The BBC have released the third official promotional image from this year's Doctor Who Christmas Special, The Doctor, The Widow and The Wardrobe.

The image [pictured right] shows The Doctor (Matt Smith) with his trusty Sonic Screwdriver against a snowy backdrop.

Synopsis:

It’s Christmas Eve, 1938, when Madge Arwell comes to the aid of an injured Spaceman Angel as she cycles home, in this year’s Doctor Who Christmas Special, starring Matt Smith as the Doctor.

He promises to repay her kindness – all she has to do is make a wish.

Three years later, a devastated Madge escapes war-torn London with her two children for a dilapidated house in Dorset. She is crippled with grief at the news her husband has been lost over the channel, but determined to give Lily and Cyril the best Christmas ever.

The Arwells are surprised to be greeted by a madcap caretaker whose mysterious Christmas gift leads them into a magical wintry world. Here, Madge will learn how to be braver than she ever thought possible. And that wishes can come true...

+  The Doctor, The Widow and The Wardrobe airs on Christmas Day, Time TBC on BBC One.

[Source: BBC]

The BBC have released the second official promotional image from this year's Doctor Who Christmas Special, The Doctor, The Widow and The Wardrobe.

The image [pictured right] shows The Doctor (Matt Smith) and Lily (Holly Earl) in a snow-laiden forest.

Synopsis:

It’s Christmas Eve, 1938, when Madge Arwell comes to the aid of an injured Spaceman Angel as she cycles home, in this year’s Doctor Who Christmas Special, starring Matt Smith as the Doctor.

+  The Doctor, The Widow and The Wardrobe airs on Christmas Day, Time TBC on BBC One.

[Source: BBC]

The Doctor Who team are planning on streaming a live Q&A session from the Series 6 Box-set signing taking place today at Westfield Stratford City with Matt Smith, Karen Gillian and Arthur Darvill in conversation with Jo Whiley between 4:00pm and 4:30pm.

The team will be taking over the BBC Worldwide YouTube Channel with a Doctor Who Skin at www.youtube.com/bbcworldwide from 4pm GMT, giving fans the chance to take part in the chat on the right hand side of the page.

[youtube:USsOcO3wvoI]

[Source: BBC Worldwide]

Last night saw the Doctor Who Christmas Special Preview Trailer, and a slightly nude Matt Smith as part of Children In Need's evening of fundraising programming...It also saw the end of DWO's very own Children In Need Doctor Who eBay auction, with 100% of the proceeds going to CIN.

We had hoped that we would reach our target of £500+, but in the last 20 minutes, were blown away by some last minute bids which saw our final total rocket to a staggering £1070 - more than double what we had initally hoped for!

So a big congratulations to eBay member 'Bow-Peep', a.k.a Katy Payne, who generously gave to the Children In Need cause, and eventually won our Doctor Who eBay auction, which included a poster signed by David Tennant, a First Day Cover from 1999, a 2012 Doctor Who Calendar, The Brilliant Book of Doctor Who 2012, 2 x 2in1 Doctor Who books, The Silent Stars Go By book, Companions And Allies book, Series 6: Part 1 DVD, 1st ever issue of SFX Magazine, Doctor Who 'Inferno' audiobook, and last (but by no means least) a DWO Flyer!

We hope to update this news item shortly with a short interview with Katy, our auction winner - watch this space!

DWO Editor, Sebastian J. Brook had the following to say on last night's auction:

"Last night was truly one of the proudest moments in the entire 16 years of DWO's history. We had a busy 3 days tirelessly promoting our charity auction on DWO, Twitter and Facebook, and it has been amazing to see so many areas of fandom pulling together to help such a worthy cause."

"I'm not ashamed to say I was wiping the tears away when I saw us not only beat our target - but double it, and then some! Even if you didn't win or even bid on our auction, every single person who helped promote it is responsible for that fantastic final figure. Thank You!"

As promised, DWO also wish to thank the following people who helped us in promoting the auction. We have tried to include as many of you as possible (and as traceable), so please forgive us if you are not mentioned below:

Websites, Podcasts & Magazines:

The Doctor Who Appreciation Society, The Doctor Who News Page, Kasterborous, BlogtorWho, Den Of Geek, Forbidden Planet International, SciFiNow, Doctor Who and the TARDIS by Craig Hurle, The Doctor Who Site, Companions of The Doctor, TalkingWho, Capricorn One & ThoseVideoGuys.

Celebrity Retweeters:

Russell Tovey (Midshipman Frame in Doctor Who), Andrew Hayden-Smith (Jake Simmonds in Doctor Who), Rufus Hound (Comedian), James Moran (Doctor Who & Torchwood Writer), Paul Cornell (Doctor Who Author), Steve Hughes (New Series Director), Tony Lee (Doctor Who Comic Author), Paul Bradford (Tech Manager for Ghost Hunters International),

Other DWO Twitter Followers:

@aastrid, @adriwadri, @AlexiHampson, @ats2040, @AustinMe, @CartoonBeardy, @CliffChapman, 
@CrowHawk, @dailyanglofile, @DavidKeep1964, @Doctor_No1, @dragonfall05, @DWF2006, @elad_eiram, @Galadriel1010, @HarryHayfield, @IanOTimelord, @ItsMiaBro, @JasonOnion, @jldomini, @Kirstie_Nash, @KneelDowne, @LadyBugLass, @linerlovers, @MellorCarolyn, @MerseyMal, @Mouse_Mallow, @nwgayboyuk, @OneGirlGeek, @Rdkil, @robynschneider, @SimonGA, @SirRoundSound, @SteamPiffler, @Stoogie, @THEDeanBatch, @ullemon, @Waltmouse, @Wolfie_Rankin, @xenelle, @XenRaiha, @zort70.

+  You can still donate to Children In Need here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/donate/.

[Source: DWO]

The BBC have unveiled the title and trailer for the 2011 Doctor Who Christmas Special.

