Radio Times have announced the results of a recent poll for Doctor Who fans to cast their votes for their favourite Doctor.

With nearly 50,000 votes, David Tennant's 10th Doctor narrowly beat Jodie Whittaker's 13th Doctor, with both snagging 21% of the votes. Tennant got 10,518 votes and Whittaker got 10,423 - a difference of just 95 votes!

Whilst we're not particularly big fans of pitting Doctors against each other in polls (they're all fantastic, right?), it was rather exciting to see Jodie and David's Doctor's rank so highly. Following this news, the Daily Mirror newspaper got in touch with DWO to ask why we thought David's Doctor was such a fan favourite, and below was our response:

"David's popularity is thanks to his role in making the franchise a bigger success in the US. David's Doctor was the first that really made it internationally. He also helped even out the fan base. It used to be about 70-80% male back in the day [when DWO first started out], and now it's pretty much 50/50. Jodie helped that as well, so I'm pleased she's so high up on the list.

For many, Tom Baker is the top one. It's interesting to see he isn't in the top three. David Tennant pipped him to the post. His stories are really well written as well, under Russell T. Davies". 

A full breakdown of the votes can be viewed below:

1) David Tennant 10518 / 21%
2) Jodie Whittaker 10423 / 21%
3) Peter Capaldi 8897 / 18%
4) Matt Smith 7637 / 16%
5) Tom Baker 3977 / 8%
6) William Hartnell 1983 / 4%
7) Paul McGann 1427 / 3%
8) Christopher Eccleston 1144 / 2%
9) Jon Pertwee 1038 / 2%
10) Patrick Troughton 915 / 2%
11) Sylvester McCoy 462 / 1%
12) Colin Baker 359 / 1%
13) Peter Davison 351 / 1% 

[Source: Radio Times]

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]

Back in July, John Barrowman gave us all a glimmer of hope that another series of Torchwood could very well be a possibility. But in the weeks that have passed, it now seems that we may be back to square one. This week, Barrowman added an update, citing 'egos' as the reason for the shows prolonged absence. Today, Steven Moffat hit back at the claims, and rather than trawling through the internet, we have provided you with all the quotes and sources, below:

July 2016 - Barrowman offers hope for the future of Torchwood
Source: Comic Con HQ

Speaking to Comic Con HQ in San Diego at the weekend, Barrowman explained how the wheels are already in motion to bring the show back:

“I’ve already set the ball rolling to get Torchwood back (and that’s an exclusive here at Comic Con), I have a first telephone conversation on Monday about moving it forward to see how we can get it back on television.”

Barrowman then went on to talk about his new Torchwood comic, explaining how its success will help the cause:

“The fans know me well enough, I’m only going to say it if I really mean it and believe it, and if you do believe in Torchwood as you all do and say online, get the comic, just get the series going; it’s like a kickstarter - if you buy the comic you’ll show the support and also it’ll be a huge success because we need Captain Jack back on the screens!”

So what does this all mean for the future of the show? If there really is some bad blood between John Barrowman and Steven Moffat (the writer of Captain Jack Harkness' first ever TV episodes), then there obviously needs to be some resolution before everything can move forward amicably. It's clear, (and one is inclined to believe what Steven says here), that he is not trying to block the show, but according to Barrowman, someone is. The question is who, and, more importantly, why?!

DWO would like to hear from our visitors as to what you think about the situation and how you'd like Torchwood to return. Please leave your thoughts in the comments box, below.

[Sources: Comic Con HQ; Radio Times; SciFi Bulletin]

Earlier this week Radio Times included some new quotes from Peter Capaldi, who has been discussing his future with Doctor Who. Peter has revealed that the BBC have asked him to stay on as The Doctor:

“I’ve been asked to stay on, but it’s such a long time before I have to make that decision. Steven’s been absolutely wonderful, so I love working with him. Chris is fantastic, and I think he’s a hugely talented guy. I don’t know where the show’s gonna go then. I don’t know. I have to make up my mind, and I haven’t yet. As Steven [Moffat] will tell you, it’s very difficult to say goodbye.”

Before too many of you start to worry though, Capaldi added some words of reassurance in an interview on BBC Radio 2, yesterday:

"I love being Doctor Who so I will be around as long as it’s right to be around."

DWO Verdict:

As huge fans of Capaldi's Doctor, and knowing how much he loves and adores the role, we genuinely hope and believe he will be in the role for a good many years to come. Our money is on him staying until at least Series 12.

[Sources: Radio Times; BBC Radio 2]

Peter Capaldi has been speaking with Radio Times about his preparations for Series 10 of Doctor Who, as well as what we might expect from the new companion.

Speaking at the Radio Times Covers Party he said:

"You have to be fit to do Doctor Who and so I’ve just been getting myself ready and I’ll be getting into training to start the show. When we start, it’ll run for nine months and the most important thing is to be there and to be fit and be on top of everything. I’m looking forward to starting."

