David Tennant Departure Interview

The interview with David Tennant about him leaving Doctor Who after the 2009 Specials, which is on the BBC Doctor Who website has been uploaded by the BBC to YouTube (watch below), meaning that I can embed it here and that people outside the UK can now watch it. Also, the new trailer for 'The Next Doctor' is at the end of the interview.

Tom Baker on Have I Got News For You

Tom Baker will be on Have I Got News For You tonight at 9:00pm. The 4th Doctor actor will be hosting the satirical programme, Ian Hislop and Paul Merton are, as usual, team leaders, with guest Chris Addison.

Have I Got News For You is currently on its 36th series, here is today's episode press release:
"Tom Baker hosts the popular news quiz, with team captains Paul Merton and Ian Hislop joined by guest panellists, including Chris Addison."

Tom Baker has been on the show before, to see him on that episode click on the following links: part 1, part 2 and part 3. After today's episode is aired it will be available for a week on BBC iPlayer in the UK.

Please comment.

'The Next Doctor' Extended Trailer

The official BBC Doctor Who website have revealed the brand new extended trailer (watch below) of this year's Christmas special, 'The Next Doctor'. As many of you might already know, this trailer was premiered at the Comic Con 2008 and you can watch it below, enjoy!
"Merry Christmas to you too!"

The first 2 minutes of 'The Next Doctor' will be shown as part of Children In Need night on 14th November.

The video used was from the YouTube user, thedoctorwho07 (me! lol).
Please comment.

Who's Won At NTA and BREAKING NEWS!

If you were watching the National Television Awards earlier tonight, you'll know that Doctor Who, David Tennant and Catherine Tate were nominated for awards! Hooray!

Doctor Who won, David Tennant won... BUT... David Tennant also confirmed on a live message that he will definitely be leaving Doctor Who at the end of the 2009 specials and will not play the Doctor in Series 5!

I'm guessing you'll all have views on this, so what do you think?
Please comment!

UPDATE - Go to the following link to the official Doctor Who website to watch and interview with David Tennant about him leaving Doctor Who and see a brand new trailer for the Christmas 2008 special The Next Doctor at the end of the video.
WATCH HERE>>>

'Battlefield' DVD Release

The cover (see below) and details for an upcoming DVD from 2entertain of the 7th Doctor and Ace story 'Battlefield' have been released. Here's the story's synopsis:

"The Doctor and Ace receive a mysterious distress signal and land in the Earth village of Carbury, where a nuclear convoy has halted. The Doctor's concern is heightened when knights from another dimension begin to land in the area. Nearby is Lake Voortigen, the mythical resting-place of Excalibur, King Arthur's mystical sword...

But the lake holds a more sinister secret. A spaceship from the same alien dimension lurks under the lake - but does it really contain Arthur's corpse? And what is it that the Witch Queen, Morgaine, is really after?"

The Special Features include:

• Watertank
• From Kingdom to Queen - Jean Marsh in Doctor Who
• Past and Future King - Writing 'Battlefield'
• Storm Over Avallion - Making 'Battlefield'
• 'Battlefield' - Photo Gallery
• 'Battlefield' Studio Recording - 1st June 1989
• Trailers and Continuity

Here is the cover:

2entertain's DVD of 'Battlefield' is released 29th December 2008 for £19.99

SJA - 'Mark of the Berserker' Part 1 Synopsis

The offcial BBC Press Office synopsis for Part 1 of the fourth Sarah Jane Adventures Series 2 story has been released. Here it is:

"Luke and Rani enlist the help of Clyde's mum to help track down Clyde and his father, who has the alien pendant, as the children's drama series, produced by Russell T Davies, continues. The chase leads to a terrifying waterside confrontation, as the pendant takes control of Paul and begins transforming him.

Sarah Jane Smith is played by Elisabeth Sladen, Luke by Thomas Knight, Rani by Anjil Mohindra and Clyde by Daniel Anthony."

The first airdate for Part 1 of 'Mark of the Berserber' is Monday 3rd November at 5:15pm on the CBBC Channel and is repeated the following Monday on BBC1 at 4:35pm.

Please comment below.