The title, which was announced during Tonight's Children In Need campaign on BBC, was finally revealed as: The Doctor, The Widow and The Wardrobe.

View the trailer below:

+  The Doctor, The Widow and The Wardrobe will air on BBC One on Christmas Day, Time TBC.

[Source: BBC]

The BBC have released the first official image from this year's Doctor Who Christmas Special.

The image [pictured right] shows The Doctor running down a fiery circular corridor, pointing his Sonic Screwdriver.

The as-yet untitled special will air on Christmas Day, with the exact time to be confirmed. Various rumours suggest the title may link in with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. 'The Lion, The Witch and The TARDIS' is a possible contender, but as always, nothing is official until confirmed by the BBC.

[Source: BBC]

This BBC have released more details for tomorrow's Doctor Who additions to BBC One's Children In Need television appeal.

Fans of the Doctor should tune into Children in Need on Friday night on BBC One.

There'll be a sneak peak of the Christmas Special plus a brief treat for anyone who can't wait until December to catch up with our favourite Time Lord! Written by Steven Moffat and starring Matt Smith as the Doctor, the Children in Need exclusive represents a first in the history of Doctor Who... But we'll tell you more about that nearer the end of the week!

The entire Doctor Who team has been an enthusiastic supporter of Children in Need for decades and over the years the big night has involved everything from clips to cast appearances. You can find out more about Children in Need here and don't forget to tune in on Friday evening to catch all the fun!

A quick look at the Official Doctor Who Twitter account gives us a few more tidbits of information for the specially recorded segment:

"Hurray! Things ARE going according to plan! Steven Moffat’s mini-script has just hit the in-boxes of a lucky few… Must look over shoulders…"

"We’ve seen the short script and it is NOT what you’d expect. Oh, it’s funny and fast and Doctorish and brilliant… but not what you’d expect..."

"Not what you’d expect, UNLESS you’re from the future. In which case, wasn’t it good? Talking of the future, we’ll have more news tomorrow..."

"Great to see people reading the CiN mini-script for the first time. They read a bit. Pause. Smile. Look up and usually start laughing."

"‘Really? Wow!’ is another common response... Quick reminder! #DoctorWho on Children in Need, Friday night, BBC ONE"

"Great news! Richard Senior, who directed the brilliant Let’s Kill Hitler is onboard and will be directing Children in Need’s #DoctorWho bit."

"CiN update. Matt has wrapped! The first time The Doctor has been filmed at BBC TVC since 'Ghost Light' in 1989!"

Three new promotional pictures featuring Matt Smith and Pudsey have also been released [pictured right].

+  Click Here to place your bids on the DWO Children In Need Auction!

+  Donate to Children In Need directly on the following link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/donate/.

[Source: BBC]

Children In Need is upon us, and this year Doctor Who Online are getting behind the cause more than ever! We've put together a fantastic collection of goodies to be auctioned on eBay that every Doctor Who fan will love, and of which 100% of the proceeds will be going to Children in Need!

The star item in our auction is an A3 Poster of The 10th Doctor, hand-signed by David Tennant. DWO were lucky enough to get this special item signed by the man himself a few weeks ago at the Entertainment Media Show in London.

Having launched just last night at 9:45pm, the auction already has over £100+ of bids. We strongly encourage all our visitors to give what they can to the charity and take part in our auction. It would be amazing if we could earn over £500 for Children In Need, and we can only do it with your help!

We welcome bidders from all over the world and no matter where in the world you live, we will also cover the costs of postage!

What you are bidding for:

-  A3 '10th Doctor & Jenny Poster', Hand-Signed by David Tennant!

-  'The Entertainer's Tale' First Day Cover with Dalek Stamp from 1999.

-  2012 Official Doctor Who Calendar.

-  Series 6: Part 1 Doctor Who DVD.

-  'The Silent Stars Go By' Doctor Who Book.

-  'The Brilliant Book of Doctor Who 2012'.

-  'Companions and Allies' Doctor Who Book.

-  2in1 Doctor Who Book #1.

-  2in1 Doctor Who Book #2.

-  1st ever issue of popular SciFi Magazine; SFX (from June 1995)!

-  Doctor Who: 'Inferno' Audiobook.

-  A 2011 Doctor Who Online Flyer! (surely the most prized possession!)

The auction winner will also be given the choice to be interviewed for the Doctor Who Online News page.

+  Click Here to place your bids on the DWO Children In Need Auction!

+  Donate to Children In Need directly on the following link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/donate/.

[Source: DWO]

This year BBC Worldwide has a fantastic Christmas gifts for Doctor Who fans with a terrific new range of Doctor Who hand crafted glass tree decorations.

Whether it is a treat for your own home or a wonderful gift for your loved one, BBC Shop has an exclusive range of out-of-this-world products, perfect for any fan of the most successful Sci-Fi series ever. 

Doctor Who: Hand-Crafted Glass Dalek or Tardis Tree Decorations

Forget everything you ever knew about Daleks and imagine that this one comes in peace for Christmas, dressed all in red and rendered temporarily harmless.   And wherever there is a Dalek the TARDIS is sure to be close behind. Materializing on Earth just in time for Christmas, its classic TARDIS blue colour and instantly recognizable chassis give your tree an intergalactic touch, from far beyond the brightest star the human eye can see.

Each hand-crafted glass Dalek Christmas decoration is styled in the traditions of mouth blown glass. Skilled artisans have hand painted each ornament with intricate details. This is certain to make your Christmas tree unique and stylish.  RRP only £13.99.

Doctor Who Series 6 DVD & Exclusive Dalek & Tardis Tree Decorations

The Doctor, Amy and Rory return to face monsters, mysteries and adventures all across time and space in the action-packed sixth series. Billed as the biggest and best series yet, all 13 thrilling episodes of Series 6 together with host of exclusive Doctor Who Series 6 is now available in this wonderful Doctor Who Christmas bundle. Including both the hand crafted glass Dalek and Tardis tree decorations.  A must have Christmas present for any fans of the show, available from BBC Shop priced only £57.99.

