Doctor Who fandom is amazing! We're lucky enough to hold some of the most creative and inventive fans around (it's no wonder it's the Doctor Who fans who end up running the series) - and two such fans have created something a little bit special for those of us who love the classic series.

Christopher Thomson and Siobhan Gallichan have produced an unofficial Minisode titled 'The Glimpse', featuring the 1st and 2nd Doctors, with, perhaps, the finest impersonations you have ever heard of William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton, respectively.

Synopsis:
The Doctor and Jamie accidentally slip into another, rather familiar, time zone.

DWO caught up with Christopher and Siobhan to discuss the project.

Christopher Thomson discusses the genesis of the story:

"I've been an impressionist for many years, but aside from making people laugh for a moment, I wanted to go further. Michael Sheen is no Rory Bremner. And Patrick Troughton was an obvious choice.

I adored his Doctor, but also himself as an actor. I've watched many of his work that I could, and the more I read about his background made me more interested in him. In fact, I want to make a biographic film of his life after Who. If there's a real person I wanted to play in a film, like Sheen, then it would be Pat.

There sadly isn't much of Pat's Doctor we can watch. I've listened to the audio-books of his missing adventures, which is sadly half a performance, but you can vision in your head how great he was. I wanted to keep working on the voice to try and bring that enjoyment in new adventures. My aim was for people to sit back, listen to Patrick. Not me. And judging from the wonderful response I've had... I think I've succeeded.

I'm always working on the performance with each attempt. I don't want to disrespect his family or people who knew him. So I'm constantly learning and improving. Anything to keep Patrick Troughton going, and show the many fans the wonders of the Second Doctor that they've sadly missed.

The Glimpse came to be after Siobhan's fantastic suggestion late one night, which I immediately fell in love with. If I could bring back the Second Doctor, then why not have him meet the First (beautifully performed by SIobhan!)? Combined with telesnaps, which were fun to use, it really gave it that missing episode feel - almost as if Loose Canon had reconstructed an actual recorded episode!

I'm immensely happy and ecstatic with the response it's had. I'm a pessimist, and it's really shown me I should believe in myself more. I couldn't have done it without Siobhan, and she has been remarkable. 

I also voiced Jamie (for the first time) and have heard very little comments regarding it, which is pleasing!"

Siobhan Gallichan discusses working with Christopher and tackling the 1st Doctor:

"Whilst not as acomplished as Chris, I leapt at the chance to work with him. His script was very sympathetic and true to the characters. When I read it I imagined it being done as a charity thing - maybe for the Blue Peter Appeal, 1968, where Hartnell comes back - ill, but having the time of his life. Hence him sounding so happy. Like Chris, I too would very much like to work for Big Finish: as a new First Doctor in my case. We have been overwhelmed by the support and good wishes we have recieved for The Glimpse. And I'm sure that we'll do more..."

Watch 'The Glimpse' in the player, below:
[youtube:0sMd10WDOcw]
[Source: Siobhan Gallichan]

GALHA LGBT Humanists, the LGBT section of the British Humanist Association, were thrilled to welcome actor and writer Mark Gatiss as the guest of honour at their 2014 Annual Lunch last November.

Among other things Mark talked about his thoughts on taking over as show-runner on Doctor Who, whether or not Russell T. Davies had a ‘gay agenda’, and what he really thinks of organised religion…

A video of GALHA Chair Richard Unwin interviewing Mark after the meal is now available to watch in the player, below:
[youtube:Bs7lZ1m9fFU]
(Video shot and edited by Jon Bagge)

To find out more about GALHA LGBT Humanists, visit their website at: www.galha.org

[Source: Richard Unwin]

 

Theatre actress and 70s child star Bonnie Langford is joining the cast of EastEnders, the BBC has confirmed.

She will take the role of Carmel Kazemi, Kush's mother and will start filming her scenes this month, with her first on-screen appearance in June.

Known to Doctor Who fans for her role as The 6th Doctor's companion; Mel Bush, Langford said:

"I'm so thrilled and delighted to be part of EastEnders. I'm a great fan of the show and think the recent 30th anniversary was sensational and shows just how good British television can be. To be part of this family is an absolute privilege."

