HE may be a time traveller in Dr Who, but jet travel didn't suit John Barrowman as he headed for Birmingham Hippodrome to launch this year's Christmas pantomime.
John, who is best know as the time-travelling conman Capt Jack Harkness in both Dr Who and Torchwood series, joined forces with other cast members including Banzai's Masashi Fujimoto and The Grumbleweeds yesterday.
But John, who will take the lead role of Aladdin in the panto, held up the launch by an hour because he was feeling poorly after a supersonic flight.
"I am so sorry to be late," he said. "I was flying in a Hawker fighter jet to launch the RAF Tattoo and we were doing 360¼ turns and loop the loop.
"With the G-force it really hit me. When I got into the car afterwards I felt so sick I just collapsed flat."
And John confessed the event, flying from Boscombe Down in Wiltshire to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and taking in most of the UK en route had also seen a reunion with Connie Fisher, winner of How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? which John helped judge.
"She told them she didn't want to be sick so her plane was just flat," he said. "We kept looping round her to wave at her. But it was a great experience and I think I have seen the whole of England, upside down."
Also taking roles in the panto are Birmingham's Don Maclean as Widow Twankey, Lily McConigley as Princess Yasmin, Peter Gallagher as Abanazar and the Daleks from Doctor Who.
Tickets for the event went on sale before Christmas and sales figures are already well ahead of last year without the cast even being announced.
Theatre chief executive Stuart Griffiths said signing up Barrowman, who is currently filming a second series of the Dr Who spin-off Torchwood and judging television's hunt for Joseph in Any Dream Will Do, was a real coup.
"We are delighted that John, one of today's biggest stars from stage and television, will be heading the cast in what will be the theatre's 50th year of pantomime," he said.
Aladdin plays Birmingham Hippodrome from December 19-January 27, contact 0870 730 1234 or see www.birminghamhippodrome.com for ticket details.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Freema Wins at Glamour Women Awards 2007
Freema Agyeman has won “Best Newcomer” at the 2007 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
The fourth annual event was hosted by Jonathan Ross and held at Berkley Square Gardens in central London on Tuesday night. It will be broadcast on GMTV at a later date.
(Be sure to vote for Freema as best actress, so we can see her again later this year at the TVChoice awards)
The fourth annual event was hosted by Jonathan Ross and held at Berkley Square Gardens in central London on Tuesday night. It will be broadcast on GMTV at a later date.
(Be sure to vote for Freema as best actress, so we can see her again later this year at the TVChoice awards)
Colin Baker Blog
The thoughts of the Sixth Doctor are now available online via the Colin Baker fansite colinbakeronline.comBaker has agreed to post regular blogs under the title Thoughts of a Timelord. The first one, posted Sunday, talks about his current UK tour of Bedroom Farce along with previous companion Louise JamesonThe fansite aims to keep up to date with all of Colin Baker's activities, both past and present. There is also a guide to Colin's hit BBC series from the 1970's The Brothers.
Torchwood debuts in Australia on 18 June
Channel Ten have confirmed reports from the South Australian Doctor Who Fan Club that Torchwood will make its Australian debut on Monday 18 June 2007 at 9.30pm, following Supernatural.Aussie fans will be busy in June with The Runaway Bride confirmed by the ABC to debut on Thursday 28 June at 8.35pm. Series three has also been confirmed to debut on the ABC in the regular Saturday 7.30pm timeslot on 30 June (Warning: ABC links have major spoilers!).
Sarah Jane Update
Doctor Who Magazine has announced the writers for the first series of Sarah Jane Adventures. Adventures One and Four will be written by Gareth Roberts, Adventures Two and Five by Phil Ford, and Adventure Three by Phil Gladwin. While there is no script by Russell T Davies, he remains executive producer.Producer Matthew Bouch also commented on the casting of Daniel Anthony as Clyde Langerl.
"We auditioned far and wide for the final member of Sarah Jane's team, and Daniel just walked it at his audition. He's thrown himself into it, and is already an expert at running away from monsters!"
"We auditioned far and wide for the final member of Sarah Jane's team, and Daniel just walked it at his audition. He's thrown himself into it, and is already an expert at running away from monsters!"