Asked if he has any other work lined up during the Doctor Who hiatus, Capaldi said his mind was only on the Time Lord:

"There wasn’t really anything else around that I particularly wanted to do. I’m really looking forward to it. We’ve got, great writers. And some fabulous exciting stories."

As for the new companion, Capaldi added:

"We’ve just had some brief talks about it, we haven’t actually chosen someone yet — that I know of. Perhaps someone has been chosen but I would expect that I would meet them before we finalised all that. So we’re looking for someone different,"

+ Series 10 of Doctor Who airs in 2017.

The BBC have now confirmed that Steven Moffat will be stepping down after Series 10 has aired in 2017, and that Chris Chibnall will be taking over for the 2018 series.

The news means that there will be no series in 2016, just a Christmas Special on Christmas Day. Moffat will be handing the TARDIS keys over to Chibnall, who has previously written for Doctor Who and Torchwood, as well as creating hit ITV series Broadchurch.

BBC1 controller Charlotte Moore said:

“I have decided to schedule Steven’s big finale series in Spring 2017 to bring the nation together for what will be a huge event on the channel. 2016 is spoilt with national moments including the Euros and Olympics and I want to hold something big back for 2017 - I promise it will be worth the wait! I want to thank Steven Moffat for everything he has given Doctor Who – I’ve loved working with him, he is an absolute genius and has brought fans all over the world such joy. I will be very sad to see him leave the show but I can’t wait to see what he will deliver in his last ever series next year with a brand new companion. I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Chris Chibnall, a wonderfully talented writer who I know will bring something very special to the hit series.” 

Polly Hill, BBC controller of drama commissioning, added:

“Like Charlotte I would like to thank Steven for his brilliance, which has made Doctor Who a global hit under his tenure.  Chris Chibnall is the perfect successor to take over the reins of this incredible show, so I am delighted that his love for Doctor Who has made it impossible for him to resist !  Chris is an incredible writer and his vision and passion for Doctor Who gives it an exciting future and promises to be a real treat for Doctor Who fans across the world.”  

On stepping down from the role, Steven Moffat said:

“Feels odd to be talking about leaving when I’m just starting work on the scripts for season 10, but the fact is my timey-wimey is running out. While Chris is doing his last run of Broadchurch, I’ll be finishing up on the best job in the universe and keeping the TARDIS warm for him. It took a lot of gin and tonic to talk him into this, but I am beyond delighted that one of the true stars of British Television drama will be taking the Time Lord even further into the future. At the start of season 11, Chris Chibnall will become the new showrunner of Doctor Who. And I will be thrown in a skip.”

On taking over, Chris Chibnall said:

"Doctor Who is the ultimate BBC programme: bold, unique, vastly entertaining, and adored all around the world.  So it's a privilege and a joy to be the next curator of this funny, scary and emotional family drama. I’ve loved Doctor Who since I was four years old, and I’m relishing the thought of working with the exceptional team at BBC Wales to create new characters, creatures and worlds for the Doctor to explore.  Steven’s achieved the impossible by continually expanding Doctor Who's creative ambition, while growing its global popularity. He’s been a dazzling and daring showrunner, and hearing his plans and stories for 2017, it’s clear he’ll be going out with a bang. Just to make my life difficult." 

More news as we get it... 

[Source: BBC; Radio Times]

Doctor Who: The Day Of The Doctor, the 50th anniversary special of the BBC sci-fi show, has been crowned the Radio Times Audience Award winner at the 2014 Arqiva British Academy Television Awards. 

The only award at the TV Baftas decided by the public, the Audience Award was voted for by tens of thousands of people on RadioTimes.com during April and early May.  

In a keenly fought race, the Doctor Who special, written by showrunner Steven Moffat, saw off stiff competition for the prize in the shape of Broadchurch, Breaking Bad, Gogglebox, Educating Yorkshire and The Great British Bake Off.  

The Day Of The Doctor aired on 23rd November 2013, exactly 50 years after the first episode of Doctor Who, An Unearthly Child starring William Hartnell, was screened and introduced the Time Lord and TARDIS to the world for the very first time.   

Broadcast simultaneously to 94 countries across the globe in both 2D and 3D, the 75-minute episode was the television event of 2013.  Starring Matt Smith and Jenna Coleman, the episode saw the return of former TARDIS incumbents David Tennant and Billie Piper, as well as a featuring role for legendary veteran British actor John Hurt as the War Doctor.  With a cameo from incoming incarnation of the Time Lord Peter Capaldi and a glimpse of former TARDIS favourite Tom Baker, the episode was without doubt one of the most spectacular chapters in the show's long and illustrious history.  

Described as "a love letter to fans", the episode attracted 12.8 million viewers on British television, with a further 2.4 million watching the US simulcast on BBC America - breaking the channel's all-time record.  The show also took the record for the most requested programme on the BBC's iPlayer, enjoying almost 3 million streams before the end of 2013.  

There were big numbers for the anniversary special in the cinema too, with cinema takings of over £1.7 million in the UK pushing Doctor Who to number three in the UK cinema box office in the week of airing, and the show pulling in more than $10 million across the world in movie theatres.  