The Next Doctor Clip on CiN

A clip of this year's Christmas Special is to be shown as part of Children In Need night. The special clip is of the first 2 minutes of 'The Next Doctor' starring David Tennant and David Morrisey. As well as that, these pictures have been released, presumably from the special clip:Also, John Barrowman (best known for playing Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who and Torchwood) is set perform his new single "What About Us?" live.

Children In Need is on 14th November, BBC One from 7:00pm onwards into the night.

Children In Need website

The Darksmith Legacy - Press Launch and Contest

A contest for tickets to the press launch of the upcoming ten-part Doctor Who book series (see covers below), The Darksmith Legacy, are 'up for grabs'. The press launch will be held on 6th November this year, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.

The winners will be the first to "preview the books", take a look at the interactive online content, be given free entry to the Earls Court Doctor Who exhibition, a Doctor Who goodie bag and interview the writers of the books. The competition only open to 13 to 18 year olds and closes on 3rd November.

Read DWF's previous articles on The Darksmith Legacy:
Book Synopses and Release Dates >>>
Original article>>>

Please comment.

Rumoured Children In Need Scene

I'm sure you've all seen somewhere that this year there will be a Children in Need related scene of Doctor Who. However, there are rumours that it may be crossing over with the BBC show Ashes to Ashes (the spin-off series of Life on Mars).

The announcement for this year's Children In Need says this:
“There are some Children In Need-themed scenes from Doctor Who and Ashes To Ashes, a musical extravaganza from Albert Square, featuring the cast of EastEnders, and a special edition of Junior Masterchef.”

Let's hope this rumour is true!
Please comment.

CONGRATULATIONS BILLIE!

Billie Piper has delivered her first baby! Speaking outside the private Portland Hospital, Billie's husband, actor Laurence Fox (who she married at the begining of this year), said, "I feel fantastic!"

The baby, as you can probably guess by this post's banner, is a boy. Recently, Billie said she was apprehensive about the birth:
"Some women are all about this glowing, blooming thing, aren't they? I haven't really tapped into that. I've basically replaced all my vices for a new one - control. I've had about 10 scans and I bought one of those baby heart monitor things. Such a bad idea - its like listening to a huge shell on the beach. But I do love it. The whole thing is just so sweet, tender and adorable."

When asked about if they had chosen a name yet, Laurence replied, "It's a private moment."

Congradulations to Billie and Laurence!

Please comment.

UPDATE - Series 4 Wave 2 Action Figures

A few days ago I reported on the new figures in Wave 2 of the Series 4 action figures from Character Options (see original article here). I now have a high-resolution image of all the figures and one of the Hath Peck figure:
Please comment.

Eighth Doctor Adventures Today

This is just a post to remind you all that the Big Finish audio play Doctor Who adventures with the 8th Doctor start today. T0day's episode is called 'Dead London' and here's its quick synopsis:
"The Doctor and Lucie get trapped with a killer in a labyrinth of London's history.
Starring Paul McGann and Sheridan Smith."

'Dead London is aired on BBC Radio 7 at 6:00pm and is repeated at midnight.


UPDATE: You can now listen to 'Dead London' on BBC iPlayer (HERE) and behind-the-scenes programme, Beyond the Vortex (HERE).

Doctor Who and Torchwood 2009 Reads

BBC Books have released names and some details on upcoming Doctor Who and Torchwood books:

Doctor Who books

• The Taking of Chelsea 426 - by David Llewellyn
• Autonomy - by Daniel Blythe
• The Krillitane Storm - by Christopher Cooper

Torchwood books

• Into the Silence - by Sarah Pinborough
  "The body in the church hall is very definitely dead. It has been sliced open with surgical precision, its organs exposed, and its vocal cords are gone. It is as if they were never there or they've been dissolved... With the Welsh amateur Operatic Contest getting under way, music is filling the churches and concert halls of Cardiff. The competition has attracted the finest Welsh talent to the city, but it has also drawn something else - there are stories of a metallic creature hiding in the shadows. Torchwood are on its tail, but it's moving too fast for them to track it down. This new threat requires a new tactic - so Ianto Jones is joining a male voice choir..."