Canada: Runaway Bride and Series Three on CBC
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is gearing up to broadcast the 2007 series of Doctor Who as well the 2006 Christmas Special The Runaway Bride. Doctor Who will continue to be aired on Monday nights at 8:00pm (8:30pm in Newfoundland).There are tentative plans to air The Runaway Bride from 8:00pm to 9:30pm on Monday June 11th, 2007. This will only happen if the NHL Stanley Cup Final playoff series between the Ottawa Senators and the Anaheim Ducks ends in either five games on Wednesday June 6th or six games on Saturday June 9th. If this playoff series goes to seven games then the CBC will be airing hockey on Monday June 11th and The Runaway Bride will be re-scheduled.Broadcast of the 2007 series on the CBC will commence on Monday June 18th, 2007 at 8:00pm with Smith and Jones.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Doctor Who – Utopia Ep 11/13
Saturday 16 June 7.15-8.00pm BBC ONE www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho
Jack's back! As Captain Jack storms back into the Doctor's life, the Tardis is thrown out of control, to the end of the universe, in tonight's episode of Russell T Davies's Doctor Who. There, they find the savage Futurekind ruling the wilderness, while a lonely Professor tries in vain to save the last of the human race.
David Tennant plays the Doctor and Freema Agyeman plays his companion, Martha Jones. John Barrowman, Rene Zagger and Sir Derek Jacobi guest star.
Jack's back! As Captain Jack storms back into the Doctor's life, the Tardis is thrown out of control, to the end of the universe, in tonight's episode of Russell T Davies's Doctor Who. There, they find the savage Futurekind ruling the wilderness, while a lonely Professor tries in vain to save the last of the human race.
David Tennant plays the Doctor and Freema Agyeman plays his companion, Martha Jones. John Barrowman, Rene Zagger and Sir Derek Jacobi guest star.
Series 4 Writers Announced
Doctor Who Magazine has announced the writers for Doctor Who Series 4. Helen Raynor and Steven Moffat are both back, each penning a two-part story for the season. Joining them are returning writers Gareth Roberts, Tom MacRae, and Stephen Greenhorn, with an episode each. Writing their first episodes for the series are James Moran and Keith Temple. Russell T Davies will be writing 4 episodes plus the Christmas Special.More details are available in Doctor Who Magazine 383, available at newsstands throughout the UK and specialist dealers around the world.
Dr Who success is out of this world
WHEN a Doctor Who exhibition was staged in the city there was no hiding behind the sofa.
Instead, thousands of sci-fi fans thronged to Peterborough Museum eager to step into the Time Lord's TARDIS and hear the immortal word "exterminate" yelled by a Dalek.At one point yesterday, museum staff had to restrict the number of people coming through the doors as a 100-metre queue stretched along Priestgate and around the corner into Trinity Street.Amazingly, the exhibition could prove to be the most successful event ever held at the museum. More than 16,000 people have visited in the first seven days, and the exhibition still has two more days to run.Enthusiasts found out how a family would have viewed the first Dr Who episode in 1963 and were confronted by a Sycorax, Clockwork Droid and an Ood.There was even a chance to look into the TARDIS – the famous police telephone box, which doubles as a transportation device.All that was missing was the Time Lord himself, actor David Tennant.When The Evening Telegraph visited the queue, excitement had reached fever-pitch.Andrew Tibbles (9), from Wimblington, near March, bounced up and down as he explained his passion for Doctor Who.Turning round to show off his Dr Who rucksack, he said: "It's brilliant. This is my second visit this week."Andrew's mum Donna said: "As soon as he came home from seeing it first time, he told his brother Kyron and, of course, he wanted to go too."Sarah and Andy Dunn, from Eastfield, Peterborough, brought along their four children, nine-year-old twins Lucy and Joe, Phoebe (4) and Maddie (1).Mrs Dunn said: "We all try and sit down and watch Dr Who every Saturday, even though the younger ones
find it a little scary."Marketing and events officer Stuart Orme said visitors had come from as far afield as Gloucestershire, Yorkshire and Kent.Mr Orme added: "It is set to be one of the most popular events ever held at the museum. We haven't seen anything like it since 1993 when, because of Jurassic Park, dinosaur fever was sweeping the nation."Then, the museum received 20,000 visitors in nine days, and when this exhibition closes on Sunday, I would have thought we would have beaten that total."The Doctor Who exhibition has been running all through half term week, but anyone who has so far missed out can grab a piece of the action at the weekend.Tomorrow, charity organisation Hyde Fundraisers will be dressing up in Dr Who monster costumes from the current series, while the exhibition will also run on Sunday.n For more information, call the museum on 01733 343329.