+  Click Here to buy them now from BBC Shop!

[Source: BBC Shop]

Britain’s biggest TV stars travel through time and space to meet fans at Westfield Stratford City.

Stars of BBC One’s phenomenally successful TV show, Doctor Who, will be landing in their TARDIS at Westfield Stratford City on Monday 21st November to celebrate the release of the Doctor Who Series 6 boxset on DVD and Blu-ray.

Matt Smith (the Doctor), Karen Gillan (Amy Pond) and Arthur Darvill (Rory Williams) will be at Europe’s biggest shopping centre, the recently opened Westfield Stratford City, to sign copies of the newly released boxset and take part in a Q&A hosted by celebrity Doctor Who fan Jo Whiley.

Fans of Doctor Who can get the chance to see the stars of the show at Westfield Stratford City in two ways:

DOCTOR WHO SERIES 6 BOXSET SIGNING

WHERE: HMV Westfield Stratford City

WHEN: Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill will be signing copies of the Doctor Series 6 Boxset on Monday 21st November at 1.30pm

HOW TO GET TICKETS: 250 wristbands will be issued in HMV on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the event from 8.30am 

DOCTOR WHO Q&A WITH JO WHILEY

WHERE: The gallery area at Westfield Stratford City

WHEN: Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill will be in conversation with Jo Whiley between 4 and 4.30pm

TWITTER: Join the conversation #DoctorWho

[Source: 2|Entertain]

Harry Potter director David Yates is teaming up with the BBC to turn its iconic sci-fi TV series Doctor Who into a big screen franchise.

Yates, who directed the last four Potter films, told Daily Variety that he is about to start work on developing a Doctor Who movie with Jane Tranter, BBC Worldwide's L.A.-based exec VP of programming and production.

"We're looking at writers now. We're going to spend two to three years to get it right," he said. "It needs quite a radical transformation to take it into the bigger arena."

Doctor Who follows the adventures across space and time of a super-intelligent alien in human form, who battles a variety of cosmic bad guys aided by plucky human companions.

"The notion of the time-travelling Time Lord is such a strong one, because you can express story and drama in any dimension or time," Yates said.

The series ran from 1963 to 1989, and then was successfully rebooted in 2005 by writer Russell T. Davies and subsequently by Steven Moffat (The Adventures of Tintin). Tranter oversaw the revival when she was the BBC's drama topper in London.

Doctor Who, starring Matt Smith as the 11th incarnation of the Doctor, is now one of the pubcaster's most lucrative global TV franchises.

Yates made clear that his movie adaptation would not follow on from the current TV series, but would take a completely fresh approach to the material.

"Russell T. Davies and then Steven Moffat have done their own transformations, which were fantastic, but we have to put that aside and start from scratch," he said.

Yates and Tranter are looking for writers on both sides of the Atlantic.

"We want a British sensibility, but having said that, Steve Kloves wrote the Potter films and captured that British sensibility perfectly, so we are looking at American writers too," he explained.

There are two previous films, based on the TV series: Doctor Who and the Daleks (1965) and Doctor Who: Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. (1966), both starring Peter Cushing.

The BBC has since made a few unsuccessful attempts to develop a Doctor Who feature, and shot a one-off telepic in 1996 at a time when the TV series was dormant.

But the combination of Yates and Tranter means this is the most high-powered effort to date to launch "Doctor Who" onto the bigscreen.

Before directing Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and both parts of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Yates worked with Tranter on several BBC TV series, including The Way We Live Now and State of Play.

DWO will keep you posted with more details as we get them.

Update -Tuesday 15th November @ 9:00am

Since the posting of our news item yesterday, many more media outlets have picked up the story. Certain circles at the BBC, however, appear to be playing down the movie news as rumour.

Doctor Who Brand Manager, Edward Russell, commented on his Twitter channel:

"Off Twitter for a few hours and the Doctor Who world explodes. There's always talk of a movie. Perhaps? Maybe one day. But not right now!"

Doctor Who Magazine had the following to say on their own Twitter channel:

"To those hearing Doctor Who movie rumours, it's just the same rumours which have been going round for years. Nothing's currently happening!"

BBC America tweeted confirmation that the movie is in development:

"A Doctor Who feature film remains in development w/ BBC Worldwide Productions in LA. As of yet no script, cast or production crew in place."

The official BBC Doctor Who website posted an update to the movie rumours this morning too:

"We can confirm that a Doctor Who feature film remains in development with BBC Worldwide Productions in Los Angeles. However, there is currently no script, cast or production crew in place.

We'll bring you any significant movie developments as they're confirmed, but right now there's a lot more Doctor Who coming your way which is imminent and incredible... You'll get a glimpse of what we mean when we release the first image from the amazing Christmas Special later this week!"

Many of you are asking us what we think about it all. The BBC are certainly correct that the movie isn't happening right now, but with David Yates confirming he is directing a Doctor Who movie (to renowned entertainment news site, Variety), and that it is 2-3 years away, surely this is confirmation that something iS happening, and that the movie IS going ahead...albeit in the planning stages.

We have received thousands of tweets from our followers on DWO's own Twitter channel. Many of you are excited at the prospect of a new Doctor Who movie, but there are a lot of fans expressing worry at the fact the movie will be separate to the TV series. It is worth noting that, as previously mentioned, everything is at a very early stage right now. Surely we should all give this project a chance and take the 'wait and see' approach? What do you think? Leave your comments below or discuss in the DWO Forums on the buttom below.

+  Are you happy at the news of a new Doctor Who Movie? Vote Now in the DWO Forums!

[Sources: DWO; BBC Doctor Who website; Variety]

BBC Worldwide today revealed details of the first ever official Doctor Who Convention since the series’ regeneration in 2005. The event will take place on the 24th and 25th March 2012 at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff, Wales - the current home of the show.  