Doctor Who: The Day Of The Doctor is the second Radio Times Audience Award winner.  The 2013 award was won by HBO fantasy drama Game Of Thrones, shown in the UK on Sky Atlantic.  

[Source: Radio Times]

In this week’s Radio Times, on sale Today (for listings 17th-23rd May 2014) Steven Moffat recalls writing The Day Of The Doctor, revealing it was the most “difficult” and “terrifying” thing he has ever written and reveals why he chose Peter Capaldi to be the new Doctor.

Steven Moffat writes:

“When you choose a Doctor, you want somebody who is utterly compelling, attractive in a very odd way. None of the Doctors are conventionally attractive, but they’re all arresting. Handsome men don’t quite suit. Matt Smith’s a young, good-looking bloke from one angle but is actually the strangest looking man from another. You need that oddity; you need somebody who is carved out of solid star, really. Doctor Who is a whopping great star vehicle, despite the fact it changes star every so often.” 

The Day Of The Doctor is one of the nominees for this year’s Radio Times Audience Award at the British Academy Television Awards 2014 – the only BAFTA award open to public vote. Voting is open until 12pm Thursday 15th May, the winner will be announced on Sunday 18th May.

The new issue of Radio Times also includes 16-page guide to the Bafta TV Awards 2014 featuring David Attenborough, Dominic West, Rory Kinnear, Helen George, Laura Carmichael, Natalie Dormer and much, MUCH more...

+  Radio Times is out Today, priced £1.80.

+  Buy this issue of Radio Times as well as past issues from CompareTheDalek.com!

[Source: Radio Times]

To celebrate Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary the new issue of Radio Times (on sale from Tuesday 19th November) features 12 different collectable covers each with a different Doctor and monsters from their era, with 26 pages on the iconic show inside.

The first cover can be seen to the right with three covers being unveiled every day from Saturday 16th November to Tuesday 19th November on the Radio Times DiscoverTV app.

Radio Times DiscoverTV is a new daily TV and radio recommendations and discovery service; helping you discover your new favourite programmes today wherever they are - on TV, catch-up or on-demand.

Available on iPad and optimised for iOS7, Radio Times DiscoverTV is a freemium app with a 30-day free trial of the premium features. A free limited service is available without subscription with easy-to use, 14 day customised TV and radio listings, by provider and location, and basic programme information. Download for free here.

What's in the 50th Anniversary Special Issue?

Why you can't destroy the Doctor, by Steven Moffat
The show-runner writes exclusively for Radio Times on a cultural legacy so strong that it even endured a 16-year television hiatus. Not that he would ever let that happen again, of course…

Retrospectives of each Doctor
From the first Doctor, William Hartnell, to the 11th, Matt Smith, we examine each Time Lord's era, taking in companions, villains and using exclusive archive interviews with the actors themselves. It’s the ultimate guide to the mad man in a box.

Interviews with Matt Smith, David Tennant and John Hurt
It’s not all about the past, though, for The Day of the Doctor is coming. Radio Times talks to Matt Smith and David Tennant about acting together – “Have I just woken out of a dream?” asks the tenth Doctor – while screen legend John Hurt (the War Doctor) tells us why he wasn’t a fan of the 1963 series. 

Interactive issue
The issue is not just packed with great Doctor Who words and pictures, it also contains a treasure trove of interactive content, such as video, 3D pages and detailed guides. To access the interactive content, simply download the free Blippar app to your smartphone or tablet; then open the app and hold your device over the interactive symbols.

Start with the cover to reveal an exclusive video message from the 11th Doctor, and the opportunity to create and star in your own Radio Times Doctor Who cover to share on social media.

Inside, there’s even more, including a comprehensive episode-by-episode guide for each Doctor, animated and video Doctor Who content, over 100 pictures from the Radio Times Doctor Who archive, a gallery of all Radio Times's Doctor Who covers, plus exclusive 3D content.  

An exclusive shot from The Day of the Doctor
The tenth Doctor and Joanna Page’s Queen Elizabeth I look rather cosy, don't they?

My love of Doctor Who, by BBC Director General Tony Hall
The DG writes exclusively for Radio Times about how he fell in love with Doctor Who in 1963 and is now thrilled to be the man in charge at its height. He even tells a nifty little tale of how he once flew the Tardis…  

Interviews with famous Doctor Who fans
Charlie Brooker, Jonathon Ross and Jo Whiley are among the stars sharing their favourite Who moments in extracts from Steve Berry’s book, From Behind The Sofa.

Win the Doctor’s actual bow tie!
And finally, as if we haven’t spoilt you lot enough, we’re also giving readers a chance to a win a money-can’t-buy prize: the bow tie worn by Matt Smith’s Doctor on screen.

Twelve collectible covers
View all 12 covers in our gallery, below:

 +  Buy this issue of Radio Times as well as past issues from CompareTheDalek.com!

