The overnight ratings are in for 10.1: The Pilot.

The episode achieved an overnight viewing figure of 4.64m viewers, with a 24.8% audience share, and was the second most-watched show on BBC One for the evening.

The final BARB ratings will be confirmed on Monday 24th April, and will include the time shift which will see a much larger rise in the final rating.

Overnight Viewing Figure:
4.64m / 24.8% audience share.

+  What did you think of the episode? Rate / Discuss in the DWO Forums!

[Source: DWO]

Going into Series 10 was always going to be a bittersweet situation; there's the excitement of a brand new series, after what feels like an age away from our screens, coupled with the sadness - and reality - that Peter Capaldi will be leaving the show this year. Perhaps, what has made this a particularly bitter pill to swallow, is just how good Capaldi is in this opening episode. He is fully into his groove as The Doctor, and embodies the role with gusto, and you can't help reminding yourself after every little Doctor-y moment, that his days are numbered. Thankfully, we have new companion, Bill Potts (Pearl Mackie), to help distract us from the harsh reality of Capaldi's departure.

'The Pilot' takes Doctor Who back to its basics, and, much like 2005's 'Rose' was a companion-centric episode, Bill has a real chance to shine as she takes up the majority of the screen time in the episode. And just how good is Pearl Mackie as Bill?! She positively shines with energy, attitude, intelligence and...yes...that AMAZING hair! The lump in our throats from Clara's departure is very much still there, but hands-down, Bill Potts will win you over before the end titles roll. There's a heart-breaking scene set at Christmas that is played down wonderfully, allowing you to connect your own dots, but it really gets you in the feels, and Pearl plays it so, so well.

Matt Lucas' Nardole is definitely warming to us and he is fast becoming a character that you're glad to have in moments when The Doctor seems a little too 'alien' to Bill's emotions. There's a rather lovely little scene towards the end of the episode that stands out in particular. 

The episode itself delivers in so many ways, and whilst it may not quite live up to the Series 10 opener, it sets up a new direction, a new companion and a new threat, fantastically. A typical device used by Steven Moffat is to take an everyday object and turn it into something sinister, and The Pilot is no exception. Without wanting to give too much away, there's a puddle that's...well....not *quite* a puddle, leading to some moments within the episode that will genuinely make you jump out of your seat. Oh...and taking a shower will never seem quite so appealing anymore. There's a neat little scene that almost mirror's Rose's descent into the basement in 'Rose', and whilst Bill is very different to Rose, you can't help feeling the connection here. Expect a very different reaction from Bill when she sees the interior of the TARDIS for the first time (rather frustratingly for The Doctor), but it's played out very well indeed, to comic effect.

Those of you expecting an all-out Dalek-filled romp will be disappointed as their appearance is fleeting, but you do get a rather nice cameo from some Classic Series characters who have a certain association with them. The scene that featured in the BBC One companion reveal of 'Pearl Mackie as Bill' does indeed find its way into the episode, albeit an edited version to suit the pacing.

What we are missing most from the episode is Murray Gold's amazing scores. Don't get us wrong, there is some new material here from Gold, mostly connected to Bill Potts, but the music isn't as anthemic as it used to be. For the record we absolutely adore Murray Gold's music for Doctor Who, and there's no denying we've been a little spoiled over the years with so many audible treasures, but the days when 'All The Strange, Strange Creatures' or 'I Am The Doctor' became set pieces that followed through the season, seem to be fading. There is a rousing snippet of the 12th Doctor's 'A Good Man?' theme, but it feels a little shoe-horned in, and what this episode is crying out for is something new and bold to push it above and beyond.

Overall we loved the episode and you definitely feel like you've been on an adventure by the end of it. Things feel renewed and refreshed, which goes hand-in-hand with this show and The Pilot wonderfully, and rather aptly creates a new stepping-on point for anyone wanting to start their own journey into the Doctor Who series.



5 Things To Look Out For:

1) A TARDIS trip to Australia!
2) A jar of Sonic Screwdrivers!
3) A present in the wardrobe.
4) What is The Doctor guarding?
5) "I fatted her!"

+. 10.1: The Pilot airs This Saturday at 7:20pm on BBC One.

[Source: DWO]

During last night's press screening of the Doctor Who Series 10 opening episode 'The Pilot', Steven Moffat teased an "enormous spoiler" in the trailer that precedes it.

Moffat apparently encouraged the audience to close their eyes at a certain point during the Episode Two trailer;

"This is just a public warning... some people hate spoilers and some people love spoilers; and everybody hates me whatever way they think about it. So this is my last attempt in this role to avoid hatred.

At the end of the episode there will be yet another awesome trailer for Doctor Who. At the very end of the trailer there is, frankly, an enormous spoiler, a spoiler that may actually melt your brains. But I promise you, you'd be better off not knowing because - awesome though it will be here - it will be even more awesome in a few weeks' time. So we're gonna give you the option, in our frankly camp and ridiculous way.

There will come up a warning and then there will be a countdown to the spoiler, and then there will be a warning to 'blink now'. If at that point you close your eyes and wait until you hear the cliffhanger noise, you will have a better experience in a few weeks’ time."

So what could this spoiler be?

Well, as the loyal readers among you will know, DWO is a spoiler-free site, but that can't get in the way of a gentle bit of speculation. Now we could be completely way off with this, but we believe the spoiler *may* be centred around The Doctor's granddaughter, Susan [Foreman]... and here's why:

Let's cast our minds back to yesterday, when the Radio Times released an image featuring 13 clues from Series 10. One of the clues (No.3) was a book that Pearl Mackie was holding - a book that anyone who is familiar with the Penguin Classics will know as 'Northanger Abbey'.

What a lot of people don't know is that Jane Austen (the author of the book) originally titled it 'Susan'. Based on the prominent placement in the image, as well as the brief shot of a photo of Susan in a recent clip from the episode, our money is on Susan being the big spoiler.

We could, as we say, be completely wrong, but it's a very exciting prospect if true! There are other possibilities of what the spoiler could be, including a regeneration, another Doctor or even something connected with the Time Lords...

We'd love to hear what you think the spoiler is. Do you agree with us? Do you have another theory? Let us know in the comments box below or in the DWO Forums, by clicking the 'Discuss' button. 

+  Series 10 of Doctor Who airs from Saturday 15th April 2017.

[Sources: DWO; Radio Times; Sean Lassiter]

Manufacturer: Big Finish Productions

Writer: Matthew J. Elliott

RRP: £14.99 (CD) / £12.99 (Download)

Release Date: March 2017

Reviewed by: Steve Bartle for Doctor Who Online

"In the Vortex, the TARDIS comes under a form of psychic attack – resulting in the abductions of first Adric, then Tegan. Following their trail, the Doctor and Nyssa arrive under the lurid skies of the planet Zaltys, whose entire population has vanished in strange circumstances. Soon, they discover that Zaltys is now the target of treasure seekers, come to scavenge this so-called Planet of the Dead…

Meanwhile, deep below the planet’s surface, Adric learns the earth-shattering reason why the people of Zaltys disappeared... and why they were wise to do so. And Tegan is, quite literally, in the dark – enduring interrogation by the mysterious Clarimonde. Any friend of the Doctor’s is Clarimonde’s enemy... because theirs is a blood feud!"

It wasn’t until reading Peter Davison's recently released autobiography that I realised he has now been doing Big Finish for over fifteen years. It puts into perspective the challenges faced by the writers of Big Finish to continually come up with new ideas while also staying true to the time the stories are set within the series original run.

Although Davison's tenure with Big Finish is lengthy it wasn’t until 2014 when the original ‘Crowded Tardis’ team of the Doctor, Adric, Tegan and Nyssa were reunited once more. In 2017 they are now well into their stride and Zaltys writer Matthew J. Elliott has managed to recapture the sense of relationships that instantly transports you right back to that weekday tea time slot from the early eighties.

All the tropes of that particular era are here and affectionately conveyed. The story opens with a protracted Tardis scene with our four protagonists. Big sister Tegan and little brother Adric are bickering away just as they always did. Tegan is still incessantly going on about getting back to Heathrow and actually goads Adric into showing off his so called superior maths skills and putting them into practice when programming a flight course to her desired destination. The chance to impress naturally appeals to Adrics constant desire to prove his worth to The Doctor, but needles s to say  this goes disastrously wrong leading to the TARDIS crew disappearing one by one. And with that we are off into the heart of the story!

