his north Doncaster front room - and the last thing the avid collector wants to do is exterminate them.
The B&Q worker became fascinated by Dr Who as an eight-year-old and, despite his fear, always wanted a Dalek but was never allowed one.
Twenty years ago he spotted a newspaper ad offering the iconic baddies for sale - and his collection began to take shape.
He recalled: "I just started collecting them about 20 years ago.
"I remember when I was little I always wanted a dalek. I haven't a clue what the collection's worth but it must be a lot. Most of them are limited editions and rarities.
"I was always terrified of them, but they're just an iconic character," he explained.
Robert's daleks come in all sizes but pride of place in the dad-of-three's collection goes to a life-size Dalek that cost him over £2,000 from a specialist website.
But the ultimate exterminator has earned its keep - by entertaining crowds outside Asda on Bawtry Road last weekend to raise £436 for Children in Need.
Robert, 45, whose favourite doctor was short-lived Christopher Eccleston, has ensured that his children Philip, 18, who now collects the latest Dr Who models, Becky 12 and Bradley, ten, share his passion -by insisting that they all sit down and watch the shows together!
But one person remains unconvinced - wife Dawn who said: "I am not that keen on them. I'd rather they were not there, I'd rather have them in the garage. They think I'm crackers but it's his hobby."
From hiding behind the sofa to escape their evil clutches, Robert is now happy to decorate his own living room from floor to ceiling with . . . Daleks!
Robert has an amazing 225 models of the menacing robots in his north Doncaster front room - and the last thing the avid collector wants to do is exterminate them.
The B&Q worker became fascinated by Dr Who as an eight-year-old and, despite his fear, always wanted a Dalek but was never allowed one.
Twenty years ago he spotted a newspaper ad offering the iconic baddies for sale - and his collection began to take shape.
He recalled: "I just started collecting them about 20 years ago.
"I remember when I was little I always wanted a dalek. I haven't a clue what the collection's worth but it must be a lot. Most of them are limited editions and rarities.
"I was always terrified of them, but they're just an iconic character," he explained.
Robert's daleks come in all sizes but pride of place in the dad-of-three's collection goes to a life-size Dalek that cost him over £2,000 from a specialist website.
But the ultimate exterminator has earned its keep - by entertaining crowds outside Asda on Bawtry Road last weekend to raise £436 for Children in Need.
Robert, 45, whose favourite doctor was short-lived Christopher Eccleston, has ensured that his children Philip, 18, who now collects the latest Dr Who models, Becky 12 and Bradley, ten, share his passion -by insisting that they all sit down and watch the shows together!
But one person remains unconvinced - wife Dawn who said: "I am not that keen on them. I'd rather they were not there, I'd rather have them in the garage. They think I'm crackers but it's his hobby."
Sunday, December 02, 2007
The snaek peek dialogue from the kylie interview
The Doctor: There we go.
Astrid: Thank you sir, I can manage.
The Doctor: I never said you couldn't, I'm The Doctor by the way.
Astrid: Astrid, sir, Astrid Perth.
The Doctor: Nice to meet you Astrid, Merry Christmas.
Astrid: Merry Christmas sir.
The Doctor: Just Doctor, not sir.
Astrid: You enjoying the cruise?
The Doctor: Erm .. yeah, I suppose, I don't know, it doesn't quite work, a cruise on your own.
Astrid: You're not with anyone?
The Doctor: No, no, just me , just err used to be but no.
Astrid: So you travel a lot?
The Doctor: All the time, just for fun, well that's the plan it never quite works.
Astrid: I see your rich though.
The Doctor: Haven't got a penny. (Whispers) The Stowaway.
Astrid: Thank you sir, I can manage.
The Doctor: I never said you couldn't, I'm The Doctor by the way.
Astrid: Astrid, sir, Astrid Perth.
The Doctor: Nice to meet you Astrid, Merry Christmas.
Astrid: Merry Christmas sir.
The Doctor: Just Doctor, not sir.
Astrid: You enjoying the cruise?
The Doctor: Erm .. yeah, I suppose, I don't know, it doesn't quite work, a cruise on your own.
Astrid: You're not with anyone?