PLAY video
Instead, thousands of sci-fi fans thronged to Peterborough Museum eager to step into the Time Lord's TARDIS and hear the immortal word "exterminate" yelled by a Dalek.At one point yesterday, museum staff had to restrict the number of people coming through the doors as a 100-metre queue stretched along Priestgate and around the corner into Trinity Street.Amazingly, the exhibition could prove to be the most successful event ever held at the museum. More than 16,000 people have visited in the first seven days, and the exhibition still has two more days to run.Enthusiasts found out how a family would have viewed the first Dr Who episode in 1963 and were confronted by a Sycorax, Clockwork Droid and an Ood.There was even a chance to look into the TARDIS – the famous police telephone box, which doubles as a transportation device.All that was missing was the Time Lord himself, actor David Tennant.When The Evening Telegraph visited the queue, excitement had reached fever-pitch.Andrew Tibbles (9), from Wimblington, near March, bounced up and down as he explained his passion for Doctor Who.Turning round to show off his Dr Who rucksack, he said: "It's brilliant. This is my second visit this week."Andrew's mum Donna said: "As soon as he came home from seeing it first time, he told his brother Kyron and, of course, he wanted to go too."Sarah and Andy Dunn, from Eastfield, Peterborough, brought along their four children, nine-year-old twins Lucy and Joe, Phoebe (4) and Maddie (1).Mrs Dunn said: "We all try and sit down and watch Dr Who every Saturday, even though the younger ones
find it a little scary."Marketing and events officer Stuart Orme said visitors had come from as far afield as Gloucestershire, Yorkshire and Kent.Mr Orme added: "It is set to be one of the most popular events ever held at the museum. We haven't seen anything like it since 1993 when, because of Jurassic Park, dinosaur fever was sweeping the nation."Then, the museum received 20,000 visitors in nine days, and when this exhibition closes on Sunday, I would have thought we would have beaten that total."The Doctor Who exhibition has been running all through half term week, but anyone who has so far missed out can grab a piece of the action at the weekend.Tomorrow, charity organisation Hyde Fundraisers will be dressing up in Dr Who monster costumes from the current series, while the exhibition will also run on Sunday.n For more information, call the museum on 01733 343329.
PLAY video
DOCTOR GOO GOO?
Timelord's encounter with baby
DOCTOR Who? More a case of Dr Goo Goo as the timelord gets to grips with a bouncing baby in his latest adventure.
The Doctor, alias Scots actor David Tennant, has been transformed into teacher John Smith in 1913 in a bid to avoid the terrifying Family Of Blood monsters who are after him.
But no one was expecting the Dalek-battler to fall for matron Joan Redfern, alias actress Jessica Hynes. A BBC source said: "The doctor does get very close to Joan but viewers will have to tune in to see if he leaves her holding the baby."
Will they even get married? And what will his sidekick, Martha Jones, make of it all?
Doctor Who is on BBC1 tonight at 7.10pm.
DOCTOR Who? More a case of Dr Goo Goo as the timelord gets to grips with a bouncing baby in his latest adventure.
The Doctor, alias Scots actor David Tennant, has been transformed into teacher John Smith in 1913 in a bid to avoid the terrifying Family Of Blood monsters who are after him.
But no one was expecting the Dalek-battler to fall for matron Joan Redfern, alias actress Jessica Hynes. A BBC source said: "The doctor does get very close to Joan but viewers will have to tune in to see if he leaves her holding the baby."
Will they even get married? And what will his sidekick, Martha Jones, make of it all?
Doctor Who is on BBC1 tonight at 7.10pm.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Torchwood - Channel 10 website
Network 10 in Australia has published a webpage trailing the arrival of Torchwood to the channel.The site includes a guide to the series, including comments by the creator and executive producer, Russell T Davies, as well as a guide to the characters and a photo gallery.In separate interviews for the site, both Eve Myles and Naoko Mori are questioned on how they think Australians will respond to Torchwood.Outpost Gallifrey understands the series is likely to make its debut in Australia on Monday 18th June at 9.30pm.
BBC denies rumours Doctor Who will be axed
RUMOURS that Doctor Who is to be axed by creator Russell T Davies were dismissed as “idle speculation” last night.
Filming is set to start on the fourth series of the BBC Wales-produced programme next week and TV executives say the Corporation has a long-term commitment to the award-winning programme.
Speculation was rife that Swansea writer Davies, who revived the hit TV show in 2005, was scrapping the show to concentrate on other projects.
According to news reports, Davies and other senior staff working on the series were said to be thinking about handing in their resignations. But a spokesman for the show last night quashed the rumours, which had upset sci-fi fans.
“This story is merely idle speculation,” said a statement issued on behalf of the programme-makers.
Story continues
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“We are a long way away from even thinking about series five when the current series hasn’t ended and we have yet to start filming series four.
“But the BBC has a long-term commitment to Doctor Who.