This might be one of the most jam-packed stories Big Finish has ever produced, with so many disparate elements. We have fish people, a wolfman with psychic abilities, and grave robbers - to name a few. And all the while our TARDIS team are encountering these colourful characters, there's the threat of a huge space meteorite heading towards Zaltys that will mean the ultimate destruction of everyone.

Of course Elliot’s real challenge is to serve all the main characters well, a feat the TV series failed at with regularity during this period. As well as getting all their characteristics spot on, Elliott manages to give them all a decent narrative strand too. Nyssa is paired with The Doctor as she frequently was in the original run; Adric forms an uneasy alliance with the custodians of Zaltys in a very similar vein to his questionable allegiances in Four To Doomsday and State Of Decay. Additionally Tegan gets plenty of time in a ventilation shaft. What could be more appropriate than that!!

Special mention should go to Rebecca Roots' portrayal of Sable who brings a deadpan style of delivery that makes you really warm to the character and want to see her on more adventures. Phillip Franks and Niamh Cusack are also effective as the questionable villains of the story.

Elliott also writes Davison's Fifth incarnation extremely well too. I always enjoy the breathless energy that he injects into every story but here we also get the acerbic wit that we know his portrayal was capable of but never truly had the opportunity to show consistently on TV. Perhaps only in Time Crash, so many years later, did we see what his potential for humour truly was.

At certain points in the story you wonder how Elliott is going to tie all these storylines together, as it seems all the strands are running parallel and yet so separate, but manage it he does, and with aplomb. It is almost a shame we don’t get to spend more time with all the fascinating characters that he has created for our enjoyment.

However the real gem of this story for me is some of the interaction between the regulars. There are a couple of standout scenes for me; at one point Tegan questions whether Adric was happier when it was just The Doctor and him onboard the TARDIS and when one thinks back to the opening scenes of The Keeper Of Traken and Logopolis it would be hard to argue that wasn’t the case. Additionally a scene towards the end between The Doctor and Adric which, knowing Adrics ultimate fate, is extremely emotive.

Overall a great showcase for one of my favourite TARDIS teams; once again and a very ambitious story that revels in seemingly pulling together various storyline strands into a satisfying conclusion.

+  ORDER this CD via Amazon.co.uk!

Manufacturer: Big Finish Productions

Written By: David Llewellyn

RRP: £9.99 (CD) / £7.99 (Download)

Release Date: March 2017

Reviewed by: Dan Peters for Doctor Who Online

"Everyone’s a little worried about St Helen’s Hospital. In many ways it is a miracle of the modern NHS. It has plenty to offer its patients. The problem is that a lot of them keep dying of natural causes in the night. And no-one can find the bodies.

People are beginning to notice. Questions are being asked. And there are rumours – the strange whispering figures seen at the end of the corridors, the electrical buzzing, the screams.

Also, Rhys Williams has come to visit his mother. Brenda’s had her hip done and is looking forward to a bit of rest and regular crumble. Rhys and his mam are in for a night they’ll never forget."

Last year the double dozen Torchwood stories that Big Finish realised were met with great acclaim, with some even stating this is the best form of the spin-off yet.

Torchwood is back and we’re all ready. The new audio series starts this month with ‘Visiting Hours’, when a hospital’s dodgy menu is the least of a visitor’s worries...

It’s often the case that secondary characters get largely overshadowed in television series, even one of the calibre of Torchwood. The structure of these releases, focusing on individuals, allows for personalities and backgrounds to be effectively fleshed out. Although Rhys is more than a spare part throughout the TV episodes, it’s clear that other half Gwen wears the trousers in the relationship.

Here, the attention is pointed at Rhys (played by Kai Owen) and he’s given an opportunity to shine. It would have been easy for writer David Llewellyn to have him acting the clown, blundering his way through proceedings, but after his brushes with previous alien incursions, Rhys has learnt quite a bit. 

Torchwood, like Doctor Who, seems to flourish in circumstances where the extra-terrestrial meets the mundane. For all its spaceships, aliens and megalomaniacs bent on invasion, the ‘brand’ (especially since its reboot) is very strongly grounded. It cleverly  focuses on individuals and their everyday lives. Most of this tale is set within the walls of a Hospital. With Rhys visiting his mam, but it’s not long before things turn eerie.

The brilliant Nerys Hughes returns as (the comparatively less fanged-up) Brenda from ‘Torchwood: Something Borrowed’. She portrays the older mother vibe perfectly. Nerys and Kai have a believable ‘’mam’ and son relationship. Essentially this story is about family, exploring  how far people will go in protecting them.

Ironically, stars of ITV2’s Plebs, Karl Theobald and Ryan Sampson, play foreboding henchmen, pursuing our heroes. Uniquely, they have strong motives for their actions over and above that of their ‘employers’ After the climax of last year’s series, which brought to an end the villainous committee’s escapades, mutterings of a similarly mysterious force suggests a running plot. 

The one element of the story that for me unfortunately let it down, was that the plot’s resolution didn’t do it’s lead up justice. It felt a bit like a sonic screwdriver solution, and would have really benefited from a little more time to establish.

On the whole, this is an excellent release, which rattles along at pace. It expands the background of a much loved character, containing some heart-warming moments, against an eerie impending threat.

The writers seem to be keen to push the boundaries and dynamics further at this point in it’s audio run. Next month’s release: ’The Dollhouse’ centres itself around the institute’s branch of female fighters in LA.

+  ORDER this CD via Amazon.co.uk!

Awesome Writers, James Moran (Doctor Who, Torchwood, Cockney's Vs Zombies) & Cat Davies (Connie, KEEN-wah), have joined forces for a cool new Horror short about a man-eating shed, and they need YOUR help with their Kickstarter project!

About the project:

A dark and twisted laugh out loud comedy about a man’s love for his shed… that eats people. Brought to you by an established, award-winning team, prepare for the night of the living shed… Starring comedy icon Sally Phillips (Smack the Pony, Veep, Miranda, Green Wing, Bridget Jones) and award-winning actor Shaun Dooley (Gunpowder, Broadchurch, The Woman in Black, Misfits, The Awakening).

The project also features contributions from BAFTA-nominated Composer, Ben Foster (Doctor Who, Torchwood), and Illustrator Andy W. Clift - who worked on some of DWO's VortExtra episodes (you really should check out the AMAZING artwork he did for us for 'An Unearthly Child'!)

The project is less than £2,000 short of their £10,000 target, with just a few days to go, so please give whatever you can to help fund this AWESOME film!

Kickstarter Project Link:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jamesmoran/blood-shed-comedy-horror-short-about-a-man-eating

Project Promo Video:

[Source: Kickstarter]

Ever wanted to have breakfast with The Doctor? Now you can! In fact, now you can have breakfast with 7 Doctors...all at once - and it's all in the name of Comic Relief!

The Wolseley on Piccadilly will be hosting a landmark meal where, for the first time in the show's 54 year history, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, David Tennant, Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi will meet to break bread and talk TARDIS. Here, inside its hallowed hall, the meal of meals will take place. An epic event, a world first, and a legendary opportunity to witness history in the making. To join them on this remarkable morning, bid now, the highest bidders will be invited to take their seats at the table to join the seven Doctors for what is already considered the most historic breakfast in the history of television. Can you imagine the talk?

The meet and greet will take place between September 2017 and May 2018. Comic Relief will give you as much notice as possible once the date is confirmed.

There are two ways to enter; 1) Enter a bid in the online auction, where the current bidding stands at £10,000, or 2) Enter a Prize Draw, where the tickets cost just £5.

Auction:
https://www.givergy.com/listing/red-nose-day/breakfast-with-doctor-whos-2

Prize Draw:
https://www.givergy.com/listing/red-nose-day/breakfast-with-doctor-whos

[Source: Jordan Mitchell]

The BBC have released a new iconic image for Series 10 of Doctor Who, and have confirmed a new trailer will air Tonight!

The promo image features Bill Potts (Pearl Mackie), The Doctor (Peter Capaldi) and Nardole (Matt Lucas), escaping a burning city in the TARDIS.

A new 60-scond trailer will air Tonight on BBC One at half-time, during the FA Cup Quarter final match between Chelsea and Manchester United.