The Doctor: No, no, just me , just err used to be but no.
Astrid: So you travel a lot?
The Doctor: All the time, just for fun, well that's the plan it never quite works.
Astrid: I see your rich though.
The Doctor: Haven't got a penny. (Whispers) The Stowaway.
Behind the scences filming for season 4
Donna's walking along, there's a flash of light and Rose comes stumbling out of it. This says to me that she is not a projection, not a hologram or anything intangible - she's actually managed somehow to get back to our universe.
Sean Pertwee keen on 'Doctor Who' role
Sean Pertwee is keen to follow in his father's footsteps and play the legendary Time Lord in Doctor Who, according to reports.The 43-year-old actor, the son of the late Jon Pertwee, told The Sun: “I’d definitely do it if I was asked and I’d definitely do something in the show such as a guest character.”The Event Horizon star also admitted that he drunkenly placed a bet on himself becoming the next occupant of the Tardis: “I went to the bookies after a few beers to put a £50 bet on myself, but the guy behind the counter said: ‘Who the f*** are you?" Jon Pertwee, who died in 1996, played the role of the Third Doctor for five seasons from 1970 to 1974, before being replaced by Tom Baker.
City gran turns Dr Who star on to Welsh cakes
MANY grandmothers might take exception to a complete stranger popping round unannounced for tea and Welsh cakes.
But Wendy Lewis wasn’t bovvered when TV comedienne Catherine Tate dropped in at her Cardiff home.
Tate, famed for her catchphrase “Am I bovvered?” as tearaway teen Lauren in her BBC1 sketch show, is currently shooting the new series of Doctor Who in the city.
But she took time out from filming to sit and have a cuppa with Wendy and her grandson Ross Lewis at Wendy’s home in Heol Gabriel, Whitchurch.
Fifteen-year-old Ross said: “She was so funny, absolutely wicked and really down to earth. She made herself comfortable and put her feet on the sofa. She didn’t mind signing autographs or posing for photographs.”
Tate has been in Cardiff since August and is staying at the St David’s Hotel and Spa in the Bay.
But while on set in north Cardiff, producers knocked on 65-year-old Wendy’s door and asked if Tate, who plays the Time Lord’s assistant in the BBC Wales sci-fi series, could take a 45-minute break from filming in nearby Court Road because it was cold. Wendy agreed – and promptly called Ross, who rushed from lessons at Whitchurch High School with classmates Victoria Spernaes and Yasmin Akbari.
“Yasmin was so surprised she said, ‘Oh my God!’ and then Catherine repeated it straight away in the voice of Lauren,” said Ross.
“My friends couldn’t believe it, they were just shocked.”
Ross, a big fan of Tate’s comedy show, asked her what it was like appearing in front of the Queen at the 2005 Royal Variety Show at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay.
“She told me she thought she was going to be locked in the Tower that night because she didn’t know how the Queen would react,” said Ross.
Ross said: “Catherine had tea and my nan’s Welsh cakes, then she came back and asked for some more to take away.”
Ross said: “It was as if I had met her a dozen times.
“My friend Yasmin said, ‘I must have a hug!’ and Catherine laughed and said, ‘Oh yes give us one then.’”
Ross said Tate, who is due to film in the capital until March, even made a joke when the director came to talk to her about a scene.
“Catherine wasn’t looking at him but had a concentrating face on and was tucking into a Welsh cake,” said the schoolboy.
“As soon as the director left the room she turned to the three of us and said, ‘I didn’t get a word of that – did you?’”
But Wendy Lewis wasn’t bovvered when TV comedienne Catherine Tate dropped in at her Cardiff home.
Tate, famed for her catchphrase “Am I bovvered?” as tearaway teen Lauren in her BBC1 sketch show, is currently shooting the new series of Doctor Who in the city.
But she took time out from filming to sit and have a cuppa with Wendy and her grandson Ross Lewis at Wendy’s home in Heol Gabriel, Whitchurch.
Fifteen-year-old Ross said: “She was so funny, absolutely wicked and really down to earth. She made herself comfortable and put her feet on the sofa. She didn’t mind signing autographs or posing for photographs.”