[Source: Radio Times]

Could we be seeing another Doctor in the 50th Anniversary Doctor Who Special this November? Radio Times seems to think so!

Quoted from their website, RT says: 

"Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary show will feature one of the five former doctors who wielded the Sonic Screwdriver before the Eccleston reboot, RadioTimes.com understands.

According to sources, one of either Colin Baker, Paul McGann, Tom Baker, Sylvester McCoy or Peter Davison will be in the feature length special episode alongside Tennant’s Doctor and the current incumbent Matt Smith."

If true, this means we would see at least 4 Doctors in the special; Matt Smith, David Tennant, John Hurt and the as-yet, unannounced actor.

At this year's Comic Con, Steven Moffat admitted he has "lied my arse off about the 50th", so could the fourth actor in fact be Christopher Eccleston? More news as we get it!

[Sources: RadioTimes.com]

Confirmation on who will play the role of The 12th Doctor will be confirmed this Autumn, RadioTimes.com reports.

BBC insiders have told RadioTimes.com that filming on the Christmas special – to be followed by the full series – will not take place until the autumn – probably August, or even September.

According to sources the identity of The 12th Doctor is almost certain to be announced just prior to filming, which means that it is very likely that the new incarnation of the Time Lord will not be unveiled until late summer.

Initially the BBC had hoped to begin filming the Christmas special earlier, with some sources suggesting July as a potential date.

“Suffice to say we are completely on track” said a spokeswoman.

[Sources: RadioTimes.com]

Radio Times have launched another issue of their popular magazine, sporting a Doctor Who cover, this time to promote The Name Of The Doctor.

In this week’s Radio Times – on sale today – Jenna Louise Coleman talks about what it's like being in the public spotlight:

“Matt warned me that there’s nothing that can prepare you for it. All I can do is enjoy it. I’ve noticed some changes – nothing huge. I have a really cool job and get to do these crazy things and you do have so many ‘pinch me’ moments. I’ve just been sent emails with pics of the Clara doll, which is kind of… That isn’t completely normal, is it? People do come up to me, but so far they’ve really engaged with the show and the character and just want to chat. Yesterday a little boy walked past and said, “You all right, Soufflé Girl?” Which put a smile on my face. So it’s not obtrusive.”

She hints at the finale of the mystery of the impossible girl :

“In the beginning we see a Clara in the 60s, 70s and the 80s so there are a lot of costume changes, which I love. Always one for a bit of dressing up, me. Love a red carpet. Richard E Grant is back with his evil Great Intelligence, The Doctor’s greatest secret is revealed, all of his friends rally round to protect him and we finally understand why the Doctor has met Clara so many different times.”

On working with Matt Smith:

“His first advice was never Google yourself and, now that I’ve got a three-month break, he said take your time and choose your next role carefully. I’ve read loads of scripts but nothing I’m really in love with.”

+  Radio Times is out Today, priced £1.60.

+  Buy this issue of Radio Times as well as past issues from CompareTheDalek.com!

[Source: Radio Times]

Radio Times have launched another issue of their popular magazine, sporting a Doctor Who cover, this time to promote Series 7 Part 2.

In this week’s Radio Times – on sale today – Matt Smith responds to recent criticisms that there isn’t enough on-air content planned for the show’s 50th Anniversary and that the show has become too complex for children:

"I think there’s only so much you can shoot. There’s a Christmas special and eight episodes, there’s the 50th anniversary, and on top of that you’ve got Mark Gatiss writing a script [An Adventure in Space and Time about Who’s origins]. There’s only so many you can make each year without compromising the quality.

I think we have to give children more credit. Children are always going to engage with the story in a slightly different way to adults, but I tell you this, I bet you they pay more attention. What are we meant to do? Just dumb everything down?"

Jenna-Louise Coleman speaks about her role as The Doctor's new assistant:

“I’d been doing period dramas for two years [Titanic, Dancing on the Edge] where you’re very still, so working with CGI, working with cameras when you’re constantly running, that’s a new experience. Mine and Matt’s dynamic is challenging. Matt describes it as a dance, but to me it’s such a ping-pongy kind of dynamic.”

She’s confirmed she’ll be in next year’s Doctor Who, but of the latest episodes, The Rings of Akhaten (next week) is her favourite:

“It’s Clara’s first experience of an alien world, realising what life will be like to travel with the Doctor. It’s big and heartfelt, but really funny. An epic episode wonderfully written by Neil Cross [Luther]."

As for scary monsters, wait for the finale:

“It’s a huge surprise, a monster with style.”

Also in this week's issue:

-  FREE Monster Wall-Chart
-  Steven Moffat's Episode Guide

+  Radio Times is out Today, priced £1.60.

+  Buy this issue of Radio Times as well as past issues from CompareTheDalek.com!

[Source: Radio Times]

Radio Times starts its celebrations of 50 Years of Doctor Who with four free postcards of classic Doctor Who Radio Times covers with each issue – there are two sets of postcards to collect.