Finally, the title of Episode 1 of Series 10 has now been confirmed as 'The Pilot'.

+  Series 10 of Doctor Who airs from Saturday 15th April 2017.

[Source: BBC Worldwide]

   

Back in November we reported on the fantastic news that Who Dares Publishing - the legendary 1980's Doctor Who publishing company, was back and kicking things off with a fantastic calendar, featuring the artwork of acclaimed Doctor Whoa artist, Andrew Skilleter. Now in February of 2017, we are thrilled to be among the first to reveal that Who Dares Publishing are releasing a new series of exclusive, limited edition, Doctor Who collectable art portfolios.

The first portfolio features the artwork of Colin Howard, and comprises of six prints featuring the artwork from The Key To Time Doctor Who VHS covers. There will be just 50 of these limited edition portfolios, all signed and numbered, and costing just £59.95!

DWO were lucky enough to get our hands on one of the portfolios, and they are of an incredibly high quality. If you're anything like us, you'll remember seeing the videos in your local W.H. Smith's, Blockbuster Video or MVC, and the artwork really popped out.

So what do you get in the portfolio? Well, it's a white hardback folio, that opens up to reveal a compartment holding all 6 of the prints. There's also an accompanying booklet with information on Colin Howard, as well as a certificate of authenticity, and, last but not least, some 'Who Dares' printed gloves to handle the artwork - a nice little touch!

These prints are screaming out to be framed, and, if this portfolio is anything to be judged by, the future looks incredibly bright for Who Dares Publishing!

+  BUY 'The Key To Time Art By Colin Howard' Portfolio from Who Dares for £59.95.

[Source: Who Dares Publishing]

The BBC have aired a new trailer promoting Series 10 of Doctor Who.

The trailer, which is going by the title 'A Time For Heroes' (along with the #TimeForHeroes hashtag), harks back to one of the first trailers when Doctor Who came back in 2005. It's from Bill's (Pearl Mackie) perspective and offers a glimpse at some of the monsters and villains we can expect in the tenth series.

Watch the trailer in the player, below:
[youtube:Py5xXBREBRk]
+. Series 10 of Doctor Who airs on 15th April 2017.

[Source: BBC Worldwide]

T

The Tenth Doctor's TARDIS Console Room Playset is now available to buy via the Character Options online store.

Product Synopsis:
Motorised time Column with pulsating lights. Illuminated console with 6 control buttons. Removable floor panels & flip up console panel. 12 great sound and light FX.

+  The Tenth Doctor's TARDIS Console Room is Out Now, priced £49.99.
+  ORDER this toys directly from Character Options!
+  Discuss all the Doctor Who Toy releases in the DWO Forums.

[Source: Character Options]

Sydney Newman: Innovator, designer, director, and producer. In April it will be 100 years since Doctor Who's creator was born, but where exactly did the idea come from? How much of it came from him before Bunny Webber's famous memo which established the idea did the rounds?

In 2013, the BBC aired An Adventure In Time and Space; a dramatic reconstruction of the early days of Doctor Who, and Sydney was played by the excellent Brian Cox. It was a great portrayal of the man, and other founding members such as Verity Lambert, Waris Hussein, and Mervyn Pinfield, and was well received in Doctor Who's 50th year.

But in the very beginning it was touch-and-go for the real show, and Sydney's role was as an over-seer and advisor to Verity and her team in 1963.

Looking back after all of this time, and understanding Sydney wasn't entirely happy with how the series started off until it became a success, its easy to forget his role. Him creating such a phenomenon was no surprise, although people would have thought it unlikely of a children's show. He had already changed drama in Britain, and people's perception of culture with theArmchair Theatre series he produced as head of drama at ABC, before he moved into the same role at the BBC in 1962. The series showed for the first time people on the fringes of society such as unmarried mothers, drug-addicts, and the homeless, and regional accents were used. Plays like No Trams To Lime Street, and Cathy Come Home showed the face of changing Britain as it looked towards the future which didn't look very bright.

And the future is what Doctor Who was all about, although its original premise was to educate and teach children about history and science. One week an adventure would be set in the past, and the next it would be in the future, and that is where the ratings were at.

Sydney had always love science-fiction, but the basic idea for Doctor Who had been with him for at least ten years before it made it onto the screen.

His biography The Man Who Thought Outside The Box: The Life And Times Of Doctor Who Creator Sydney Newman, reveals lots of information about the worlds best-loved science-fiction show, and the man who created it. It is a must for all Doctor Who fans.

It is available to preorder now from digitalentropy@hotmail.com for £11.99 and will be released on April 22nd 2017.

+ Find out more at the Digital Entropy website: digitalentropy.co.uk 

[Source: Ryan Danes]

Manufacturer: Big Finish Productions

Written By: Cavan Scott & Mark Wright

RRP: £10.99 (CD) / £8.99 (Download)

Release Date: February 2017

Reviewed by: Steve Bartle for Doctor Who Online

"The TARDIS has landed in a war zone. The Doctor, Romana and K9 find themselves traipsing through an inhospitable battlefield. Strange lights flicker in the sky, and stranger creatures lurk in the darkness.

When rescued from an attack by a Sontaran tank, the time-travellers discover they’re facing a far more dangerous foe than the battle-hungry clones. This terrifying fight has been going on longer than anyone can remember… and shows no signs of stopping.

With the TARDIS missing and their luck running thin, the Doctor and his friends’ only hope of survival is to uncover the truth about what is happening on this planet. If they can discover the secret of the eternal battle they might just survive… but it might just mean the end of them all."

One of the aspects I have disliked intensely about the series since its return is its treatment of classic villains. The Cybermen have effectively become that “pathetic bunch of tin soldiers” that the Fourth Doctor chastised them about being so long, long ago. I was not particularly enamoured on the re-design of the Silurians or their overall return, either. Even the Daleks had a wobble in Victory Of The Daleks but the least said about that the better. 

I have a sense of trepidation about the Ice Warriors returning in the new series too as I felt the one monster threat in Cold Blood served them well but once they are an army? Who knows!

And then there are the Sontarans. One of my favourite villains from the classic series reduced to comedy foils time after time again. I didn’t mind Strax the first time around but the law of diminishing returns meant that the comedy wore thin and it just made me yearn for that particular race to return to their strangely honourable and war mongering selves of old. 

So in all honesty going into this one my hopes weren’t high. Could these be the Sontarans that waged a brutal war with the Rutans or will they reflect the more comedic variety of recent times?

Well the honest answer is neither really, here they are something a little different. Writers Mark Wright and Cavan Scott have been very clever in this story. In the midst of a very bleak environment, combatting an endless and futile war, they manage to humanise the Sontarans without weakening them from the original approach to this race in the seventies. 

Big Finish always manage to revisit a classic foe and put a different spin on them. The narrative tactic they adopt is to split up our TARDIS team, on this occasion the Fourth Doctor, Romana II and K-9, and pair them with two different Sontaran warriors who both are unusually open in reflecting on their respective roles in the ongoing battles. 

Which brings us to Dan Starkey. Dan of course is famous for playing the aforementioned Strax, the Paternoster Gang member who provides nearly all the light relief in the stories he has featured in. Here, with the exception of some vocal work by John Banks, Dan provides nearly all the Sontaran voices and in some scenes is actually talking to himself! Quite the feat!

Between them they manage to inject an impressive sense of pathos as we uncover what the Sontaran sense of honour truly means to them and it doesn’t necessarily translate to dying in battle as recent serials would have us believe. This race does not fear their ultimate end, but neither are they actively seeking it out. 

And what of the regulars? Well you would never expect nor receive less than a top notch performance from Lalla Ward and John Leeson and their on screen chemistry is easily replicated once again here. Tom Baker's’ love for doing these audios again shines through and he seems to be having enormous fun throughout, without going overboard. He gets the tone just right and is a shining beacon in what is, at times, a very bleak tale.

I am a big fan of what Jamie Robertson has done with the score of this one.  I adore the music of Season 18, and here he recaptures some of those synth infused moments perfectly. Interestingly The Beast of Kravenos was also set supposedly in Season 18 but the same approach to the music would have felt distinctly out of place in the Victorian setting. Here it is applied with careful consideration to enhance the right moments. 