Billed as the ‘Ultimate Doctor Who Fan Event’, there are just 1500 tickets available for each of the days – the programme is the same on each day to give attendees the most  in depth experience possible. Fans who manage to snap these up will gain unrivalled access to Eleventh Doctor star Matt Smith, Series Lead Writer and Executive Producer Steven Moffat and many more key members from the award-winning cast, crew and production team including Doctor Who Special FX Supervisor Danny Hargreaves, Production Designer Michael Pickwoad, Doctor Who Producer Marcus Wilson and the award-winning Millennium FX team. 

The unique interactive programme will include theatre sessions and Q&As with cast and crew; behind the scenes sessions show-casing the script to screen process; discussions with episode directors and writers and demonstrations from Special FX and prosthetics experts that will illustrate the challenges and scale of their work on the world’s longest running sci-fi show. Autograph and photo opportunities will also be available with attending cast members and there will be official Doctor Who merchandise and collectables on sale.

Convention attendees will be let into the secrets of Doctor Who special effects as Danny Hargreaves and his talented team, reveal the tricks used to create the stunning physical effects that leave audiences on the edge of their seats. Watch them recreate a spectacular battle scene with live pyrotechnics, amazing explosions and laser effects. 

Even more tricks of the trade will be unveiled by the award-winning Millennium FX team responsible for creating some of Doctor Who’s most iconic monsters including the Silence; the Silurians; the Weeping Angels and the Ood. The team will be giving a live demonstration of the skilful process involved in prosthetics application that fans can watch up-close and learn from the team how each stage is achieved. 

Convention attendees will also be able to get up close and personal with rare costumes and props from the show where designers and experts will be on hand to answer questions about the origins and history of the items on show. The Millennium Centre itself has starred in several episodes – it was the setting for a hospital in New Earth in Series 2 run by the cat-like Sisters of Plentitude, in Tom McRae’s episode The Girl Who Waited in Series 6 the building featured as a principle location on Apalapucia – the kindness facility where people were quarantined, see if you can spot the top floor balcony where Amy fought with a Handbot!

Matt Smith commented on the convention’s announcement: “It’s brilliant that the first official convention is being held in Cardiff, the home of Doctor Who. I’m really looking forward to seeing the fans there, and remember – bow ties are cool!” 

Steven Moffat said: “A whole weekend dedicated to all things Doctor Who, brilliant! We’re going to be celebrating the whole team behind the show, people who bring to life the Doctor's craziest adventures and letting fans into some of our trade secrets. If you want to get under the skin of Doctor Who this is an unmissable event!”           

All tickets will include:

-  Official Doctor Who Convention souvenir ticket.

-  Official Doctor Who Convention souvenir lanyard and pass.

-  Official Doctor Who Convention exclusive behind the scenes images postcard pack.

-  Official Doctor Who Convention bag.

+  Tickets are priced £99 will go on general sale on November 14th from 9am from: www.dwconvention.com.

[Source: BBC Worldwide]

DWO together with CompareTheDalek.com have come together to offer our visitors a special offer for the Official 2012 Doctor Who Calendar.

Order the 2012 Calendar now from CompareTheDalek.com for just £6.99 UK / £8.99 Worldwide (RRP: £9.99) and get a FREE Doctor Who Micro Figure, worth £1.99!

Travelling the stars to distant worlds helping those in need the Doctor, played by Matt Smith in this incarnation, lives up to his name time and time again. The official Doctor Who 2012 wall calendar will whisk you away on a time travelling adventure with your favourite heroes and your most hated villains.

This offer is open to customers worldwide, and as long as your order is placed before 20th November all orders are guaranteed in time for Christmas (current shipping time 5-14 days international, 2-3 days UK).

+  Get your Official 2012 Doctor Who Calendar NOW from CompareTheDalek.com.

[Source: CompareTheDalek.com]

Nothing at the End of the Lane is proud to present a new scriptbook, this time focusing on the unmade Second Doctor story from 1968, The Prison in Space.

“You leave this to me. There’s a special technique required in handling women...” - The Doctor 

When the TARDIS lands on the rooftop garden belonging to Chairman Babs, the travellers find themselves on a planet ruled by women. Tried and condemned to serve a sentence on an orbiting space prison, the Doctor and Jamie must use their ingenuity to break free and rescue Zoe, who has been conditioned to unquestioningly accept the rule of Chairman Babs... 

Eager to inject some humour into the series, producer Innes Lloyd called upon experienced scriptwriter, Dick Sharples, to come up with a story that would inject a lighter tone into Doctor Who. That adventure was The Prison in Space, originally envisioned to write out the character of Jamie and introduce a new companion called Nik - and it's a story that was just a hair's-breadth away from being made. 

The 268-page illustrated softcover book contains:

Facsimiles of Dick Sharples' original scene breakdown along with all four of his second draft scripts for The Prison in Space, reproduced directly from the original script pages.

A look at the history, development and cancellation of The Prison in Space by Richard Bignell.

Reviews of the story by Doctor Who Magazine's original Time Team, Jonathan Morris and Paul Scoones.

Copies of the original outline, scene breakdown and revised scene breakdown for the story originally intended to follow The Prison in Space, Brian Hayles' second Ice Warrior story, The Lords of the Red Planet.

Andrew Pixley looks back at the production of Season Six in Winds of Change and tries to make some sense of what we currently understand happened during Troughton's turbulent final series.

Artwork by Jason Fletcher, Westley Smith and Adrian Salmon.

The book costs £16.50 and orders can be placed through the new Nothing at the End of the Lane website - www.endofthelane.co.uk.

[Source: Nothing At The End Of The Lane]

BBC Books are delighted to announce the Doctor Who Encyclopedia iPad app, which has been developed by Brandwidth in partnership with BBC Books. Written by former Doctor Who script editor Gary Russell, the app is the ultimate guide to seven years of thrilling Doctor Who adventures, which includes up to date information on every episode since the show’s return to our screens in 2005.