Tate has been in Cardiff since August and is staying at the St David’s Hotel and Spa in the Bay.
But while on set in north Cardiff, producers knocked on 65-year-old Wendy’s door and asked if Tate, who plays the Time Lord’s assistant in the BBC Wales sci-fi series, could take a 45-minute break from filming in nearby Court Road because it was cold. Wendy agreed – and promptly called Ross, who rushed from lessons at Whitchurch High School with classmates Victoria Spernaes and Yasmin Akbari.
“Yasmin was so surprised she said, ‘Oh my God!’ and then Catherine repeated it straight away in the voice of Lauren,” said Ross.
“My friends couldn’t believe it, they were just shocked.”
Ross, a big fan of Tate’s comedy show, asked her what it was like appearing in front of the Queen at the 2005 Royal Variety Show at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay.
“She told me she thought she was going to be locked in the Tower that night because she didn’t know how the Queen would react,” said Ross.
Ross said: “Catherine had tea and my nan’s Welsh cakes, then she came back and asked for some more to take away.”
Ross said: “It was as if I had met her a dozen times.
“My friend Yasmin said, ‘I must have a hug!’ and Catherine laughed and said, ‘Oh yes give us one then.’”
Ross said Tate, who is due to film in the capital until March, even made a joke when the director came to talk to her about a scene.
“Catherine wasn’t looking at him but had a concentrating face on and was tucking into a Welsh cake,” said the schoolboy.
“As soon as the director left the room she turned to the three of us and said, ‘I didn’t get a word of that – did you?’”
BBC rubbishes reports of Catherine-Billie tensions
THE BBC last night dismissed claims Billie Piper and Catherine Tate did not get along when they appeared on the Doctor Who set together for the first time.
Piper was making her return to the hit sci-fi series alongside Tate, who replaced her as the Doctor’s assistant. But witnesses said the two, pictured here during a break in filming at Birchgrove, Cardiff, maintained a frosty silence throughout the three hours on set.
Piper, 25, who was back working on Doctor Who after her success in The Secret Diary of a Call Girl, was seen laughing and joking with the film crew. But her mood apparently changed when she came face to face with Tate.
Onlooker Abigail O’Reilly, 18, said, “It was quite cold but you could see from a distance that Billie and Catherine were ice-cool with each other.
“Catherine just didn’t look happy and Billie was obviously bored. She was yawning a lot.”
Insiders claim there was rivalry between the pair, who were filming on Thursday night, over who gets top billing in the new series due to be screened next March.
But a BBC spokesman told the Western Mail, “It’s complete rubbish.”
Piper is not expected to return to the time travelling show for long. Instead she was celebrating yesterday after ITV2 bosses commissioned a second series of The Secret Diary of a Call Girl.
Piper was making her return to the hit sci-fi series alongside Tate, who replaced her as the Doctor’s assistant. But witnesses said the two, pictured here during a break in filming at Birchgrove, Cardiff, maintained a frosty silence throughout the three hours on set.
Piper, 25, who was back working on Doctor Who after her success in The Secret Diary of a Call Girl, was seen laughing and joking with the film crew. But her mood apparently changed when she came face to face with Tate.
Onlooker Abigail O’Reilly, 18, said, “It was quite cold but you could see from a distance that Billie and Catherine were ice-cool with each other.
“Catherine just didn’t look happy and Billie was obviously bored. She was yawning a lot.”
Insiders claim there was rivalry between the pair, who were filming on Thursday night, over who gets top billing in the new series due to be screened next March.
But a BBC spokesman told the Western Mail, “It’s complete rubbish.”
Piper is not expected to return to the time travelling show for long. Instead she was celebrating yesterday after ITV2 bosses commissioned a second series of The Secret Diary of a Call Girl.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Voyage of the Damned Promo pic
The latest picture, shows David Tennant (The Doctor) and Kylie Minogue (Astrid Perth) standing in front of the gold demonic angels, which many fans are already believing to be classic series villains; The Axons.
Billie Piper to return to Dr Who!!!!!!!!!!!
Actress Billie Piper is to return to Doctor Who, the BBC has confirmed.