Tales with a zombie theme have been done to death (ridiculously obvious gag) but here they are given an interesting spin. But although key to the story, as is the futility of war, these are merely the backdrop for the characterisation and interaction between the Sontarans, the humans (who are perhaps underserved within the relatively short running time) and the TARDIS team.

So essentially a character piece on a long established race, but one which has managed to make it so that, arguably the most one-dimensional of all the Doctor Who adversaries, can now be appreciated through new ears. 

+  ORDER this CD via Amazon.co.uk!

Relive the acclaimed first series of Doctor Who with this limited edition Blu-ray Steelbook, exclusive to Amazon.

Christopher Eccleston's Doctor is wise and funny, cheeky and brave. An alien and a loner (it's difficult keeping up with friends when your day job involves flitting through time and space), his detached logic gives him a vital edge when the world's in danger. But when it comes to human relationships, he can be found wanting. That's why he needs new assistant Rose. Rose is a shop-girl from the present day. From the moment they meet, the Doctor and Rose are soulmates. They understand and complement each other. As they travel together through time, encountering new adversaries, the Doctor shows her things beyond imagination. She starts out as an innocent, unfettered by worldly concerns. But she ends up an adventurer who, by the end of the series, can never go home again...

Includes the episodes: Rose, The End Of The World, The Unquiet Dead, Aliens Of London / World War Three, Dalek, The Long Game, Father's Day, The Empty Child / The Doctor Dances, Boom Town, Bad Wolf / The Parting Of The Ways.

Special Features:

-  BBC Breakfast interview with Christopher Eccleston
-  Destroying The Lair
-  Making Doctor Who with Russell T Davies
-  Walking The Dead
-  Laying Ghosts
-  Series Launch and Episode Trailers
-  Storyboard of Opening Trailer
-  Deconstructing Big Ben
-  On Set with Billie Piper
-  Mike Tucker’s Mocks of Balloons
-  Designing Doctor Who
-  The Adventures of Captain Jack
-  13 episodes of Doctor Who Confidential: Cutdown
-  13 audio commentaries featuring: Russell T. Davies, Billie Piper, John Barrowman, Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss, Annette Badland, Simon Callow, Julie Gardner, and many more.
-  Easter Egg 

+  The Doctor Who: Series 1 Blu-ray Steelbook is released on 20th March, priced £34.99.
+  PREORDER this Blu-ray Steelbook from Amazon.co.uk!
+  Discuss all the Doctor Who DVD & Blu-ray releases in the DWO Forums.

[Source: BBC Worldwide]

Manufacturer: Big Finish Productions

Writer: Phil Mulryne

RRP: £14.99 (CD) / £12.99 (Download)

Release Date: February 2017

Reviewed by: Steve Bartle for Doctor Who Online

"London, 1864 - where any gentleman befitting the title ‘gentleman’ belongs to a gentlemen’s club: The Reform, The Athenaeum, The Carlton, The Garrick… and, of course, The Contingency. Newly established in St James’, The Contingency has quickly become the most exclusive enclave in town. A refuge for men of politics, men of science, men of letters. A place to escape. A place to think. A place to be free.

The first rule of the Contingency is to behave like a gentleman. The second is to pay no heed to its oddly identical servants. Or to the horror in its cellars. Or to the existence of the secret gallery on its upper floor… Rules that the Doctor, Adric, Nyssa and Tegan are all about to break."

I grew up during the era of the crowded Tardis. Admittedly I was only age 5 but I have distinctly clear memories of a beleaguered Doctor trying to keep relative peace in his time machine with an ever growing bunch of stowaways and orphans joining him for adventures...with the added factor this eclectic bunch weren’t always necessarily happy to be there! Viewing the DVD range more recently you really appreciate what a job he had on his hands at times and one wonders why he continued to journey with them all, on occasions. At times the Fifth Doctor almost adopted the role of headmaster - something which he outright claims in this story!

However, despite the family style friction, this era of the show always gives me a warm fuzzy glow and saw a return to the episodic nature of the black and white days where stories sometimes bled into each other and references were made to previous adventures. Looking back through much more mature and critical eyes you can see where stories were creaking under the pressure of trying to cater for all these different principal characters, and there was an over-reliance on somewhat one-dimensional specific character tropes.

You might be concerned from the opening scenes that this tale veers between paying homage to this era or possibly regurgitating old material. The key protagonists are easily identifiable with their TV portrayals. Adric is somewhat annoying and antagonistic of Tegan, in this case regarding the primitive nature of a cassette player (which is a crucial item in the denouement). Check. Tegan is irascible and talks about Heathrow nonstop, as well as making generic references to flying. Check. Nyssa is...well Nyssa. Pragmatic and pleasant. Check. And of course Peter Davison effortlessly injects his usual breathless energy that always made his incarnation a hero in the truest form. Check. (Thank goodness!)

All four tend to bring out the argumentative side in each other, through constant chiding and witty barbs which too often on TV appeared somewhat childish at times. However, here writer Phil Mulryne has captured the flavour of the interaction of Season 19, but is more effective with the playful banter. This interplay immediately aids in casting the listener back to that time where Doctor Who was arguably more like a soap opera until its 2005 return, but without grating on your nerves.

What of the story itself? Well it’s a bit of a curio. Centred on the titular Contingency Club; an exclusive club in Victorian London where the gentlemen of the upper social strata gather to think, talk and, of course, drink. The clubs' popularity is such that membership is swelling and their restrictive policy for new members make it more appealingly exclusive. This club is the place to be.

The Tardis team, via unorthodox means, visit the club and, very early on, it becomes patently evident that something VERY strange is going on. The members of the club refuse to acknowledge that Tegan and Nyssa are women! The valets are all called Edward and are identical! Plus absolutely no one comments on the foursomes’ strange garments or their presence there at all.

And if all that wasn’t bizarre enough we have the mysterious club owner Mr Peabody and his even more mysterious benefactor, The Red Queen, who has an insidious reason for the club existing in the first place - all centred around a seemingly futile game.

There is some good comedy to be had in this one especially around the plurality of the ‘Edwards’! And surely “we’ll break our necks on the pavements of Pall Mall” might be one of the strangest cliff hanger statements ever! Ultimately this boils down to a gothic mystery in a Victorian Steampunk environment. Matthew Waterhouse, Sarah Sutton and Janet Fielding all effortlessly slip back into their roles and, unlike on TV, they are all served pretty well without any of them really being side-lined. But it’s Peter Davison whose star shines the brightest as he drives the narrative and perfectly recaptures every trait that made him a success. Sardonic wit, bravery, vulnerability and going full tilt in every scene. It’s all here!

Arguably the story is a little light weight in places but is a genuine attempt at something different, captures the TARDIS crew perfectly from the early eighties, and is a fun romp from start to finish.  Highly recommended. Want to listen? Join the club. 

+  ORDER this CD via Amazon.co.uk!

Doctor Who Magazine have sent DWO the cover and details for Issue 509 of DWM.

IN ISSUE 509, DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE LOOKS AHEAD TO THE NEW SERIES, AND INTERVIEWS RUFUS HOUND! 

In the latest edition, we chat to self-confessed Doctor Who fan Rufus Hound – Sam Swift the Quick in 2015’s The Woman Who Lived, and most recently the latest incarnation of the Meddling Monk for Big Finish – about how he enjoyed being part of something he personally loves so much…

"All my anxiety dissipated within the first two hours of arriving," says Rufus of his work on The Woman Who Lived. "I have never worked with a crew that was more like a family. I have never worked alongside actors who took the work seriously, but themselves not terribly seriously, as was true of Maisie [Williams] and Peter [Capaldi], who I spent most of my time with. The director [Ed Bazalgette] was tremendous, the producer [Derek Ritchie] was brilliant. Everybody in make-up and costume were having a right old laugh. All the camera crew and whatever were offering up shots and angles, being creative and given licence to be creative, licence to turn in their best work."

You can read the full interview inside the new magazine... 

ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE… 

ASK STEVEN!
Doctor Who's showrunner Steven Moffat answers readers’ burning questions.

INDEFINABLE MAGIC
We investigate the weird world of the supernatural in the Doctor Who universe...