[Source: BBC News]

Speaking in the latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine (485), Steven Moffat has discussed the future of Doctor Who.

In the 'Ten Years At The Top' feature, which celebrates the past 10 years, Moffat confirmed that the show will continue for at least another 5 years:

"I thought it would last ten years. I didn't think it would last ten years with Worldwide trying to get me in a room to talk about their plan for the next five years! So it's going to do a minimum of 15. I mean, it could do 26!"

[Source: Doctor Who Magazine]

DWO are teaming up with our friends over at SuperHeroStuff.com and are excited to share the awesomeness that is their site! 

They have a vast selection of Doctor Who merchandise including t-shirts, hoodies, hats, beanies, scarves, dresses, socks, ties, sonic screwdrivers and many other accessories! Check out all of their Doctor Who Stuff - but beware, their site is bigger on the inside!

 

If you only have time for browsing a little bit we suggest you take a look at the Tardis cookie jar and the Doctor Who Monopoly game currently available! And if you are looking for the perfect gift for the Doctor Who fan in your life their gift guide is the best place to start: http://www.superherostuff.com/doctor-who-gift-guide.html

Not are they one of the best places to get all of your Doctor Who stuff in one place but they also are running a contest right now where 1 lucky winner will get a $150 shopping spree and 9 runners-up will each get a FREE Doctor Who t-shirt of their choosing! You can enter the contest and begin to experience the awesomeness that is SuperHeroStuff.com here: http://www.superherostuff.com/superhero-contest.html

+  Visit the official SuperHeroStuff Website.
+  Follow SuperHeroStuff on Twitter.

[Source: SuperHeroStuff]

Our friends over at Planet Folkestone will be bringing the first Folkestone Film, TV and Comic Con to The Folkestone Academy on Saturday May 9th 2015. 

Formally Geek Fest, FFCC is an epic celebration of TV, Films and Comics with guest signers, costumers, props, a body painting jam and much much more.

Some of the current guests include:

Tom Baker (The 4th Doctor) - £15.00 per Autograph
Nicola Bryant (Doctor Who) - £15.00 per Autograph
Jeremy Bullock (Star Wars, Doctor Who) - £15.00 per Autograph
Virginia Hey (Mad Max, James Bond) - £15.00 per Autograph
Robert Llewellyn (Red Dwarf) - £15.00 - per Autograph
Normal Lovett (Red Dwarf) - £15.00 per Autograph
Lee Sullivan (Doctor Who Artist)

Tickets:

Adults £7.00
Children £4.00
Family Tickets £20.00 (2 Adults and 2 Children)
Tom Baker Question and Answer Tickets £12.00 Each (Adult and Children are the same cost)
Under 5 years old Free

IMPORTANT NOTE - If you plan on attending the Tom Baker Q&A Session you MUST purchase both an entry ticket and a Q&A ticket. If you only have a Q&A Ticket when you arrive at FFCC you will be asked to purchase an entry ticket at the door.

1 Adult ticket & 1 Tom Q&A Ticket or 1 Child Ticket & 1 Tom Baker Ticket

Supported by the The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust, Absolute Graphix and OYFE Productions.

The event will be raising funds for Folkestone Rainbow Centre and Alzheimers Society.

+  BOOK TICKETS on the Planet Folkestone website.

[Source: Planet Folkestone]

Manufacturer: LEGO

RRP: £19.99

Release Date: November 2014

Reviewed by: Doctor Who Online

Review Posted: 20th March 2015

For the second set in our LEGO Minecraft review series, we are looking at ‘#21113 The Cave’.

You’ve been digging your way deeper underground, block by block, in the search for some much-needed resources, and all of a sudden there’s an opening in front of you. You’ve just reached the LEGO Minecraft Cave!

Things are pretty scary down here! Whilst you can see the precious ore’s that you’ve been looking for, there are cave spiders and zombies to contend with!

It may not be a particularly large set, but almost everything you’re familiar with from the in-game caves in Minecraft have been lovingly recreated here by the LEGO team.