She will star in three episodes of the sci-fi drama, reprising her role as the Doctor's companion, Rose Tyler.
Rose's return will mean the Doctor has three assistants in next year's series - Donna, played by Catherine Tate, and Freema Agyeman as Martha.
The new series begins in March and will run for 13 episodes. There will be three special editions in 2009 before the show takes a break until 2010.
Piper left Doctor Who last year, when Rose was transported into a parallel universe.
Awards
The character had been a hit and Piper won a number of awards for her performances. She was named most popular actress at the National Television Awards in 2005 and 2006.
A separate show based on Rose had been planned by writer and series producer Russell T Davies, but was scrapped when Davies decided the programme was "a spin-off too far".
Filming is currently under way in Cardiff for the new series of Doctor Who, which sees the Doctor meeting an old group of enemies - the Sontarans - 35 years after first encountering them.
Before that, the programme will return to television screens at Christmas with a special episode set on the Titanic, which will co-star singer and actress Kylie Minogue.
She will star in three episodes of the sci-fi drama, reprising her role as the Doctor's companion, Rose Tyler.
Rose's return will mean the Doctor has three assistants in next year's series - Donna, played by Catherine Tate, and Freema Agyeman as Martha.
The new series begins in March and will run for 13 episodes. There will be three special editions in 2009 before the show takes a break until 2010.
Piper left Doctor Who last year, when Rose was transported into a parallel universe.
Awards
The character had been a hit and Piper won a number of awards for her performances. She was named most popular actress at the National Television Awards in 2005 and 2006.
A separate show based on Rose had been planned by writer and series producer Russell T Davies, but was scrapped when Davies decided the programme was "a spin-off too far".
Filming is currently under way in Cardiff for the new series of Doctor Who, which sees the Doctor meeting an old group of enemies - the Sontarans - 35 years after first encountering them.
Before that, the programme will return to television screens at Christmas with a special episode set on the Titanic, which will co-star singer and actress Kylie Minogue.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Doctor Who Concept Art Goes On Sale
Doctor Who fans can buy limited edition prints of the series concept art under a new deal announced yesterday between the corporation's commercial arm BBC Worldwide and Department Six.
Ten images are available initially including Dalek DNA, The Master's Ring, The Doctor's Fob Watch and the Santa Masks from last year's Christmas special. Further prints including The Tardis, The Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver and Gallifreyan text are expected to the be added to the range.
Each print run is limited to 500 giclee editions which will be numbered and signed by the artists who created the original designs. The individual prints will also be delivered with an accompanying certificate of authenticity and princes start from £220 per image.
Carefully presented to ensure collectability and longevity, each print is hand-mounted and wrapped in a fine tissue paper overprinted with Gallifreyan text and shielded by a custom made foam lined box.
Edward Thomas, Department Six Chairman said the company were "keen to develop artwork that allowed the incredible talent captured in the images to be appreciated by future generations."
"The intricacy and care put in to the prints makes them not only must-haves for collectors but for a wider audience appreciative of the magic of this treasured television series."
Link: www.departmentsix.com
Ten images are available initially including Dalek DNA, The Master's Ring, The Doctor's Fob Watch and the Santa Masks from last year's Christmas special. Further prints including The Tardis, The Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver and Gallifreyan text are expected to the be added to the range.
Each print run is limited to 500 giclee editions which will be numbered and signed by the artists who created the original designs. The individual prints will also be delivered with an accompanying certificate of authenticity and princes start from £220 per image.
Carefully presented to ensure collectability and longevity, each print is hand-mounted and wrapped in a fine tissue paper overprinted with Gallifreyan text and shielded by a custom made foam lined box.
Edward Thomas, Department Six Chairman said the company were "keen to develop artwork that allowed the incredible talent captured in the images to be appreciated by future generations."
"The intricacy and care put in to the prints makes them not only must-haves for collectors but for a wider audience appreciative of the magic of this treasured television series."