Also in this week’s Radio Times - What’s coming up to celebrate Doctor Who's 50th birthday:

November 2013 marks 50 years of Doctor Who on TV, and RT will bring you all the news as it unfolds – starting with some of the treats coming up. The most hugely anticipated event is surely the Anniversary special on BBC1.

All details are firmly under wraps – and it doesn’t even start filming until spring, but fans worldwide are praying for a multi-Doctor escapade, perhaps with a few former best friends and best enemies thrown in. Could it actually happen? And would all the surviving actors be available – and willing – to appear in such a celebration?

Tom Baker famously declined to participate in The Five Doctors in 1983, and the first three actors to play The Doctor are now long dead. But if William Hartnell can be recast (in The Five Doctors and now in An Adventure in Space and Time) is it conceivable that other actors might convince in Patrick Troughton and Jon Pertwee’s shadows? This might all be pure fantasy, but what is known is that showrunner Steven Moffat has been toiling with the script.

He tells Radio Times:

“I’m mostly excited, a little bit nervous, and aware of trying not to let people down.”

An Adventure In Space And Time:

Radio Times is chuffed that Mark Gatiss is calling his drama about Doctor Who’s birth An Adventure in Space And Time. This was the tagline RT printed on the billing for episode one in 1963 (below) and indeed on all 253 editions in the 60s. For Gatiss, the 90-minute special (filming now and due to air in November on BBC2) is “quite simply a dream come true”. He describes it as “the story of how an unlikely set of brilliant people created a true television original”.

David Bradley (Argus Filch in the Harry Potter films) is playing William Hartnell, the actor who was initially reluctant to take on the role of the mysterious time traveller. He soon fell in love with the character and was sad to leave in 1966. He died in 1975. Bradley says when Gatiss offered him the part, “I almost bit his hand off.” Our first picture of Bradley in character shows him on the second day of shooting last week, with Lesley Manville as Hartnell’s devoted wife, Heather.

Call the Midwife star Jessica Raine has been cast as producer Verity Lambert (then just 27), while Brian Cox (the international film star, not the prof) is playing the “father” of Doctor Who, Sydney Newman, a flamboyant Canadian who was BBC head of drama.

The only surviving member of the quartet who created the series is Indian-born director Waris Hussein. He’s helped Gatiss with his “meticulous research” and is delighted to be a key character in the drama. “I am to be portrayed by my doppelganger, Sacha Dhawan, a handsome actor. Vanity prevails!” he jokes. Recently seen in Last Tango in Halifax, Dhawan was one of the original History Boys (in the play and movie).

Filming began on 3rd February at BBC Television Centre, on what is likely to be the last drama made on the site before it’s redeveloped.

Executive producer Caroline Skinner tells Radio Times:

“As the BBC moves out of TV Centre, we are moving the cast and crew for An Adventure in Space and Time in! It’s a fantastic opportunity to film this momentous story in the actual location – a little bit of television history .”

Plus an exclusive shot of David Bradley as William Hartnell on his second day of shooting, we also look ahead to plans for the 50th anniversary and to the new series at Easter.

+  Radio Times is released Today, priced £1.60.

+  Order both issues with all 8 x Postcards from just £5.99 from CompareTheDalek.com.

[Source: Radio Times]

Doctor Who executive producer Steven Moffat has been talking about what viewers can expect from the new series, which is set to resume on Saturday 30th March on BBC One. 

Speaking at the Radio Times covers’ party, Moffat teased:

“We’ll be up in the air, we’re under the water, we’re on a fantastic alien planet, we’re back in time, we’re forward in time, and the Doctor’s greatest secret is in jeopardy.” 

The upcoming eight episodes - which see Matt Smith teaming up with new companion Jenna-Louise Coleman - will include instalments written by Moffat, as well as Luther creator Neil Cross, Neil Gaiman and Mark Gatiss. 

In November, Doctor Who will, of course, celebrate its 50th anniversary and Moffat was also asked about whether he was apprehensive as regards the forthcoming anniversary: 

“You can’t do this job if you’re nervous all the time. So, seriously, I’m mostly excited, a little bit nervous and aware of trying not to let people down.” 

When probed about how big the event would end up being, the writer replied:

"Pretty big. But, you know, I don’t want people to get bored just yet. So let’s just wait and get our next eight episodes out of the way before we start talking about it.”

+  Series 7: Part 2 begins on Saturday 30th March 2013 on BBC One.

[Source: Radio Times]

In a recent interview with RadioTimes.com, So Solid Crew member and Hustle actor, Ashley Walters, provides details of his 2013 episode Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS - and praises new companion Jenna-Louise Coleman.

Ashley Walters (best known as So Solid Crew member Asher D) first earned his acting stripes as a youngster on long-running teenage soap Grange Hill, before graduating to BBC's Hustle and last year's Channel 4 drama Top Boy. But next year sees his most exciting role to date: a cameo in Doctor Who.