There are lava flows, water, ore blocks and even a TNT block, and the set is spread out on varying levels to add to the adventure. Perched on the highest level (providing you can get past the Cave Spider and the Zombie) is a treasure chest with some much needed bread!

The Build:

There are 249 pieces in The Cave set, and we clocked the build time around 30 minutes. Although fiddly, the ore blocks were particularly fun to build, and once complete look just like the in-game blocks. The cascading lava flow was also gratifying to complete and with the see-through orange blocks, it adds to the overall look - especially when the light catches them.

Finally worthy of note is the Cave Spider, which consists of 24 pieces and once combined (including the articulated legs) form a near exact replica of the in-game mob.
[youtube:6LA8JKNk1bE]

+  Click Here to buy 'The First Night' from LEGO for £19.99!
+  SUBSCRIBE to MinecraftTV on YouTube!
+  Follow MinecraftTV on Google+! 

[With thanks to LEGO]

Manufacturer: LEGO

RRP: £39.99

Release Date: November 2014

Reviewed by: Doctor Who Online

Review Posted: 13th March 2015

Having run the largest Doctor Who server on Minecraft for over 3 years now, we have received constant requests from our visitors to start doing reviews for the LEGO Minecraft sets. Not being ones to disappoint, and grabbing the nearest possible excuse to play with some cool toys, we are thrilled to kick off our very first review for set ‘#21115 - The First Night’.

Before you get too stuck in, exploring caves and mining for diamonds, you’re going to need to build a little piece of home to base all your endeavours from, right? Well, what better way than building your very own Minecraft LEGO house!

The First Night is a lovingly thought-out set, incorporating many elements from the in-game world in LEGO brick form. Details such as pixelated swords, axes and pickaxes also throw a knowing nod to the Minecraft world, whilst adding the practicality and functionality of a playable LEGO set.

Speaking of functionality, there are some great features here; from an opening and closing front door and pig pen, to the hinged access to the house interior. The inside of Steve’s house is a thing of beauty with lots of details that further work as a touchstone to Minecraft. There’s a crafting table, an item frame (with removable pickaxe), tables, flower pots and a treasure chest! 

You can easily combine the set with others in the LEGO Minecraft range, and with the included ‘inspiration’ manual, there are a couple of other alternative tweaks you can make to the way it looks.

The Build:

With a total of 408 pieces, this is a set that you can easily build within an hour. It’s a genuinely fun and rewarding set to put together - from the foundations right up to the tree-laden roof terrace, there is immense satisfaction in building the house, brick by brick.

It’s also neat near the end of the build where the three separate elements cleanly slot together, and with set '#21114 The Farm’ (sold separately), you can add to this further as it slots in to the rear-right of the house.
[youtube:XzU1mVpzklE]

+  Click Here to buy 'The First Night' from LEGO for £39.99!
+  SUBSCRIBE to MinecraftTV on YouTube!
+  Follow MinecraftTV on Google+! 

[With thanks to LEGO]

Publisher: Lulu.com

Written By: Darren M. Bane

RRP: £7.99

Release Date: 23rd January 2015

Reviewed by: Doctor Who Online

Review Posted: 7th March 2015

Every week we get a good number of Doctor Who related goodies dropping through the letterbox here at DWO Towers, but one particular goody piqued our interest this week, and it came in the form of Darren M. Bane’s new parody book ‘Dr U Who’.

Join Darren as he attempts to bring an answer to a very important question; “What really happened to prompt the mighty BBC to finally return our hero to prime-time television”?

In doing so, a whole barrage of amusing issues are tackled including the ‘truth’ behind the Missing Episodes and why aliens speak perfect English - to name just a couple!

You’re taken on an accidental journey backwards and forwards in time, with many side trips along the way that will have you sniggering uncontrollably and tittering left, right and centre! 

Through the parody, you will be surprised at how many childhood memories of the show you’ll have jogged, in what can only be described as a lovingly crafted, gentle prodding at the show and the powers that control it.

Clearly, the title isn’t aimed at the younger fan, but anyone who has followed both the classic and new series of Doctor Who will appreciate everything that has gone into Dr U Who.

Highly recommended!

+  Dr U Who is Out Now, priced £7.99.
+  Buy this book on Amazon.co.uk. 