It allows you to scroll your way through a complete A-Z of the show and explore and search thousands of entries by series or episode. You will discover the Doctor’s fiercest enemies, closest allies and key places and objects and have the opportunity to preview and buy those must-have episodes.

The app contains over 3000 entries and each entry includes links to episodes, people, places and objects that relate to it. Additionally, each entry has an episode reference, allowing you to search the Encyclopedia by episode or series – so you can find out all you ever need to know about the Doctor, his allies, enemies and everywhere he’s ever visited. You can also preview episodes and buy your favourites directly from iTunes.

The initial purchase of the app will be priced at £4.99 and will include all of the Eleventh Doctor’s content. Further downloads at £4.99 each include all Ninth and Tenth Doctor content.

The app also contains 11 unique portals - special interactive entries, for the Doctor, Amy, Rory, River and other major characters. The Doctors’ portal uses parallax technology which allows users to move their iPad to scroll through a 3D environment, featuring the Doctor’s closest companions and deadliest enemies.

+  Get the App from the Apple App Store for just £4.99!

[Source: BBC Books]

Forbidden Planet have teamed up with Character Options for another Exclusive Doctor Who Toy.

The Peri & Sharaz Jek Set features companion, Peri Brown and Sharaz Jek (as seen in the Classic Series adventure The Caves of Androzani).

The Fifth Doctor and Peri arrive on Androzani Minor, the source of a life-prolonging drug called spectrox. Production of the drug is controlled by Sharaz Jek, a facially deformed madman in self imposed exile, who blames Morgus, a powerful industrialist on Androzani Major, for all his misfortunes. Jek is fighting Morgus’ troops on a daily basis using his android army. 

Jek’s android weapons are supplied by gun-runners employed by Morgus, who then receives payment in refined spectrox. But, Jek becomes infatuated with Peri and saves her and the Doctor from execution by Morgus’ troops only to hold them prisoner himself. They escape Jek but contract spectrox toxaemia, a fatal condition with only one antidote - milk from a giant queen bat.

In a climactic battle, Morgus, Jek and all the soldiers are killed. The Doctor now dying, carries Peri back to the TARDIS, where he gives her the antidote. She recovers, but the Doctor has to regenerate to save his own life.

Contents:

- Peri in Blouse

- Sharaz Jek with Alternate head (not shown)

- Android Head Accessory

+  The Peri & Sharaz Jek Set is released on 9th December 2011, priced £26.99.

+  Preorder this product from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]

It's taken a while for these to surface, but way back when the Russell T. Davies era of Doctor Who was coming to an end, the cast and crew got together to produce some fun videos to mark their time on the show, which were shown at the wrap party.

Two of these videos have now appeared online which we can include for your viewing pleasure below.

The first video stars David Tennant and the cast and crew performing '500 Miles' by The Proclaimers:

[youtube:FPKgPB80jNA]

Ths second video features John Barrowman, David Tennant and Catherine Tate singing an RTD / Julie Gardener themed version of 'Let's Do It Tonight' entitled 'The Ballad of Russell & Julie':

[youtube:y7JWY_oYlps]

How fantastic were they?! Don't forget to leave your feedback on the DWO YouTube Channel comments page for each of the videos.

+  Subscribe to the DWO YouTube Channel.

[Source: YouTube]

David Tennant is taking a double starring role as twin teachers at rival schools in Nativity 2, a sequel to Debbie Isitt's 2009 UK hit comedy.

Pic, backed by UK distributor Entertainment One, started shooting on 17th October for six weeks in the English Midlands and North Wales. Like the first movie, the low-budget sequel is based around a school putting on a Christmas performance in competition with other schools.

Tennant, best known for Doctor Who, plays a temp teacher who must lead a group of under-achieving kids in the national contest, while his golden-boy brother (also Tennant) leads the challenge from a posh rival school.

Written and directed by Isitt, Nativity 2 is produced by Nick Jones of Mirrorball Films, and co-financed by Premiere Picture and Media Pro Six.

[Source: Variety]

The campaign to save Doctor Who Confidential, which was recently axed by the BBC is doing exceptionally well with over 50,000+ fans having now signed the online petition!

As of 2:00pm today, the petition has achieved 51,539 signatures and at the end of the day a total count will be sent to the BBC Trust.

Did you know, if the campaign achieves just 49,000+ more signatures, the matter has to be discussed by UK parliament. Hopefully those involved at axing the show will see sense before then, but in the meantime a huge thanks needs to go out to the @SaveDWC team as well as each and every fan who has signed the petition.

Get involved and help Save Doctor Who Confidential!:

+  Send a complaint to the BBC regarding the cancellation of Doctor Who Confidential!

+  Sign the online petition, which currently has over 15,000+ signatures!

+  Follow the @SaveDWC Twitter account!

[Source: DWO]

In a recent interview with VH-1, it seemed that Matt Smith may have set his sights on Hollywood, and that his Doctor Who days are numbered. That is, of course, if you read into things a little too much (like a few well-known tabloids did last week).

But throwing a curveball at all the doubters, a new interview with Matt Smith via What's on TV, puts our minds at rest...for now:

"We work very long hours every day for nine months. The schedule is pretty brutal, but I'd never complain about it. I love playing this role, and I don't want to give it up any time soon,". "I feel very lucky. In the current climate for actors, I'd never say, 'This is too much' - quite the opposite, in fact. I'd say, 'Bring it on.'"

[Source: What's On TV]

The BBC Press Office has confirmed that this year's Children In Need BBC One schedule will include a sneak peak at the 2011 Doctor Who Christmas Special.

It is not yet known exactly what the sneak peek will include, but it is likely to be the first minute or two of the, as yet untitled, Christmas Special.