DOOM COALITION 4
The Eighth Doctor, River Song, the Meddling Monk and the Weeping Angels all feature in the brand new audio box set Doom Coalition 4! We find out more…

RODNEY BENNETT TRIBUTE
DWM pays tribute to Rodney Bennett, the director who oversaw three very different productions during the early years of Tom Baker’s tenure as the Doctor.

DOORWAY TO HELL
The original Master is back! Find out what he's up to in Part Two of our brand-new comic strip, written by Mark Wright and illustrated by Staz Johnson.

THE MUTANTS
In this issue’s Fact of Fiction, the Third Doctor and Jo Grant are sent on a mission that will affect the evolution of an entire planet, as we take a look at this 1972 adventure.

THE IMPOSSIBLE ASTRONAUT
Space 1969 awaits for the Doctor, Amy, Rory and River Song as the Time Team reach the 2011 season-opener in their mission to watch every episode of Doctor Who.

REVIEWS
DWM reviews the latest book, audio and DVD releases in the world of Doctor Who.

COMING SOON
Previews of all the latest Doctor Who CD and book releases.

PLUS!
All the latest official news, competitions, the DWM crossword, and our annual survey poll!

+  Doctor Who Magazine Issue #509 is Out Now, priced £5.99.
+  SUBSCRIBE to Doctor Who Magazine, digitally from just £2.69 a month!
+  Check Out The DWO Guide to Doctor Who Magazine!

[Source: Doctor Who Magazine]

Manufacturer: Big Finish Productions

Writer: Justin Richards

RRP: £10.99 (CD) / £8.99 (Download)

Release Date: January 2017

Reviewed by: Steve Bartle for Doctor Who Online

"A stunning new star act is wowing the audiences of the New Regency Theatre. The modern mechanical marvel of canny canine charisma - the automated dog that can answer any question - the incomparable - the unbeatable - K9!

The Doctor and Romana have returned to Victorian London and been reunited with their old friends Professor George Litefoot and Henry Gordon Jago. However this is not merely a social visit. A terrifying crime spree is sweeping the capital, and the burglaries of 'The Knave' defy all logic.

Something impossibly dangerous is taking place amid the fog. Only the time travellers and their friends can stop it... but can they be sure they're all on the same side?

Cards on the table from the outset. I absolutely love Season 18; the complete shift in tone, the morose Doctor, the much discussed ‘funereal’ atmosphere that permeates throughout the season and the steady build to the demise of that most celebrated of Doctors. Plus I love the humour. Yes humour in Season 18! It is subtle for sure but a blessed relief after the over the top slapstick of the previous season which frequently flew wide of the mark with the notable exception of that wonderful escapade in Paris.

So I was somewhat surprised to hear this story supposedly takes place around Season 18, or perhaps just before JNT [1980's Producer, John Nathan-Turner] was handed the keys to the kingdom according to Director Nicholas Briggs on the CD extras. It definitely does not belong in Tom’s final season, his Doctor is far too jovial and having way too much fun for that. Nor does it belong in Season 17. Sure the Tardis team is the Fourth Doctor, Romana 2 and K-9 but with the exception of K9 becoming a comedic turn for Jagos’ New Regency Theatre there is none of the silliness of that season either. 

The plot is very simplistic but this is not a negative by any stretch. Not only is there danger roaming the street as a brutal murder by a savage creature has occurred but that cunningly criminal conniving cove The Knave is managing to obtain his quarry from inside locked rooms! There is a threat to defeat and a puzzle to solve. Doctor Holmes from Baker St is on the case!

For me this could be a direct sequel to The Talons of Weng-Chiang and the tone sits comfortably in that late Hinchcliffe and Holmes era albeit with different regulars. There are gothic undertones, body horror (the soundtrack conjuring up more imaginative pictures than television could ever be able to match) and a strong Jekyll and Hyde influence. There are also early hours visits to mortuary’s, travelling in black cabs, and trips to the theatre and opium dens. All that is missing is the great Li H’sen Chang himself!!

However the story stands on its own two feet perfectly well. To listen to the Doctor team with Jago and Litefoot is like lightening in a bottle has been captured once again. It is incredible to think that 40 years have passed since these gentleman helped create a classic and yet here are Messrs Baker, Benjamin and Baxter recreating the same repartee and genuine affection that ensured this ensemble captured our hearts so long ago. Justin Richards replicates Jago and Lightfoots language so perfectly and the interplay between them and the Tardis team further cements the lasting legacy of this greatest of Holmesian double acts. It is perhaps the fact that these two interact so well with the Fourth Doctor that leads me to feel Lalla Ward's Romana is a little side-lined in this tale. However her aloof and intellectual portrayal of the Time Lady gives an interesting contrast for Jago and Litefoot to interact with compared to the savage turned ladylike Eliza Doolittle character of Leela. 

John Leeson is superb as always as K-9 and the idea of him as one of Jagos acts is funny even if some of the gags fall a little flat. And the ‘electric current’ joke is so dreadful you have to laugh anyway.  The cast certainly do! The overall comedy however is a resounding success with laugh out loads moments such as a reference to K-9 and the butcher’s boy, Romana reading next week’s papers or Jago requesting a stiff drink at the end of the tale. Wonderful. 

The story is effectively two distinct parts with a whodunit style thriller framing the first instalment and a lengthy game of cat and mouse forming the second. For me the first half works better and there is much more of an aura of threat and mystery. The reveal of the Knave is not remotely surprising and the denouement of the whole story feels quite abrupt and a little anti-climactic- with effectively all the main cast sat around talking about it for a bit before we cut to the incidental sting. 

However these aspects cannot detract from a story which is such romping good fun. Tom Baker is absolutely throwing everything into this and his enjoyment of Big Finish shines through. To team him again with Jago and Litefoot is an absolute joy and everything you enjoyed about them the first time around is present once more. 

As Henry Gordon Jago himself might say; A delightful and disturbing dish of delectable drama for you to devour. 

+  ORDER this CD via Amazon.co.uk!

Capaldi first stepped into the TARDIS in 2013, and will leave the iconic role in the 2017 Christmas special after three incredible series of the BBC's global hit sci-fi drama.

He made the announcement on Jo Whiley's BBC Radio 2 show last night. Speaking about the upcoming series this spring, he exclusively revealed the next series of the world's longest running sci-fi show will be his last.

Peter Capaldi says:

"One of the greatest privileges of being Doctor Who is to see the world at its best. From our brilliant crew and creative team working for the best broadcaster on the planet, to the viewers and fans whose endless creativity, generosity and inclusiveness points to a brighter future ahead. I can’t thank everyone enough. It’s been cosmic."

Capaldi was unveiled to the nation as the Twelfth Doctor during a special live television event on BBC One. Peter's Time Lord has been much loved and critically acclaimed, with Series Nine featuring some of the best-reviewed performances and episodes of recent series. In particular, his anti-war speech in The Zygon Inversion, and his solo appearance in the one-hander, Heaven Sent, have been widely acclaimed as among the finest performances by anyone in the role of the Doctor.

Under his reign the show has expanded globally; he took the series on a world tour and has drawn record ratings in BBC America, Canada, and Latin America. The highly anticipated 10th series returns to screens on Easter Saturday after a year's break.

Peter Capaldi's final series also marks writer and executive producer Steven Moffat's last, so promises to be unmissable event television.

Steven Moffat, writer and executive producer, says:

“For years before I ever imagined being involved in Doctor Who, or had ever met the man, I wanted to work with Peter Capaldi. I could not have imagined that one day we’d be standing on the TARDIS together. Like Peter, I’m facing up to leaving the best job I’ll ever have, but knowing I do so in the company of the best, and kindest and cleverest of men, makes the saddest of endings a little sweeter. But hey, it’s a long way from over. Peters’ amazing, fiery, turbulent Doctor is still fighting the good fight, and his greatest adventures are yet to come. Monsters of the universe, be on your guard - Capaldi’s not done with you yet!”

Peter will be joined in Series 10 by new companion Pearl Mackie (Bill), and Matt Lucas (Nardole) with guest appearances to come from David Suchet and Michelle Gomez. He has starred alongside Jenna Coleman as his companion Clara Oswald, Alex Kingston as River Song, Ingrid Oliver as Osgood, as well as Keeley Hawes, Tom Riley, Frank Skinner, Maisie Williams, Joivan Wade and many more. Peter's Doctor has fought Daleks and Davros, Cybermen, Zygons, new monsters like the Veil and old foes the Time Lords.

Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, says:

"Peter Capaldi will always be a very special Doctor to me; his adventures through time and space started just as I arrived on BBC One. He has been a tremendous Doctor who has brought his own unique wisdom and charisma to the role. But, it's not over yet - I know the next series is going to be spectacular. He's a fine actor who I hope we work with again when he leaves the TARDIS".

Brian Minchin, Executive Producer says:

"Peter Capaldi is an extraordinary Doctor and has taken the show to amazing places. Although I'm sad he has decided to move on in 2018 I'm delighted that we have one final series with Peter Capaldi and Steven Moffat. I know what they're planning and it's going to be incredible."

Capaldi will return in the next series for 12 episodes, followed by the Christmas Special when the regeneration will take place.

On a personal note, we have enjoyed every second of Capaldi's time as The Doctor. Whilst we believe he has been a little bit messed around with, as far as the time slot goes, the quality of his performance and the majority of the stories he has appeared in, have been of a high quality.

I remember back to December of 2013, when both myself and Cameron (previous owner of Blogtor Who) were filming a short Christmas sketch (The Embargo Of The Doctor) for the DWO YouTube channel. As we wrapped up filming, we were about to go our separate ways, when Cameron leaned over to me in the middle of Leicester Square and said "that's Peter Capaldi!". I turned around and to my disbelief, there he was. We followed him whilst asking each other if we should say hello - so we did! Peter then suggested we move to one of the quieter alleyways, where he kindly gave his time to record a greeting for each of us (below).

At this point, all we had seen of Peter's Doctor on-screen was pretty much just a pair of eyebrows, but from the 10 minutes he gave us, it was evident that not only would he make a fantastic Doctor, but that this was a true gentleman. Peter, you shall be missed!

- Sebastian J. Brook [DWO Site Editor]
[youtube:YdKFnh-fzKI]

+ Series 10 of Doctor Who airs on Saturday 15th April 2017.

It is with deepest regret that DWO announces the passing of New Series Actor, Sir John Hurt.

John played the role of The War Doctor in Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary episode, The Day Of The Doctor. The War Doctor was an incarnation of The Doctor who existed between The 8th Doctor and the 9th Doctor - one who was 'forgotten' due to his decision to end the Time War, "without choice [...] in the name of peace and sanity". John made the part his own, cementing himself as a memorable (albeit brief) Doctor, and one the fans took to their hearts.

It is our view that we were incredibly lucky to have John as part of Doctor Who. His part was indeed memorable and will be remembered in the highest regard. 

John's other career highlights include; Harry Potter, Alien, 1984, The Gruffalo, Watership Down and Hellboy (to name just a few).

DWO would like to extend our sympathies to Johns family and friends.

[Source: DWO]

It is with deepest regret that DWO announces the passing of Classic Series Doctor Who Director, Rodney Bennett.

Rodney directed the 4th Doctor stories; The Ark In Space, The Sontaran Experiment & The Masque Of Mandragora. As an in-joke reference, the 4th Doctor mentions the "Bennett oscillator" in Episode One of The Ark In Space.

Rodney's other career highlights include directing credits for; The Darling Buds Of May, Z Cars, Tales Of The Unexpected and Soldier Soldier (to name just a few).

DWO would like to extend our sympathies to Rodney's family and friends.

Comedian, Actor and Writer, Toby Hadoke has put together a more in-depth obituary on his blog. You can also watch Toby's 'In Memoriam' video for the Doctor Who personalities we lost in 2016.

[Sources: Toby Hadoke; DWO]

Doctor Who Magazine have sent DWO the cover and details for Issue 508 of DWM.

In Issue 508, Doctor Who Magazine turns back time to the show’s grooviest decade - the 1970’s!

In this special issue, we brought together Jo Grant actress Katy Manning with one of her biggest fans, Doctor Who writer and actor Mark Gatiss. Mark remembers the first time he saw Katy on screen in her début adventure, 1971's Terror of the Autons…

Mark: “I remember it as if it were yesterday. I have very, very particular memories of those first few stories. I was so frightened of that little troll doll –”

Katy: “It’s still pretty ghastly. (Shudders) It had pointed teeth, and the way it walked –”

Mark: “I was four years old. Your early memories tend to be either something amazing, or something very traumatic. Usually traumatic.”

Katy: “But it was an extraordinary episode. I loved it as an introduction, because Jo was quite different. She was just ordinary, really. She had no special talents. You watch Jo, literally straight out of school, saying, ‘I didn’t say I passed,’ [in response to the Doctor’s ‘I thought you took an A-level in Science?’] – which I thought was a great line to give anybody!”

Mark: “It’s absolutely true to say that everybody has their Doctor and their time, and I just can’t remember there not being a time when Jon and Katy were it for me. I revisit them often, especially in trouble times – or on wintery afternoons. Like I did the other day. ‘Ooh, I think I might have a glass of sherry and a mince pie, and watch Planet of the Daleks, because it’ll make me feel good.’ I know I sound like I’m about a hundred years old –”

Katy: “Leave that to me. (Laughs) But she was very young, Jo, which was so lucky, because I got to grow up. The writers were very clever. They saw I was growing up, so Jo grew up with me.”

Mark: “And I grew up with Jo.”

You can read the full interview inside the new magazine...

ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE…

A FREE Doctor Who comic, *Sub Zero, featuring the Third Doctor and the Daleks, originally presented in 1972!

+  Doctor Who Magazine Issue #508 is Out Now, priced £5.99.
+  Check Out The DWO Guide to Doctor Who Magazine!

[Source: Doctor Who Magazine]

The final BARB viewing figures are in for 10.X2: The Return Of Doctor Mysterio.

The episode achieved a final rating of 7.83m viewers - a shift of +2.1m.

The figures include recordings of the episodes within 7 days of transmission, but not BBC iPlayer viewings and downloads.

Overnight Rating:
5.68m / 27.1% audience share.

AI Score:
82

Time Shift:
+2.1m 

+  What did you think of the episode? Rate / Discuss in the DWO Forums!

[Source: DWO]

There are loads of fantastic Doctor Who podcasts on the internet, but we found one in particular that deserves a big shout out; MarkWHO42 (formerly known as MarkWHO42's WHOniverse).

They are an online radio show as well as podcast and cover Doctor Who news, reviews, and interviews, and have also started to branch out into other genre topics as well... but it's Doctor Who they are in love with. The show is hosted by Mark Baumgarten (who also edits, produces, and directs the show), Christian Basel (the creator of The Legend of the Traveling TARDIS), Patty Hawkins (the founding member of Geeks of Comedy and a self proclaimed Geek Theorist as well), and Iggy Mathews (of Let's Be Reelz). The show has a website where they also have news, Big Finish audio reviews, and host their show. You can find it at www.markwho42.net.

Besides doing a show, they also appear at conventions all around the United States, hosting panels, and moderating guest Q&As. They also have regular day jobs but still manage to do a new show almost every week of the year. MarkWHO42 has been around for over 4 years now, with over 160 shows available on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, TuneIn, and many other podcast platforms... they even have a Roku channel. Big shoes to fill, but they do it!

DWO interviewed MarkWHO42 showrunner Mark Baumgarten and asked him a few questions:

Who... or what are you?

"MarkWHO42 is an online radio show and podcast as well. We started primarily as a show about Doctor Who. And it still is. But last year, we made a conscious decision to go "beyond the WHOniverse." It seems you cannot talk about Doctor WHO without its influence in other medias. You can see little things appear such as in the Simpsons, Leverage, South Park, so many other shows. And now with other actors leaving to do other shows and movies. Doctor WHO's influence stretches far beyond its roots."

Do you guys cover classic or new Who?

"We think of Doctor Who as one show spanning 53+ years on one medium or another, so we cover both. Since we review the episodes as they come out, we are new Who, I guess. But our interviews and discussions have been Classic Who-based a lot of the time. So in answer to your question: YES!"

So what's the difference between you & everybody else?

"Our chemistry. We have had several hosting teams since we began, and all of them worked, in my opinion. Some of the hosts are die-hard fans from the 70's. Some have been newbies starting with the new series and have since gone back to watch the classics. We all have different opinions and are not afraid to give them. So we are definitely well-rounded.