+  Follow DazzaBane on Twitter.
+  Follow DrWhoOnline on Twitter.

Last week, DWO brought you a story about the current status of The Underwater Menace DVD (originally due for release in 2014, and rescheduled for 2015), and the fact that it has been removed from the 2015 schedules for the time being.

We were awaiting an official statement from BBC Consumer Products on their intentions with the title and the future of the Classic Series Doctor Who DVD range, and are pleased to report we now have that statement:

“We appreciate that some Doctor Who fans are disappointed that we have not yet been able to release The Underwater Menace on DVD. We would like to reassure everyone that we are currently reviewing the best way to bring fans more Classic Doctor Who titles. Please bear with us - we’ll let you know more as soon as we can.”

A recent petition from fans showing their support for The Underwater Menace DVD to be released, has now acquired over 1000 signatures.

+  Discuss all the Doctor Who DVD releases in the DWO Forums.

[Source: BBC Consumer Products]

We Are Colony has released Emily, the provocative short film debut of renowned producer Caroline Harvey, starring Oscar-nominee Felicity Jones (The Theory Of Everything) and Emmy-winner, BAFTA-nominee Christopher Eccleston (Thor: The Dark World, Doctor Who).

Harvey was formerly Head of Development at Mirage Entertainment, the company run by the late Anthony Minghella and Sydney Pollack, where she produced the acclaimed short film Love Me More, directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson. The two remained close after Love You More, with Taylor-Johnson donating some of her Palme D'Or prize money to fund Harvey's directorial debut, Emily. 

Director, Caroline Harvey says:

"Emily comes from a place of frustration: about the form of short film, the fashion for them to be silent, to be genre driven, to be bleak, to have an obvious twist in the tail. It also comes from an irritation with the way in which women are portrayed on screen. Female characters are usually rigorously pinned to a narrative by a mass of explanation and consequence: ‘she’s that way because of this and now she’ll suffer…’ - a falsehood".

"The film is about gender roles, desire, control, frustration, the lust inherent in sorrow, the lies we tell ourselves and each other, the peculiarities of being English", she continues. "I wanted to write about a sexual encounter in which no-one is attacked, hurt, contracts a disease, gets pregnant, arrested or dies. Rather, the opposite: certain encounters allow us to learn about ourselves, our limitations, what we want and need. That these experiences are as capable of healing as they are of damaging us."

Felicity Jones plays a young woman who meets a man in a coffee bar (Christopher Eccleston). The two are soon chatting about snogging, smoked salmon blinis and sexual stirrings involving fingers in ears. "I wanted to do something unexpected," Jones has said.  She also produced the film, alongside Jack Sidey and Nicholas Hatton. The film premiered at the Palm Springs International Film Festival and was nominated for Best British Short Film at Raindance Film Festival.

We Are Colony is a new global video-on-demand platform connecting passionate fans with great films, and their favorite filmmakers and talent.  We Are Colony releases exclusive special edition bundles of deleted scenes, cast interviews, making-of documentaries, production stills, scripts, storyboards, teasers and so much more. Get behind-the-scenes now at www.wearecolony.com. 

+ Check out the special features for 'Emily' on the We Are Colony website.

[Source: We Are Colony]

Check out the fantastic range of jewellery and gifts from our friends over at Nerdtastic.

They have a truly fantastic selection of geeky charm bracelets and necklaces, and even have some Doctor Who themed pieces for you to check out!

Other fandoms include Harry Potter, The Flash, Xena, Supernatural & The Avengers!

Most items in the store are made-to-order and can take 5-7 business days before shipping (unless otherwise noted). 

[Source: Nerdtastic]

The BBC DVD Enquiry Line have confirmed to DWO that The Underwater Menace DVD (originally due for release in 2014, and rescheduled for 2015) has been removed from the 2015 schedules for the time being.

The last Classic Series Doctor Who DVD release was the previously missing adventure, The Web Of Fear, which was released on 24th February 2014 - exactly a year ago today!

It is not known what the future holds for the range, but the team are currently "exploring options" and are hoping to fire up the range again later in the year.