The Children In Need television appeal begins on BBC One on Friday 17th November 2011.

+  Click Here to Donate to Children In Need!

[Source: BBC Press Office]

Forbidden Planet have teamed up with Character Options for another Exclusive Doctor Who Toy.

The SIGNED City of Death Set features The Fourth Doctor and with Count Scarleoni (as seen in the Classic Series adventure City of Death), and is signed by Julian Glover.

The Fourth Doctor and Romana II are in Paris investigating a fracture in time. During a visit to the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa, the Doctor purloins from a stranger, Countess Scarlioni, a bracelet that is actually an alien scanner device. The trail leads to the home of Count Scarlioni, who is selling duplicate Mona Lisas to fund time experiments - all originals! 

The Count is revealed as an alien called Scaroth, last of the Jagaroth race. He was splintered in time when his ship exploded above primeval Earth. His intention is to go back in time to prevent the destruction of his ship. 

Realising that the Jagaroth spaceship exploding started life on Earth, the Doctor and Romana race back in time to stop the Count's plan. 

Contents:

-  Count Scarleoni Figure with Scaroth Head

-  Pistol Accessory (not shown)

-  Painting Accessory (not shown)

-  Fourth Doctor with Sonic Screwdriver Accessory

+  The SIGNED City of Death Set is Out Now, priced £34.99.

+  Preorder this product from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]

Manufacturer: Big Finish Productions

Written By: Marc Platt

RRP: £14.99

Release Date: 31st October 2011

Reviewed by: Matthew Davis for Doctor Who Online

Review Posted: 22nd October 2011

The Eighth Doctor without Lucie Miller?; Surely we all said the same thing when Charley Pollard left the TARDIS and now without Sheridan Smith in sight, how will the Doctor cope? Well he won’t need to as this Doctor has not met both of those well loved companions. This is a younger, less hardened Doctor, and it is with this trip to the past that Big Finish brings Paul McGann back into the main monthly range.

Our story begins in Nineteenth Century Vienna. The Doctor arrives with Mary Shelley, after their meeting in Switzerland, hoping to rendezvous with his other companions, Samson and Gemma.

As soon as they arrive, they hear gossip of a killer on the loose and a mechanical marvel that can play musical instruments, and beat anyone at a game of their choice. Intrigued, the Doctor and Mary venture to the great Viennese Exposition, where Alfred Stahlbaum unveils his marvel, the Silver Turk. But nothing is what it seems with the Turk, as one of the Doctor’s greatest enemies makes an unwelcome return.

It is no secret that the returning foes here are the Cybermen, but more specifically the earliest version of the Mondas monsters. It is familiar territory for writer Marc Platt as he worked with them in the wonderful Spare Parts, and to see him writing them again is one of the joys of this audio. 

Platt has crafted a very simple but gripping story, where every character has a significant part to play. The story does not offer any big or grand ideas, for what we get is a creepy and exciting adventure and it serves as a wonderful introduction to a new companion.

The cast here is first rate. McGann’s younger Doctor, but still possessing a rather dangerous edge, is a welcome change after the trauma the character suffered in his last story with Lucie Miller. Although it is a little anti climatic not to have that storyline continue, the decision to go back to the past I believe was a good move, allowing long devoted listeners a bit of breathing space and an essential reminder of what makes McGann so great in the part.   

Julie Cox, returning as Mary from her appearance in last year’s The Company of Friends, is marvellous. The character’s enthusiasm for the life of travel and a particularly brilliant scene where the frightening nature of the situation she finds herself in threatens to stop her journey in the TARDIS before it has begun is superbly played and I look forward to hearing where the character goes in the following stories.

The supporting cast are all fantastic, with Gareth Armstrong as marionette making Dr Johann Drossel a particular highlight, putting one in mind of Tobias Vaughn for more than one reason.

With Shelley in the story, you cannot escape the obvious references to Frankenstein. The Cyberman known as Gram, becomes a prototype for Shelley’s future Creature, mistreated by its masters and demonised by the Doctor. It is the mark of a good writer if he can generate sympathy for a cybernetic creature that speaks like an ancient computer and Marc Platt pulls it off remarkably well. Gram is a fascinating creation, and it is a credit to the vocal talent of Nicholas Briggs that he injects some humanity into the inhuman creature. Gram is by no means a hero for he is still driven by the Cyberman desire of conquest, but with Briggs’ performance and Platt’s handling of him, you feel a smirk of triumph when he finally gets his own back for his mistreatment, culminating in a rather unexpected but brilliant line of dialogue.

Mention must go to the wonderful sound design and musical score by Jamie Robertson, who is quickly becoming one of Big Finish’s best composers. He is also responsible for one of the biggest surprises of this release, a brand new theme arrangement for the Eighth Doctor. It is very different to hat you have heard before, but after a few listens it fits in rather nicely.

With a new theme tune, new companion and new direction, The Silver Turk is an excellent start for the return of the Eighth Doctor to Big Finish and well worth your time.

Manufacturer: Big Finish Productions

Written By: Simon Guerrier

RRP: £8.99

Release Date: 30th September 2011

Reviewed by: Matthew Davis for Doctor Who Online

Review Posted: 22nd October 2011

Memory is a peculiar thing; it can be both a valuable and dangerous, especially if it is manipulated, and it is this concept that drives this rather excellent Companion Chronicle.

Zoe Heriot, dreams every night of adventures she may or may not have had with the Doctor and Jamie in the TARDIS. Now she is a prisoner of the Company. They are convinced she has travelled in time and they want to know more about the Doctor. But what can Zoe tell them? After all she is renowned for her total recall of even the most insignificant details. If she had travelled with the Doctor, surely she would know about it. The Company have found some evidence to help jog her memory; documents which place Zoe with the Doctor and Jamie in a Russian town in the aftermath of the revolution, where something or someone came out of the night, taking the town’s children. Faced with this evidence, Zoe slowly begins to remember what happened. Or does she?