Also, while most Doctor Who podcasts are a bunch of fans just talking about Who, we bring celebrity interviews into the mix. We have had 4 classic Doctors (Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, and Paul McGann) on the show as well as Doctor Who writers (Richard Dinnick, Robert Shearman, Andrew Cartmel,...) and actors (Katy Manning, Louise Jameson, Daphne Ashbrook, Yee Jee Tso, Michael Jayston, and many more). Plus by going Beyond the WHOniverse, we have had other celebs like Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Chase Masterson, Michael Winslow, and just recently Duke Nukem himself Jon St. John to name a few. We have brought over 80 guests to our audience so far, and we are not stopping there."

What's your one big claim to fame?

"Having Katy Manning on her first ever podcast... that's right, you heard me! We were the first online show by fans that she ever agreed to and participated in.

If I got a second chance to answer that question, I would probably say that being the Doctor Who radio show on Krypton Radio airing 4 times a week would be right up there too. You can find them at www.kryptonradio.com for showtimes in your area."

Why THAT name?

"I've given a different answer to this question over the years including that it was my email address (which it was) but really it comes from my name Mark, the show title Doctor "WHO", and The Ultimate Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything (DnA's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is one of the funniest books ever written). So Mark + Who + 42 or as we write it: MarkWHO42!"

Don't just take our word for it, check out MarkWHO42 for yourselves. They have a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/markwho42lives , a Tumblr page: www.markwho42.tumblr.com and you can tweet them at @markwho42

Or just go to www.markwho42.net and join the WHOniverse Army... We did!

[Source: MarkWHO42]

Our friends Cheesy Christmas Jumpers are now stocking a range of Official Licensed TV, Film and Gaming Christmas Jumpers alongside their popular Light-up and Knitted Jumpers.

The knitted Doctor Who Cyberman Christmas Jumper is just one of the jumpers on offer and with limited numbers available you’ll need to be quick to secure your size in time for Christmas.

Cheesy Christmas Jumpers are a UK based brand and supplier of festive wear since 2009. They are specialists in light up jumpers, bright coloured knits and Christmas jumpers which stretch the boundaries of what is normally publically acceptable to wear. 

Doctor Who Online visitors can also get 10% off their order with discount code: DRCHEESY

[Source: Cheesy Christmas Jumpers]

In a first for a UK television programme the new BBC Worldwide animated version of Doctor Who: The Power Of The Daleks is to be premiered live and exclusively on Twitter via Periscope at 17:50pm on Saturday 5^th November, 50 years to the minute after the original version of the programme was first transmitted on BBC One in 1966.

Fans around the world will be able to watch an exclusive live streaming of the first three minutes of the first episode of the new animation on the @BBCStore Twitter account at 17:50pm this Saturday and UK residents will also be able to purchase all six episodes of the animation from www.bbcstore.com and on DVD from Monday 21^st November.

Doctor Who: The Power Of The Daleks is one of the Doctor’s most celebrated adventures but the original tapes were destroyed and no copies exist.

In September this year BBC Worldwide announced a brand new black and white animation based on audio recordings of the programme using the original cast, surviving photographs and film clips which will be released 50 years to the minute after its only UK broadcast on BBC One.

The six half hour episodes feature the regeneration, or as it was then called ‘renewal’, of First Doctor William Hartnell into Second Doctor Patrick Troughton, as the Time Lord and his companions Polly (Anneke Wills) and Ben (Michael Craze) do battle with the Daleks on the planet Vulcan.

Doctor Who: The Power of the Daleks is being produced by the team behind the highly successful animation of lost Dad’s Army episode A Stripe For Frazer, first released on BBC Store in February this year. The producer and director is Charles Norton, with character designs from acclaimed comic book artists Martin Geraghty and Adrian Salmon.

Jonathan Green, Director, BBC Store says:

“BBC Store is proud to be working with Twitter to bring fans this UK first. This episode broke the mould with the recasting of the Doctor and it’s still thrilling audiences in new ways today.”

Rhidian Bragg, Head of Sales, Consumer Products, BBC Worldwide says:

“We’re really excited to be able to bring fans a Doctor Who adventure that they thought they’d never see. The animation looks amazing and is a fantastic addition to our catalogue of classic Doctor Who titles.”

Georgina Parnell, Head of Entertainment Partnerships, Twitter said:

“Doctor Who is a global phenomenon and by broadcasting The Power of the Daleks live on Periscope, fans from across the world will - for the first time - be able to join together and watch it at the same moment, exactly 50 years to the minute since the very first episode aired in 1966. Even the Doctor couldn't have predicted that...could he?!”

+  The Power Of The Daleks is released on 15th November (DVD), priced £20.42.
+  PREORDER The Power Of The Daleks DVD from Amazon.co.uk for just £13.50!
+  Discuss all the Doctor Who DVD releases in the DWO Forums.

[Source: BBC Worldwide]

Over the years there have been a few individuals who have helped formulate the Doctor Who Online you see before you today. One of those people (and we're sure he'd be surprised to learn of this) is Doctor Who fan, author and publisher, David J. Howe. At a Doctor Who Appreciation Society event, back in the early days of our online journey, David gave us some sage advice about cutting our own path and being original with the site. For too long we had followed too closely in the footsteps of Outpost Gallfrey and tried to emulate their style, and it was David who kindly set us on the right path and helped us carve our own direction.

David J. Howe is a name that most Doctor Who fans worth their salt, will know - and those who do not, really should! He has authored and co-authored some of the best factual Doctor Who books in many a fans collection. Titles such as The Sixties, The Seventies, The Eighties - not to mention the Handbooks and the Transcendental Toybox books, have all been a companion to this site, as well as important reference points.

What David doesn't know about Doctor Who merchandise isn't worth knowing, and with the recent news that he plans to open a merchandise museum, showcasing his lifetime's collection, we were incredibly excited. The whole operation needs your help though - the fans! David, and his lovely wife Sam, have started an Indiegogo campaign to raise the £30,000+ needed to open the museum. Fans can help from as little as £1 and there are some truly fantastic perks, ranging from getting a shout out from the man himself, to having Dinner with Chase Masterson or Frazer Hines!

To give you an idea of how popular the campaign has been, its only been live for 48 hours and has already accumulated £2000+ of donations, and we want you to help them smash their target, so please donate whatever you can afford and in the Summer of 2018 we can all be rewarded with an incredibly exciting museum experience!

+  SUPPORT The Doctor Who Merchandise Museum Indiegogo Campaign!

+  BUY some fantastic Doctor Who books from Telos Publishing. 

[Source: Doctor Who Online]

Who Dares Publishing is the legendary Doctor Who Artist Andrew Skilleter and Matthew Doe; one of the UK's latest and leading Doctor Who memorabilia experts, an entrepreneur solely in the field of Doctor Who. It was Matthew who had the inspired idea of bringing together their skill sets and relaunching Andrew’s legendary 1980s publishing company, Who Dares, beginning with the first ever Target Art Calendar featuring a selection of Andrew’s cover paintings. During 2017, Who Dares intends to launch a number of high quality art based projects of distinction.

Who Dares Publishing (often referred to as simply Who Dares) was set up by Andrew Skilleter to produce a range of high quality print based merchandise, setting new standards for printed Doctor Who merchandise based on his new artwork, that included poster prints, artcards, bookmarks and the official Doctor Who calendars for 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1989.

The name Who Dares was inspired by bringing together his connection with Doctor Who and his affection and knowledge about the classic British space comic strip hero, Dan Dare.

Andrew Skilleter was providing cover art for the W H Allen Target imprint at the time and realising they had no plans to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of Doctor Who series with any art based projects, he approached Doctor Who producer John Nathan-Turner. JNT was aware of his work, having approved all the covers for Target Books. This led to meetings with BBC Merchandising who initially licensed a series of A3 size new series poster prints.

The first prints featured Omega from Arc of Infinity and the Cybermen from Earthshock. Prepared in time for the twentieth anniversary event at Longleat House, two thousand were sold. Further prints followed including The Master, Sontarans, K9, Davros and the Daleks, Sea Devils, The Sixth Doctor and The Fourth Doctor. These sold in their thousands in the States.