• Bay of the Dead - by Mark Morris
  "When the city sleeps, the dead start to walk... Something has sealed off Cardiff, and living corpse are stalking the streets, leaving a trail of half-eaten bodies. Animals are butchered. A young coupe in their car never reach home. A stolen tugboat is brought back to shore, carrying only human remains. And a couple of girls heading back from the pub watch the mysterious drivers of a big black SUV take over a crime scene. Torchwood have to deal with the intangible barrier surrounding Cardiff, and some unidentified space debris that seems to be regenerating itself. Plus, of course, the all-night zombie horror show. Not that they really believe in zombies."


• The House that Jack Built - by Guy Adams
  "Jackson Leaves - an Edwardian house in Penylen, built 1906, semi-detached, three storeys, spacious, beautifully presented. Left in good condition to Rob and Julia by Rob's late aunt. It's an ordinary sort of a house. Except for the way the rooms don't stay in the same places. And the strange man that turns up in the airing cupboard. And the apparitions. And the temporal surges that attract the attentions of Torchwood. And the fact that the first owner of Jackson Leaves in 1906 was a Captain Jack Harkness..."

The 3 Doctor Who books are set for release some time in Autumn 2009 and the Torchwood books will be released 29th May 2009.
I will post the covers for all 6 books and details on the Doctor Who books once they are released.

Please comment.

Series 4 Soundtrack Track Listings

Silva Screen Records, as I'm sure you all know, is to release a soudtrack for Series 4 of Doctor Who (see cover below) and have today released the list of 27 tracks on the disc:

1. Doctor Who Season Four Opening Credits (0:46)

2. A Noble Girl About Town (2:14)

3. Life Among the Distant Stars (2:30)

4. Corridors and Fire Escapes (1:12)

5. The Sybilline Sisterhood (1:53)

6. Songs of Captivity and Freedom (4:03)

7. UNIT Rocks (1:11)

8. The Doctor's Daughter (1:38)

9. The Source (3:21)

10. The Unicorn and the Wasp (3:11)

11. The Doctor's Theme Season Four (2:47)

12. Voyage of the Damned Suite (10:21)

13. The Girl With No Name (2:45)

14. The Song of Song (2:14)

15. All in the Mind (1:18)

16. Silence In The Library (2:57)

17. The Greatest Story Never Told (6:17)

18. Midnight (3:07)

19. Turn Left (2:20)

20. A Dazzling End (2:22)

21. The Rueful Fate of Donna Noble (2:44)

22. Davros (2:07)

23. The Dark and Endless Dalek Night (3:44)

24. A Pressing Need to Save the World (4:55)

25. Hanging On The Tablaphone (1:07)

26. Song of Freedom (2:51)

27. Doctor Who Season Four Closing Credits (1:07)

The Doctor Who Series 4 Original Soundtrack is released on November 17th, but will be available from its makers' website, Silva Screen.

2009 Special's Director Confirmed

Doctor Who Magazine #401 was released today and inside Gallifrey Guardian (the regular news pages, to those of you who don't get DWM) it has a whopping great, big headline: "Director confirmed for Easter Special...".

The Director in question, who will direct the first of the 2009 specials is none other than James Strong! James has directed many Doctor Who episodes in the past as well, including The Impossible Planet / The Satan Pit, Daleks In Manhatten / Evolution Of The Daleks, Voyage of the Damned and Partners In Crime.

Please comment.

Comic Book Release - Betrothal Of Sontar

According to the latest Doctor Who Magazine issue Panini Books are to release a comic book called The Betrothal Of Sontar (see cover below). It contains the first 8 comic strips of the 10th Doctor and Rose as featured in DWM itself. The 8 comics include:

• The Betrothal of Sontar
• The Lodger
• F.A.Q.
• The Futurists
• Interstellar Overdrive
• Opera of Doom!
• The Greeneyed Monster
• The Warkeeper's Crown

The book also includes in-depth commentaries on all the stories from the writers and artists.

I'm not sure whether this is the definite cover because DWM's picture of the cover is different.

The Betrothal of Sontar is released this month for £15.99.

DWM #401 - Released Today

Just a quick note to remind you all that Doctor Who Magazine is released into shops today for £3.99 (see cover below).

See original article>>>

Series 4 Wave 2 Action Figures!