Speaking to RT, Ashley revealed he finished filming his episode - Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS - two weeks ago:

"You can't beat being in Doctor Who - it's something I've grown up with my whole life and working with Matt Smith was amazing. He's a really, really good actor and just being a part of that huge BBC franchise was an incredible thing. And Jenna Louise Coleman is really good at what she does - it seems like she's enjoying her job and I loved working with her."

But it wasn't too long ago that Ashley got in trouble with Doctor Who producers for tweeting a photo from his trailer that gave fans a sneak peak of his costume:

"I nearly got sacked on my first day because they're really strict about it. I was in my costume lying down on the sofa and I just tweeted a photo with the word 'space' - I didn't say anything else. Five minutes later I had execs knocking on my door saying, 'what are you doing?' And then I realised there were signs everywhere saying 'don't tweet'."

As a result, he's a little hesitant about giving away details of his cameo role, but he does reveal this:

"in our episode it'll be the first time people get to see so much of the TARDIS."

* * *

Do you think we will see more of the TARDIS than ever before? Surely we can't see more of the TARDIS than the 1978, 4th Doctor adventure, The Invasion of Time (video clip below)? Let us know what you think in the comments box!

[youtube:zSUiXZot2JQ]

[Source: Radio Times]

Speaking at Cheltenham Literature Festival, John Simm (The Master in Doctor Who) stated he would be keen to reprise the role and play a 'quieter' Master.

“I’d love the opportunity to play him differently, I’d love to have another take on him, to be a bit quieter.”

Simm was the seventh actor to take on the role of The Doctor’s arch-adversary – most recently in the 2009 Christmas special – and was notable for his manic cackling. 

“I started annoying myself after a while,” he confessed. “Russell T Davies had a specific idea of what he wanted him to be like. So I just had to do exactly what he wanted me to, and he wanted a giggling lunatic.”

However, he did admit that the Master’s blond hair was his idea: “That was a mistake. I shouldn’t have listened to my instinct there.”

"There's a new writer now" he continued, referring to Davies’ successor Steven Moffat – “and I’m sure his take on him would be different so I’d be interested to have a look at it. I’d like to take the Master to a very, very dark place.”

Simm is currently filming another BBC1 drama called The Village in which he also plays a "nutter".

“It's about the residents of a village in Derbyshire over a hundred years," he explained, "as seen through the eyes of a guy who’s now the oldest man in the world – a character called Bert.”

“I’m Bert’s dad. It’s like no other part I’ve ever done: he’s a farmer and a real piece of work. He's not farmer Barley Mow; he’s more like There Will Be Blood.”

UPDATE - 1:00pm
John Simm recently tweeted in response to the Radio Times news item, stating:

"Thats not strictly true. I was answering a specific question at a Q+A session. #dontreadtoomuchintoit"

+  The Village is expected to air on BBC One in 2013.

[Source: Radio Times]

Radio Times have launched another issue of their popular magazine, sporting a Doctor Who cover, this time to promote Asylum of the Daleks.

In the new issue of Radio Times, on sale from today, there are interviews with Karen Gillan, Matt Smith and Arthur Darvill, plus an episode guide by Steven Moffat.

Talking about the new companion, Karen Gillan says:

“I’ve met Jenna and we get on really well. And I’ve been texting her bits and bobs about Matt, but what I wrote is a secret. That’s the code of the companion. I didn’t offer her any advice though because I want her to have the experience for herself. I didn’t want to plant any preconceptions in her head.”

On the Doctor’s 50th anniversary next year, Matt Smith says:

“We want to make it as big and bold and as brilliant as we can because, we hope, it can be one of the monumental bits of TV history. But I doubt there’ll be a regeneration…”

+  Radio Times is out Today, priced £1.40.

+  Buy this issue of Radio Times as well as past issues from CompareTheDalek.com!

[Source: Radio Times]

The Radio Times have confirmed the airdate for Series 7 of Doctor Who, ending months of speculation and confusion.

The listings on the Radio Times website show that Doctor Who will indeed return with 7.1: Asylum of the Daleks on Saturday 1st September 2012, at 7:20pm.

DWO reported the possible airdate as far back as May 2012, but as always, nothing is confirmed until official word from the BBC, which we now have through the Radio Times.

Worldwide Airdates:

USA - BBC America - Saturday 1st September at 9:00pm
Canada - Space - Saturday 1st September at 9:00pm
Australia - ABC1 - Saturday 8th September at 7:30pm
New Zealand - Prime - TBC September at TBC 

A new trailer via BBC America is also available to view below:

[youtube:fNHEEZ_I74U]

[Source: Radio Times]

Radio Times have launched another issue of their popular magazine, sporting a Doctor Who cover, this time to promote the 2011 Doctor Who Christmas Special.

The new issue of Radio Times, on sale this weekend and covering listings for 3-9 December, features a snowy Doctor Who cover [pictured right], and a sneak preview of the new Christmas special. Inside, Matt Smith, Alexander Armstrong, Bill Bailey and Arabella Weir talk about making the Christmas episode. 

Matt Smith reveals that the Christmas special monster is “going to be ones of our best. The design is classic.”