The license to produce Doctor Who calendars in the USA had lapsed and Who Dares picked it up. The complexity of multiple copyright ownership of characters limited the choice of subjects to be painted and featured in the calendars. The first in 1986 was a showcase for Andrew Skilleter's work and sold 20,000 copies in the USA alone. While not illustrated by Andrew Skilleter, Who Dares initiated the publication of two other books of interest to him — The Man Who Drew Tomorrow, a look at the work of Dan Dare creator and artist Frank Hampson, and Timeview, the complete collection of the Radio Times Doctor Who illustrations by Frank Bellamy.

The last and best known book title published by Who Dares was the hardback Doctor Who: Cybermen, a collaboration with David Banks and Adrian Rigelsford, with a foreword by Gerry Davis. It was later published by Virgin Publishing as a paperback.

As mentioned, the first product to be released by Who Dares is 'The Andrew Skilleter Target Art Calendar 2017', for which we have the product synopsis and purchasing link, below:

The Andrew Skilleter Target Art Calendar is a large format A3 size with generous image area, wiro-bound in white and printed on heavy weight 250gsm satin paper with heavy weight front and back covers. Each is despatched in a substantial full board envelope with stiffener to ensure safe delivery.

Featuring: Warriors of the Deep, The Invasion, The Twin Dilemma (unpublished version), The Mind of Evil, Frontios, Nightmare of Eden, The Gunfighters, The Two Doctors, Logopolis, The Daemons, An Unearthly Child and The Abominable Snowmen.

+  BUY 'The Andrew Skilleter Target Art Calendar' from Who Dares for £19.95.
+  BUY a wide range of prints from Andrew Skilleter via his Etsy store!

[Source: Who Dares Publishing]

BBC DVD have sent DWO the DVD cover and details for the upcoming 2nd Doctor release of 'The Power Of The Daleks'.

Product Synopsis:

50 years after its only UK broadcast on BBC One, one of Doctor Who’s most celebrated, lost adventures is regenerated, with a brand new hand-drawn black and white animation, synchronised with a digitally remastered recording of the original 1966 audio. The six-part adventure takes place immediately after the first regeneration, as the Time Lord and his companions, Polly (Anneke Wills) and Ben (Michael Craze), do battle with an old foe on the mysterious planet Vulcan. How will Polly and Ben cope with a new Doctor? How will the Doctor take to his new body? And how will they ever overcome the power of the Daleks?

Special Features:

Alternate soundtracks – DVD only
The option to listen to the story with a series of completely new digital re-masters of the original soundtrack – a stereo mix; a 5.1 surround sound mix and version of the original 1966 mono sound mix.

Animation Test Footage
A compilation of animation tests, created during the production of the new animated series. 

Audio Commentaries on all 6 episodes – DVD only
Members of the original cast and crew are joined by members of the new animation unit to discuss the production of the story and its new animated reconstruction. Moderated by Toby Hadoke. Includes archive audio.

Booklet with Production Notes – DVD only
An extensively researched set of production notes, written by the noted television historian Andrew Pixley, covering the behind the scenes story of how the original production was made. 

Original Camera Scripts – DVD only
Selected items of original production paperwork and a complete set of original camera scripts.

Original Title Sequence - new restoration
An unedited presentation of the full original 'Doctor Who' title sequence, prepared using an all new HD re-master of the original film elements.

The Power of the Daleks Animation and Photo Gallery
An extended gallery of images, featuring production photographs from the original 1966 series and artwork from the latest animated production, accompanied by incidental music from the story, which has been digitally re-mastered from the original music production tapes.

The Power of the Daleks Surviving Footage & Original Trailer – BBC Store/EST only
A compilation of short film fragments and clips from the original 1966 BBC television production - the only surviving footage to remain of the show's original BBC1 run.

Original Dalek Voice Session Recording (1966) DVD only
Rare and previously unreleased sections from the studio recordings that were made at Maida Vale Studios in 1966 for the Dalek voices.

Servants and Masters - The Making of The Power of the Daleks
A specially prepared documentary directed by John Kelly and featuring interviews with members of the original 1966 cast and crew. 

Telesnap reconstruction.
Around 400 individual still frames of film exist from the original 1966 television production of The Power of the Daleks. These images were kept in the programme's production files by the BBC Written Archive Centre. These images are here combined with the programme's soundtrack to present a photographic reconstruction of the original programme.

+  The Power Of The Daleks is released on 15th November (DVD), priced £20.42.
+  PREORDER The Power Of The Daleks DVD from Amazon.co.uk for just £13.50!
+  Discuss all the Doctor Who DVD releases in the DWO Forums.

[Source: BBC Worldwide]

DWO recently caught up with Doctor Who Missing Episode hunter, Philip Morris - responsible for the discoveries of The Web Of Fear & The Enemy Of The World, 3 years ago. Read the DWO interview, below:

It has been 3 years since the official announcement of your fantastic discovery of nine missing episodes of Doctor Who. How happy were you with the finished, packaged product released by BBC DVD and how likely do you feel it is that the last missing episode from The Web Of Fear will be found?

Very happy with the job BBC Worldwide did on restoration, packaging, artwork. You have to remember, back then BBC Worldwide did not really know how these lost stories would be received - basically, how successful. Web 3 will surface, I will make sure it does! I never give up and never give in!

Which single discovery has brought you the most satisfaction in all your years of hunting?

The single best discovery is still ahead of me. Definitely!

Have you read all the theories on the now famous ‘Omnirumour’ and what are you thoughts on it all?

The famous omnirumour! I have seen some of the strange theories, but it’s nothing new. Rumours always surround Doctor Who - it’s always ‘my mate who has an uncle’, that sort of thing. Never any solid facts to back it up, so I haven’t read all the theories, really, I stick with the hard facts. However, I will say the truth is stranger than fiction and my best advice… believe it when you see it!

There has been some chatter about more potential discoveries. Is the wind still blowing in the right direction and can we hope to have more episodes returned in the near future?

There will always be chatter about wishing our favourite shows back into existence. It’s nice to discuss, however, the truth is it takes a lot of really hard work - which I enjoy, I really do. I really believe in what I do and the work TIEA does, however, there is hope, of course.

If you could take a round trip in the TARDIS, anywhere in time and space, where would you go and why?

A trip in the TARDIS... where would I go… probably back to were I could record every missing show possible in UK history and bring it all back so we can all enjoy our rich heritage.

Many thanks, Phil!

Thank you! …we will return.

[Source: Doctor Who Online]

Puffin Books (a division of Penguin Random House Children’s Books UK), BBC Worldwide and Sanrio Global Ltd are delighted to announce a new partnership.  

Doctor Who meets The World of Hargreaves brings to life Doctor Who characters in the distinctive story-telling and illustrative style of Roger Hargreaves.

Puffin Books, will publish these stories in the UK.  Penguin Young Readers, a division of Penguin Random House is master publisher and will release twelve titles, one for each Doctor. 

These storybook mash-ups, written and illustrated by Adam Hargreaves, combine the iconic storytelling of Doctor Who with the whimsical humor and design made famous by his father, Roger Hargreaves. The first four books will be available in Spring 2017.

Francesca Dow, MD of Penguin Random House Children’s Books, said:

“As the global publisher of Doctor Who and champions of books which push creative boundaries, we are delighted to be publishing such unique and fun stories. We're confident and excited they will appeal to the thousands of Doctor Who and Mr Men fans around the world”

Jan Paterson, Head of Book and Audio Publishing, BBC Worldwide commented:

“We are thrilled to be teaming up with Sanrio on this fantastic project and think that fans will love these creative incarnations of the Doctor reimagined in the ‘Hargreaves’ style. We’re always looking for innovative ways to engage our fans so this is the perfect partnership for us.”

Alastair McHarrie, Licensing Director of Sanrio Global Ltd added:

“There is a wealth of unofficial fan-created content online. We wanted to give something back to these supporters so we’ve created the first official Hargreaves mash-up. Who better to partner with than another classic British property, Doctor Who. We couldn’t be more excited.”

Francesco Sedita, President and Publisher of Price Stern Sloan, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers, added:

“It is such a special moment for us to unite these two great properties. Our books bring Hargreaves’ wonderful, fun style to the mysterious, magical world of Doctor Who. I know we're going to delight fans of all ages!”

+  Follow @PuffinBooks on Twitter!
+  Follow @DrWhoOnline on Twitter!

[Source: Penguin Random House]