Link: www.departmentsix.com
Davison's Celery Aids Children in Need
21-year-old Australian fan Dimitry Telfer won a piece of plastic celery worn in the series by Peter Davison — and autographed by the actor — in an eBay auction raising funds for Children in Need. Telfer's winning bid was £5,500 (AUS $12,760, USD $11,343). The BBC put the signed celery stick up for auction in aid of the children's charity last week, with bidding starting at just 99p.Dimity told Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "I couldn't let an opportunity like that get away from me and it's for a great cause. I got into 'Doctor Who' in 2005 and I've been hooked. Peter Davison is my favourite."
Sarah Jane breaks records
Official figures released by BARB show that the Monday 1730 CBBC showing of The Sarah Jane Adventures has broken records for the digital channel.The second part of Whatever Happened to Sarah Jane? is the highest rated programme to have been shown on CBBC since its launch, with an official audience of 633,000 viewers.In the list of top rated programmes, The Sarah Jane Adventures holds the first six positions, with the 7th position being taken by MI High, with 388,000 viewers.Figures for the final two episodes of this series will be available over the next two weeks.
BBC Drama Productions acquires rights to develop 1970s series Survivors for BBC One
BBC Drama Productions has acquired the rights from the Terry Nation Estate to develop the Seventies drama series Survivors, it was announced today by Jane Tranter, BBC Controller, Fiction.
Set in the present day, the new series will be written by Adrian Hodges (Ruby In The Smoke, Shadow In The North, Charles II and Primeval) for transmission on BBC One.
Launched in April 1975 on BBC One, Survivors ran for 38 episodes over three series.
The cult series focussed on a post-apocalyptic world, in the aftermath of a devastating plague which wipes out over 99% of the world's population, and how a group of individuals grappled with the trials of day-to-day survival.
Kate Harwood, Head of Series and Serials, BBC Drama Production, says: "The opportunity to remake Survivors for a modern generation proved irresistible.
"After months of negotiations, I am delighted that one of British television's great cult series will return with original stories packed with adventure and spirit set against the backdrop of our own recognisable world."
Adrian Hodges says: "Survivors was one of the bravest and most exciting programmes of its time and I'm thrilled to be involved with re-imagining it for a new audience.
"I remember its original impact vividly and I hope we can make a similar impression with the new version.
"Its themes remain as relevant as ever and while we will be staying faithful to many aspects of the original, we will also be bringing the story into the 21st Century and make it accessible to contemporary audiences."
BBC Drama Productions is a world leader in producing much loved and critically-acclaimed dramas, from classic adaptations such as the much-loved Cranford starring Dame Judi Dench and Jane Eyre, to last year's tense thriller The State Within, and next year's long-awaited adaptations of Lark Rise To Candleford and Sense And Sensibility.
A BBC Drama Production for BBC One, the executive producer of Survivors is Susan Hogg.
Set in the present day, the new series will be written by Adrian Hodges (Ruby In The Smoke, Shadow In The North, Charles II and Primeval) for transmission on BBC One.
Launched in April 1975 on BBC One, Survivors ran for 38 episodes over three series.
The cult series focussed on a post-apocalyptic world, in the aftermath of a devastating plague which wipes out over 99% of the world's population, and how a group of individuals grappled with the trials of day-to-day survival.
Kate Harwood, Head of Series and Serials, BBC Drama Production, says: "The opportunity to remake Survivors for a modern generation proved irresistible.
"After months of negotiations, I am delighted that one of British television's great cult series will return with original stories packed with adventure and spirit set against the backdrop of our own recognisable world."
Adrian Hodges says: "Survivors was one of the bravest and most exciting programmes of its time and I'm thrilled to be involved with re-imagining it for a new audience.
"I remember its original impact vividly and I hope we can make a similar impression with the new version.
"Its themes remain as relevant as ever and while we will be staying faithful to many aspects of the original, we will also be bringing the story into the 21st Century and make it accessible to contemporary audiences."
BBC Drama Productions is a world leader in producing much loved and critically-acclaimed dramas, from classic adaptations such as the much-loved Cranford starring Dame Judi Dench and Jane Eyre, to last year's tense thriller The State Within, and next year's long-awaited adaptations of Lark Rise To Candleford and Sense And Sensibility.
A BBC Drama Production for BBC One, the executive producer of Survivors is Susan Hogg.
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