A picture and list of the action figures included in the Series 4 Wave 2 figures range has been released at last! So let's get right onto it; here is a list of the brand new additions (a picture of all the figures is below) in Wave 2:

• Hathpeck
  As seen in 'The Doctor's Daughter'. The Hath, alongside human beings, plan to colonise the planet Messaline. The Hath includes a large weapon accessory.
• Time Lord
  As seen in 'The Sound of Drums'. Wearing a red cloak and headdress with two detailed bronze effect medalions.
• Professor River Song
  As seen in 'Silence in the Library' and 'Forest of the Dead'. The Doctor's future soul mate is an archaeologist from the 51st century.
• Vashta Nerada
  As seen in 'Silence in the Library' and 'Forest of the Dead'. Vashta Nerada: rapacious shadow entities that consume their victims alive.
• Grey Judoon Captain
  As seen in 'Smith and Jones' and 'The Stolen Earth'. This figure can also be found as a Series 3 figure in grey and ivory.

Will you be getting these figures? Please comment.

SJA: 'Secrets of the Stars' Part 2 Synopsis

The official BBC Press Office synopsis for the third story in Series 2 of Sarah Jane Adventures, 'Secrets of the Stars', has been released. Here it is:

"As Trueman begins to take over the world's population through their star signs, Clyde takes a big gamble to help Sarah Jane, Luke and Rani into the astrologer's inner circle, as the children's drama series, produced by Russell T Davies, continues.

But when Sarah Jane's plan to defeat Trueman fails, who will be Earth's last hope to overcome the Ancient Lights?"

The first airdate for Part 2 of 'Secrets of the Stars' is Monday 27th October at 5:15pm on the CBBC Channel and is repeated the following Monday on BBC1 at 4:35pm.
Please comment below.

Seven Doctors?

The Telegraph have reported that 7 of the 10 Doctors are "set for reunion". An insider at the BBC has apparently told them this: "It's a pretty ambitious idea and it's still being finalised. Everything is being kept under wraps but Doctor Who fans are in for a big treat."

All the Doctors, apart from William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton and Jon Pertwee, are to return in one big special episode for BBC's Children In Need on November 14th. However, I think I have spotted a hole in their story. Didn't Russell T Davies say himself that they had not had any time for a Children In Need special this year, but that Doctor Who would simply play a part?

Also, the Telegraph reported that the 10th Doctor himself, David Tennant, had not yet decided whether or not he would be in Series 5. But RTD has also said he knows when David is to leave. How can he know and not David Tennant? This doesn't add up.

Please comment.

Doctor Who Magazine #401 Cover

The cover for DWM #401 has been released. The official report has not yet been released, but here's what the cover (see below) and infomation from last issue tells us:

• New 8th Doctor radio series is previewed.
• WIN Russell T Davies new book, The Writer's Tale.
• How Davros was brought back to life for the Series 4 finale.
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes look at The Sarah Jane Adventures Series 2.
• Comic Strip: 'Thinktwice' - Part 2.
• The Fact of Fiction: 'Resurrection of the Daleks'.
• Time Team: 'Time and the Rani'.
• ...and all the usual favourites: Gallifrey Guardian, Who On Earth Is, Production Notes, You Are Not Alone, episode, audio and book reviews, and Galaxy Forum.

Doctor Who Magazine #401 is released in WHSmith's and other good newsagents Thursday 16th October, £3.99.

SJA: Secrets of the Stars Synopsis

The synopsis for the first episode of the third SJA Series 2 story, 'Secrets of the Stars', has been released. This episode will be first broadcast on the CBBC channel straight after 'The Day of the Clown' has aired on BBC1. Here's the synopsis:

"Sarah Jane and the gang embark on another exciting new adventure this week as the children's drama series, produced by Russell T Davies, continues.

Astrologer Martin Trueman causes a stir with his uncanny insights and predictions. While Sarah Jane doesn't believe in astrology, she does believe that all is not as it seems with Trueman. Around her, people are falling under Trueman's sinister spell and even Mr Smith doesn't understand what's going on."

Sounds like another great SJA story!

Please comment.

Favourite Episode Project - Overall Winner

Over the past week you have been voting for your favourite overall episode out of the ones chosen in the last four weeks by you. The lat part of The Favourite Episode Project has now finished and the overall winning vote, with just less than a third of all the votes, is...