“We are approaching the climax of a brilliant third series, and work on series four gets under way from next week.”
Doctor Who burst back on to our screens in 2005 after a 16-year absence, with Christopher Eccleston as the Timelord and Billie Piper as his sidekick Rose.
The first episode attracted around 10 million viewers and the programme went on to amass awards, including Baftas.
Although Eccleston quit after the first series and Piper after the second, David Tennant is proving a hit as the latest Doctor. In April, he won the Bafta Cymru award for Best Actor for his role.
Davies has also created a spin-off series, Torchwood, which was the highest-rating programme to be screened on a digital channel when it was aired on BBC3.
Filming is set to start on the fourth series of the BBC Wales-produced programme next week and TV executives say the Corporation has a long-term commitment to the award-winning programme.
Speculation was rife that Swansea writer Davies, who revived the hit TV show in 2005, was scrapping the show to concentrate on other projects.
According to news reports, Davies and other senior staff working on the series were said to be thinking about handing in their resignations. But a spokesman for the show last night quashed the rumours, which had upset sci-fi fans.
“This story is merely idle speculation,” said a statement issued on behalf of the programme-makers.
Story continues
ADVERTISEMENT
“We are a long way away from even thinking about series five when the current series hasn’t ended and we have yet to start filming series four.
“But the BBC has a long-term commitment to Doctor Who.
“We are approaching the climax of a brilliant third series, and work on series four gets under way from next week.”
Doctor Who burst back on to our screens in 2005 after a 16-year absence, with Christopher Eccleston as the Timelord and Billie Piper as his sidekick Rose.
The first episode attracted around 10 million viewers and the programme went on to amass awards, including Baftas.
Although Eccleston quit after the first series and Piper after the second, David Tennant is proving a hit as the latest Doctor. In April, he won the Bafta Cymru award for Best Actor for his role.
Davies has also created a spin-off series, Torchwood, which was the highest-rating programme to be screened on a digital channel when it was aired on BBC3.
Storybook 2008 Update
Doctor Who Magazine has announced some of the more details for the Doctor Who Storybook 2008. Authors for this 80-page hardback summer release include Gareth Roberts (The Body Bank), Tom MacRae (Cats and Dogs), Robert Shearman (The Box Under the Tree), Justin Richards (Kiss of Life), Nicholas Briggs (The Iron Circle), Nicholas Pegg (Deep Water), and Paul Magrs (Zombie Motel). The comic strip for the book is Sunscreen, written by Jonathan Morris and with art by Martin Geraghty. Other artists for the book include Brian Williamson, Andy Walker, Adrian Salmon, Ben Willsher, and with Alister Pearson doing the cover.
Divorce given to Piper and Evans
Actress Billie Piper and DJ Chris Evans have been granted a divorce, nearly three years after their separation.
The pair, who met when Piper appeared on Evans' TV show TFI Friday, married in Las Vegas five months later in 2001. They separated in October 2004.
Evans, who is 17 years Piper's senior, famously wooed the teenage pop star with a Ferrari filled with roses, even though she could not drive at the time.
Piper, 25, has insisted she will not seek any money from her ex-husband.
Acting career
Last year Piper revealed how she regretted not telling her parents in person about the wedding in Las Vegas, which reportedly cost £250 and was attended by six friends.
Following the ceremony, the couple travelled for 18 months before returning to the UK where Piper kicked off her acting career with a role in BBC's The Canterbury Tales.
She went on take a leading role in the return of Doctor Who, as the Doctor's assistant Rose Tyler.
Piper was the youngest female solo artist to reach number one with her debut single, Because We Want to, in 1998.
Evans has recently resurrected his radio career by winning two Sony awards for his BBC Radio 2 show.
The pair, who met when Piper appeared on Evans' TV show TFI Friday, married in Las Vegas five months later in 2001. They separated in October 2004.
Evans, who is 17 years Piper's senior, famously wooed the teenage pop star with a Ferrari filled with roses, even though she could not drive at the time.
Piper, 25, has insisted she will not seek any money from her ex-husband.
Acting career
Last year Piper revealed how she regretted not telling her parents in person about the wedding in Las Vegas, which reportedly cost £250 and was attended by six friends.
Following the ceremony, the couple travelled for 18 months before returning to the UK where Piper kicked off her acting career with a role in BBC's The Canterbury Tales.
She went on take a leading role in the return of Doctor Who, as the Doctor's assistant Rose Tyler.
Piper was the youngest female solo artist to reach number one with her debut single, Because We Want to, in 1998.
Evans has recently resurrected his radio career by winning two Sony awards for his BBC Radio 2 show.
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