Bill Bailey describes his Who debut as “the equivalent of a knighthood.”

Radio Times have also given DWO a clean version of the cover with just the artwork for our visitors to enjoy [pictured right].

+  Radio Times is out Today, priced £1.20.

+  Buy this issue of Radio Times as well as past issues from CompareTheDalek.com!

[Source: Radio Times]

Radio Times have confirmed that Imelda Staunton will be lending her vocal talents to the role of 'Voice of Interface' in 6.10: The Girl Who Waited.

BAFTA award-winning actress, Imelda, will be best known to cult fans for her role in the Harry Potter movies as Professor Dolores Umbridge.

In other casting news, the synopsis for the Series 6: Part 2 DVD confirms that Simon Callow (Charles Dickens in the Series One episode The Unquiet Dead), will be in the final episode of the season 6.13: The Wedding of River Song. The synopsis also confirms rumours that Mark Gatiss (New Series Writer & Professor Richard Lazarus in 3.6: The Lazarus Experiment), will also appear in the finale.

It is unknown at this point, which character he will be playing, but we cannot rule out a return to the role as Charles Dickens.

[Sources: Radio Times; 2|Entertain]

Radio Times have printed Steven Moffat's guide to the rest of Series 6, complete with all episode titles.

Episode 8: Let's Kill Hitler

Written by Steven Moffat

Amy and Rory have waited a long time for news of their daughter. Too long. But when they summon The Doctor, the consequence will change all their lives. The TARDIS crashes into Belin in the 1930's and they find themselves face to face not only with Hitler, but with a unique assassin from the distant future - and that's only the beginning. In the Fuhrer's office, at the heart of the Third Reich, The Doctor is in for one of the biggest shocks of his very long life...

Episode 9: Night Terrors

Written by Mark Gatiss

Horror in Doctor Who comes in many forms and many places, and a cry of distress reaches the TARDIS from the darkest and scariest place in universe. But where is it exactly? This story began with Mark Gatiss and me chatting on the set of Sherlock. "I'd like to do scary," he said. "Do you know where the scariest place in the universe is?" I've known Mark for a while. If he's decided to tell me where the scariest place in the universe is, I'd better listen. "Where?" I quavered from behind my rapid-deployment Doctor Who fear sofa. "A child's bedroom" he answered.

Parents of Britain - sorry, and good luck!

Episode 10: The Girl Who Waited

Written by Tom MacRae

Time Travel is more than just an element of Doctor Who - it's one of the main characters. I'm going to boast now and say that Tom MacRae's stylish and moving script is one of the best uses of time travel in any story anywhere - mind-blowing and heart-breaking in every twist and turn. The Doctor has been in Amy and Rory's life for a long while now - far longer than he ever intended. What if something were to go wrong?

When they step from the TARDIS into a strange white waiting room, they're all about to learn just how wrong time travel can go...

Episode 11: The God Complex

Written by Toby Whithouse

The brief to brilliant writer Toby Whithouse was just this - a hotel: make a hotel scary. All those corridors, all those identical rooms, those bleak and soulless bars and waiting rooms, that tinkling musak - surely all that was made for Doctor Who, where the scariest things of all come bleeding through the ordinary world.

If you've seen Toby's wonderful Being human, you've probably already decided he's a sick and twisted man. Doctor Who is delighted to confirm this simple truth for a BBC1 audience. (Oh, and do you have a ventriloquist dummy lurking somewhere in your house? Just asking, no reason...).

Episode 12: Closing Time

Written by Gareth Roberts

The Lodger was a surprise hit of last year's Doctor Who. It was a simple tale of a barmy Time Lord in a flatshare with a nice man called Craig. Except when you say one them's Matt Smith and the other is James Corden, then frankly you've got enough going on for a whole other series. I leapt at the chance of a sequel and writer Gareth Roberts leapt at the chance to take up his story again.

Events have moved on in Craig's life when The Doctor turns up on his doorstep for a second time; there's a terrible alien threat, of course, but never mind that - dear God, there's a BABY!

Episode 13: The Wedding of River Song

Written by Steven Moffat

"I don't want to marry you."

"I don't want to murder you."

And here it is at last - the episode with all the answers, as The Doctor journeys to Lake Silencio for his date with destiny. While I was writing this, my wife asked me, "What happens?" and when I frownedm and pondered my answer, she hurriedly added, "In one sentence. Quite a short one." I thought a moment and said, "The Doctor goes to his certain death - and it doesn't work out as well as he'd expected."

So welcome to what is, without doubt or serious competition, the wedding of the year! Wary reports indicate that it could make On Her Majesty's Secret Service look like a fairly successful honeymoon...

+ Buy this issue of Radio Times from CompareTheDalek.com.

[Source: Radio Times]

Radio Times have launched another issue of their popular magazine, sporting a Doctor Who cover, this time to promote the 2011 Mid-season finale.