4.13: Journey's End (32%)

Thank you to every single one of you who voted in DWF's favourite Episode Project and the voting polls will be back to normal from tomorrow onwards.

The Favourite Episode Project>>>

Adventures In Time And Space #3

Here is Part 3 of my first Adventures in Time and Space story, The Bat and the Wolf (featuring the 10th Doctor and Martha).

Part 4 has finished filming and is now just entering the editing stage.
Please comment with your views on Part 3.

The Darksmith Legacy - Synopses and Release Dates

I previously posted an article on The Darksmith Legacy (see original article) ten-part book series of Doctor Who. Since then, the titles and some release dates and synopses have been announced:

1: The Dust of Ages - 29th January
2: The Graves of Mordane - 29th January
3: The Colour of Darkness - 26th February
4: The Depths of Despair - 26th March
5: The Vampire of Paris - (TBC)
6: The Game of Death - (TBC)
7: The Planet of Oblivion - (TBC)
8: The Picture of Emptiness - (TBC)
9: The Art of War - (TBC)
10: The End of Time - (TBC)

SYNOPSES:

1 - The Dust Of Ages

"The Doctor arrives just in time to lend a helping hand to a survey team of scientists drilling beneath the Moon’s surface to discover the cause of an unusual power source. The adventure continues with deadly lunar dust and a Crystal that has been lost for centuries…. Unfortunately it’s just what the Darksmiths have been looking for and they have despatched an Agent to recover it. At any cost."

2 - The Graves Of Mordane

"Convinced that the Doctor is Varlos, the Agent demands the return of the Eternity Crystal. But what happened on Mordane to make the Crystal too dangerous to be left on the Moon? The Doctor has to convince the Agent that he is not Varlos and doesn’t know what happened on Mordane, then escape with the TARDIS and find out. The Doctor decides that the Eternity Crystal must be destroyed but before he can the Agent and the Crystal vanish. He has to find the Agent, which leaves the Doctor only one option, and he doesn’t like it…"

3 - The Colour Of Darkness

"The Doctor travels to Karagula to meet the fabled Darksmiths in a bid to outwit the Agent and get the crystal. Can the Doctor uncover the mystery of the childless village? Who is the travelling Dreams-Merchant? Is there a link with the Dark Cathedral of the Darksmiths? Will the Agent arrive and identify the Doctor to the Darksmiths? Find out by reading the third exciting instalment of The Darksmith Legacy!"

Will you be collecting The Darksmith Legacy books?
Please comment.

Favourite Episode Project - Series 4 Results

Last week you all voted for you favourite Doctor Who episode from Series 3 as part of DWF's Favourite Episode Project and 33 people voted; one of the highest voted for polls on DWF! This time, like last week, the two winning voting are equal, as one of them got a vote in the last few minutes, and they are...

= The Stolen Earth (22% votes)

= Journey's End (22% votes)

We now head into the final part of DWF's Favourite Episode Project. There are 8 options and they are the 2 episodes in each part which were voted highest.

So what are you waiting for? Get voting!

The Favourite Episode Project>>>

The Darksmith Legacy - Ten-Part Book Series

A ten-part book series, published by BBC Children's Books and Penguin Books, of Doctor Who is to be lauched next year called The Darksmith Legacy. The first 2 books will be released in January 2009 and a new part will be released each month following. There will be cliffhangers, interactivity and content only available online! Here are the first 3 titles:
1 - The Dust of Ages by Justin Richards
2 - The Graves of Mordane by Colin Brake
3 - The Colour of Darkness by Richard Dungworth

Here is the Press Release:
"Join the Quest to save the Doctor and the Eternity Crystal from his latest adversaries: The Darksmith Collective.
In addition to the books, readers can assist the Doctor in his Quest by visiting online destination www.thedarksmithlegacy.com.
By registering on the site, visitors can create their own avatar and alien identity and begin collecting
eternity points, crucial to the Doctor's survival.

Collaboration with other fans online to earn extra points will release exclusive content and assist in the Quest to keep the precious Eternity Crystal safe from the dangerous Darksmith Collective."

Sounds exciting!
Please comment.