This is an excellent two hander between Wendy Padbury reprising the role of Zoe and Charlie Hayes, Padbury’s own daughter in the role of Jen, Zoe’s interrogator. Both play the mutual suspicion of one another convincingly, and it is the strength of their performances which draw you into the story.

Padbury is superb playing a much older and hardened Zoe, showing at times how the character seems to have become a being of detached logic and reason. Jen is the counterbalance to this. She is firm but sympathetic, simply wanting to know the whole story, and Hayes does a wonderful job playing her.

This Companion Chronicle is a tale within a tale, so what of the story that both Zoe and Jen relate to one another?

The story itself is creepy but rather at times a pedestrian affair, although with some wonderfully disturbing images such as the Children encased in Alien cobwebs. But what becomes clear as the drama unfolds is that it is not the story that is important, but who is telling it.

Throughout Jen relates the details through the historical documents and archives provided by the company and the gaps are filled by Zoe’s memories as they break through the wipe placed on it by the Time Lords. But all is not as it seems.

To give away the ending of this play would rob it of its excellent shock value, but suffice to say it is revealed brilliantly and will leave you pondering way after the closing music has played.

This is a play without easy resolutions and raises many questions about the accuracy of stories. Should we believe what we are told and does written information hold the truth about everything? Can we ever really know the truth about anything?

This is a very fine addition to The Companion Chronicles and yet another reason why this series is an important part of Big Finish’s output.

On Saturday 29th October, The Doctor Who Appreciation Society will be staging their annual 'Time' Doctor Who convention at Hammersmith's Riverside Studios.

Time 5 will be an unmissable event for Doctor Who fans - not just because of their fantastic guest line-up, but also due to the fact that Episode One of the Classic Series Jon Pertwee adventure Invasion of the Dinosaurs is going to be screened in colour for the first time since its original broadcast on 12th January 1974!

DWO will also be in attendance on the day offering a wide selection of Doctor Who related merchandise, and giving away a FREE Doctor Who Micro Figure to the first 50 customers!

Guests:

Paul Darrow (Tekker in Timelash, Hawkins in Silurians)

Richard Franklin (Mike Yates Pertwee era)

David Bailie (Taren Capel in Robots of Death, Celestial Toymaker at Big Finish)

Louise Page (costumes for the Tennant era)

Mike Tucker (VFX classic and New Who and bringing props!)

Dan Hall (Commissioning editor 2Entertain with surprises!)

Chris Guard (Bellboy from Greatest Show)

Andrew Hayden-Smith (Jake Simmons from Rise of the Cybermen and Doomsday)

Daniel King (Davenport in Unicorn and the Wasp)

Ayesha Antoine (Dee Dee Blasco from Midnight)

And Gareth David Lloyd (Ianto Jones in Doctor Who and Torchwood)

In other DWAS related news, the society now has a presence on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, so make sure you follow them, and stay tuned to their YouTube channel as some great Doctor Who related content will be added over the coming weeks and months.

+  For more info or to book tickets to DWAS events, visit the DWAS website at:http://www.dwasonline.co.uk/.

[Source: DWAS]

Manufacturer: BBC DVD / 2|Entertain

Written By: Malcolm Hulke

RRP: £20.42

Release Date: 3rd October 2011

Reviewed By: Dale Who for Doctor Who Online

Review Posted: 17th October 2011

The Doctor (Jon Pertwee) manages to get the TARDIS working... almost, and he and his companion Jo Grant (Katy Manning) arrive on the planet Uxarieus in the middle of a feud between a band of Colonists and a division of the Interplanetary Mining Corporation. En route to sort out the dispute is an Adjudicator from Earth, who may not be all he seems either. Can The Doctor overcome killer robots, giant lizards, primitive tribesmen, prune headed priests and Gail from Coronation Street, save the day and get Miss Grant safely back to Earth, or will an old adversary win the day?  You can find out on this new single disc DVD release from BBC DVD / 2|Entertain, out now.  With all six episodes looking sharp and sounding great and some entertaining and fun extras to compliment the story, it's time to step inside the TARDIS for her first flight of the Pertwee era...

Commentary - It's a very busy commentary this time round as Toby Hadoke guides his six guests through the story. Katy Manning (Jo), Bernard Kay (Caldwell), and Morris Perry (Captain Dent and no relation to Arthur Dent) join up with script editor Terrance Dicks, director Michael Briant and assistant floor manager Graeme Harper to relive their memories of the adventure.  Vey enertaining, and Katy is always very entertaining to listen to.

From The Cutting Room Floor - Annotated edits and trims from the filming of the story; location filming and model filming trims are used.  You do get the idea of just how appalling some of the conditions on locations actually were.  Mud, anyone?  There's almost thirteen mintes of trims and edits and shots, and it does tend to drag on somewhat, unless you're a real fan of these things.

IMC Needs You! - As an extra, this deserves prizes for keeping you entertained and giggling at the behind the scenes view. From seas of clay in freezing temperatures, via very unusual TARDIS landings and a spectacular and funny animation inviting you to grow a moustache. Most of the same crew as in the commentary are here on-screen giving life to the trials and tribulations of IMC robots and the problems of getting them through an average doorway...

By far the funniest revelation from director Michael Briant is why the TARDIS behaves so oddly when she materialises; an effect that has sparked many a fan debate over the decades. Was the landing due to the Time Lords controlling the TARDIS, or because of the shaky rebuilt dematerialisation circuit the Doctor's put together? Nope. To find out what it is... you'll have to watch.

A very light, fun, and well handled twenty five minute look back at Colony In Space, and it tackles the problems of the shoot without crossing over into regret or bitterness. Great stuff. And kust when you think it can't get any better, Briant re-appears on screen to talk about realising the diminutive alien hidden inside the wall, and the poor actor trying to give a performance with his neck almost breaking...