In this week’s Radio Times – on sale today – when asked if the Doctor will face his most dastardly opponents again, Steven Moffat says:

“Oh yes, the Daleks. Actually, they aren’t going to make an appearance for a while.” What? “Yes, we thought it was about time to give them a rest. There’s a problem with the Daleks.” How come? I thought they were invincible. “They are the most famous of the Doctor’s adversaries and the most frequent,” explains Moffat. “Which means they are the most reliably defeatable enemies in the universe. They have been defeated by the Doctor about 400 times. Surely they should just see the Tardis approaching, say, ‘Oh. It’s him again’, and trudge away.”

+  Radio Times is out Today, priced £1.20.

+  Buy this issue of Radio Times as well as past issues from CompareTheDalek.com!

[Source: Radio Times]

The Daleks are to be given "a rest" from battling Doctor Who, writer Steven Moffat has told the Radio Times.

Moffat, who is also the BBC television show's executive producer, said: "They aren't going to make an appearance for a while. We thought it was about time to give them a rest."

The Daleks were voted the scariest villains in the history of Doctor Who in a poll of fans in 2007.

Moffat said they had been defeated by the Doctor "about 400 times".

Created by Terry Nation, the Daleks are the Doctor's hugely popular enemies who have made regular appearances in the long-running science fiction show since first appearing in 1963.

Moffat said: "There's a problem with the Daleks. They are the most famous of the Doctor's adversaries and the most frequent, which means they are the most reliably defeatable enemies in the universe."

Recent episodes of the show, which stars Matt Smith as the timelord, have been criticised for being "too scary for children".

But Moffat said: "It is horror, but horror for children. It's scary in the way that a fairy story can be scary."

[Source: BBC News]

BBC4 will be paying tribute to Elisabeth Sladen by airing the Classic Series story; The Hand of Fear.

The adventure, which features Sladen's last regular appearance as Sarah Jane Smith in Doctor Who, will air in two parts on Monday 9th May and Tuesday 10th May 2011.

+  The Hand of Fear was originally broadcast between 2nd-23rd October 1976.

[Source: Radio Times]

David Tennant hosted this year's Radio Times Covers party at Claridges, and found a moment to cross his own time stream and get snapped with new who star Karen Gillan. 

The party was held to celebrate the Radio Times covers of 2010 where both Karen and David were presented with covers that they featured on.

Other guests at the party were Terry Wogan, Aidan Grimshaw, Jean Marsh, Keeley Hawes, Hugh Bonneville and David Morrissey.

[Source: Radio Times]

Radio Times have launched another issue of their popular magazine, sporting a Doctor Who cover, this time to promote the 2010 Christmas Special; A Christmas Carol.

Both Matt Smith (The Doctor) and Katherine Jen .drwho-online.co.uk/editors/tiny_mce3/themes/advanced/langs/en.js" type="text/javascript"> kins (Abigail Pettigrew) are interviewed in the magazine, and Radio Times have kindly given us a couple of excerpts from the interviews below:

Matt Smith: “It was a great privilege to do it,” he enthuses, aware of the institution the Christmas Special has become si nce it was launched with David Tennant in 2005. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do since I started the show. I love Christmas, plus I’ve always wanted to film something in July that has got snow in, loads of snow… it’s very Christmassy.”

Katherine Jenkins: “It was far worse than any nerves I’ve ever had for any performance,” recalls the mezzo unequivocally, a note of terror still audible in her voice. “I spent a lot of time thinking about it,” she adds. “It’s such an iconic show, and it’s one that we watch as a family. I just thought, ‘I’d love to give it a try.’

 Radio Times is out Today, priced £1.20.

 Buy this issue of Radio Times as well as past issues from CompareTheDalek.com!

[Source: Radio Times]

Radio Times has produced a limited edition Doctor Who Companions Special magazine.

The 164-page glossy special includes never-before-seen photographs and material from the RT archive, featuring over 40 companions from 1963 to present day, as well as profiles of every companion from Ace to Zoe.

This is a Radio Times exclusive and will not be available in the shops.

Get your copy for just £9.99 including FREE delivery to your door. To order, call 0844 543 9836.

Radio Times recently conducted a poll for readers to vote for their favourite Doctor Who companion. The results are printed below:

1 Rose Tyler BILLIE PIPER 

2 Sarah Jane Smith ELISABETH SLADEN

3 Donna Noble CATHERINE TATE 

4 K-9 JOHN LEESON/DAVID BRIERLEY

5 Amy Pond KAREN GILLAN

The best of the rest...

6 Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman)

7 Ace (Sophie Aldred)

8 Leela (Louise Jameson)

9 Jo Grant (Katy Manning)

10 Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart (Nicholas Courtney)

11 Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman)

12 Jamie McCrimmon (Frazer Hines)

13 Romana II (Lalla Ward)

14 Tegan Jovanka (Janet Fielding)

15 Wilfred Mott (Bernard Cribbins)

16 Peri Brown (Nicola Bryant)

17 River Song (Alex Kingston)

18 Harry Sullivan (Ian Marter)

19 Polly (Anneke Wills)

20 Turlough (Mark Strickson)

[Source: Radio Times]