Photo Gallery - A selection of stills in colour and black and white, featuring the story's production, design and some well known publicity shots set to some background music/atmospheres, and the noise of that battered old blue box arriving.  Some very interesting pictures in there, no mater how much you know about the serial!

Coming Soon Trailer - Dinosaurs! Styggron! More dinosaurs! Dopplegangers and replica pubs! Two Doctors, one amazing assistant (tip of the hat to the glorious, and much much missed Lis Sladen), an irreplaceable and also greatly missed Brigadier (another hat tip to the wonderful Nicholas Courtney) and UNIT soldiers. Lots of UNIT soldiers. But then this is... The UNIT Box Set. Out in January! Oh, and there's dinosaurs. Did I mention there's dinosaurs? And UNIT soldiers.

With the usual production notes filling you in on trivia and factoids via their onscreen subtitles, subtitles for anyone who many want or need them, and the Radio Times listings for the story presented in PDF format for those on computers to peruse, Colony is a slightly long, but very rewarding story with a wealth of great performances, and the ever watchable Roger Delgado as the first incarnation of The Master. The characters are well rounded, and The Doctor, Jo, and a TARDIS exterior that had definitely seen better days have a blast. Well worth buying.

+  Compare Prices for this product on CompareTheDalek.com!

+  You can rent Colony in Space and many more Dr Who dvds today from LOVEFiLM, sign up now at www.lovefilm.com to see the full range. Join now and get a 2 week free trial.

Doctor Who took the top slot as well as 4 other entires in the BBC iPlayer Top 20 requests for September 2011.

Torchwood: Miracle Day aslo faired favourably with three placements in the Top 20 figures.

BBC iPlayer Top 20 requests - September 2011:

1 Doctor Who Series 6 Episode 10 - 1,156,000

2 Doctor Who Series 6 Episode 9 - 1,105,000

3 Outnumbered Series 4 Episode 1 - 1,039,000

4 Doctor Who Series 6 Episode 11 - 1,011,000

5 Doctor Who Series 6 Episode 12 - 965,000

6 Outnumbered Series 4 Episode 2 - 806,000

7 Waterloo Road Series 7 Episode 11 - 711,000

8 Outnumbered Series 4 Episode 3 - 686,000

9 Outnumbered Series 4 Episode 4 - 622,000

10 Torchwood Miracle Day Episode 8 - 612,000

11 Planet Dinosaur Lost World Episode 1 - 604,000

12 Torchwood Miracle Day Episode 9 - 590,000

13 Spooks Series 10 Episode 1 - 583,000

14 Waterloo Road Series 7 Episode 12 - 573,000

15 Torchwood Miracle Day Episode 10 - 566,000

16 Doctor Who Series 6 Episode 8 - 545,000

17 EastEnders 16/09/11 - 526,000

18 Mock the Week Series 10 Episode 8 - 518,000

19 Mock the Week Series 10 Episode 9 - 502,000

20 EastEnders 13/09/11 - 491,000

[Source: BBC Press Office]

Thursday saw the launch of BBC Books The Brilliant Book of Doctor Who 2012, and lurking within the (completely awesome) 164 pages of Doctor Who goodness, lies a wonderful interview with showrunner, Steven Moffat, who goes on to talk about the 2013 series.

Speaking to renowned interviewer, Benjamin Cook, Moffat describes the anniversary year in one word: "Scale".

...And then a few more words: "Epic, huge, massive, indulgent... all your treats at once. The BBC is committed to the 50th anniversary, everyone is committed to it... and I guarantee you it's going to be the best year ever to be a Doctor Who fan. We're going to be in production for longer than ever, just to do everything that we intend to do".

+  The Brilliant Book of Doctor Who 2012 is Out Now, priced £12.99.

+  Compare Prices for this product on CompareTheDalek.com!

[Source: The Brilliant Book of Doctor Who 2012]

Doctor Who prop-maker Nick Robatto has launched a range of new, and sometimes outright deadly ray-guns to unleash on an unsuspecting world! Nick, or his alter-ego, Professor RubberToe, has spent the last three years (in between making the odd Sonic Screwdriver or two) creating the world of RubberToe, and a series of ray-guns that are as beautiful as they are dangerous.

RubberToe Rayguns was born from the fevered imaginings of Nick’s encounters with the weird and outright strange while working on Doctor Who, at the end of which he had a number of beautiful – although no less deadly – ray-guns cluttering up his office. An epiphany followed, and Nick set about sketching out the world in which Professor RubberToe lives and formed a back-story for the ray-guns.

Nick says of his new venture; “I've had a very busy six years working on Dr Who, with only a couple of weeks spare here and there. It’s taken me around three and a half years from my initial idea to the launching of the website. I wanted something that I could put my own design on, and so Rubbertoe Rayguns was born!”.

Now Nick’s amazing creations are available for purchase at www.rubbertoerayguns.com! All the ray-guns are handmade by Nick himself, with limited runs on each design. So to get yourself a beautiful and unique piece of classic sci-fi weaponry!

+  Enter Here to be in with a chance of winning a Rubbertoe Raygun on the DWO Competitions page!

[Source: Nick Robatto]

Forbidden Planet have teamed up with Character Options for another Exclusive Doctor Who Toy.

The Enemies Of The Third Doctor Set features Omega, an Auton and a Drashing (as seen in Classic Series 3rd Doctor adventures).

From the adventures of the Third Doctor, the Drashig figure stands approximately 220mm high and doubles as a hand puppet for little hands, children can animate the mouth in classic FX fashion!

This set also includes the imposing Omega figure which features a removable head and fabric robes, lastly the classic Auton figure has a swappable gun hand and Nestene Sphere accessory.

Contents:

-  Drashig figure.

-  Omega action figure (with Detachable head).

-  Auton action figure with Nestene Sphere accessory and swappable gun hand.

+  The Enemies Of The Third Doctor Set is released on 16th December 2011, priced £44.99.

+  Preorder this product from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]