Anyone wishing to express their support for The Underwater Menace release can do so by sending an email using the BBC's online contact form, or by sending a polite letter to:

BBC Worldwide Ltd
33 Foley Street
London
W1W 7TL
UK

Fans have also started an online petition, which you can sign, here.

DWO are expecting an official statement from BBC Consumer Products shortly and we will post more information as we get it. 

+  Discuss all the Doctor Who DVD releases in the DWO Forums.

[Source: BBC Consumer Products]

Anyone who was a fan of The 8th Doctor's TARDIS in the 1996 TV Movie, will simply love the mind-blowing Steampunk clocks by Bad Dog Designs.

We found out about Bad Dog Designs through some of DWO's visitors who asked us if we know where to buy them. After a bit of digging around, we got in touch with Paul Parry who designs the fantastic contraptions, to find out more.

Of particular interest was their 'Gemini' clock, and Paul told us a bit more about it:

"'Gemini In Tempore' Latin for 'Twins in Time' - this is a Steampunk Dual time Nixie clock with a running Steam engine and of course steam. The Nixie tube displays were the fore-runner of the LED and LCD displays we have now, popular in the 1960's and early 1970's. No longer commercially produced but have a mesmerising quality in operation as each digit is stacked on top of the other inside, so the numbers jump backwards and forwards as the digits change.

The clock also has 2 Dekatrons which were used to count and divide electrical signals in early computers, which are controlled by 2 brass knobs on the top of the clock. Situated in the centre of the clock is a gyroscope, taken from a WWII spitfire that is geared to rotate at 1 rpm. On top is a Steam beam engine, driven by a discreet electric motor, and to the LHS of the clock is a steam generator that is fed from a water reservoir inside the brass housing, and finally top RHS is a Nixie display for Temperature and Humidity.

The clock can be programmed to shut itself off at night and power down all the motors, and wake up again in the morning. 

On a technical note - the clock contains 4 microprocessors, 2 variable speed drives, 3 voltage converter / power supply units. The Steam is actually vaporised water using a piezo transducer so there is no heat or smoke involved. The clock started life as a 1942 Volt / Amp meter and the build took me approximately 3 months from initial request to finished piece."

Watch a promotional video for the Gemini clock, below:

[youtube:Bfh10XTXDa4]

+ Check Out the Bad Dog Designs website.
+ Follow Bad Dog Designs on Twitter.

[Source: Bad Dog Designs]

A new, fan-made Doctor Who Soundtrack by cosplayer and long-time Whovian, Ronak Shah, is available.

Doctor Who: A Type 40 Production is available on iTunes and Loudr, and features creative re-interpretations of Murray Gold’s most iconic tracks from the Doctor Who Soundtrack.

Originally released to commemorate 51 Years of Doctor Who, the album features tracks that memorialise Series 8’s most stand-out feats, be it the Show’s new homecoming direction or Clara developing a personality.

Tracks:

- This Is Gallifrey: Our Childhood, Our Home (Pizzicato Arrangement) – An iconic piece that marks the Doctor’s friendship with the Master and their lives as children on Gallifrey, and that has since been immortalised as the Doctor’s homecoming theme, reimagined using piano and strings only, and featuring the pizzicato technique.

- The Majestic Tale Of A Madman In A Box / This Is Gallifrey: Our Childhood, Our Home (Medley) – Another piano-and-strings-only remake. A medley of sorts which begins with the quintessential melody of This Is Gallifrey: Our Childhood, Our Home and concludes with the final section of The Majestic Tale (Of A Madman In A Box).

- Clara’s Theme (Autumn Arrangement) – A simple yet beautiful and soothing piano piece that serves as the theme of the incumbent – and dare I say, my favourite – Companion Clara Oswald.

+ Download Doctor Who: A Type 40 Production on iTunes.
+ Download Doctor Who: A Type 40 Production on Loudr.
+ Follow Ronak Shah on Twitter.

[Source: Ronak Shah]

Michelle Gomez arrives in Cardiff this week to re-join the Doctor Who cast and reclaim the role of ‘Missy’ for series 9. She joins Peter Capaldi (The Doctor) and Jenna Coleman (Clara Oswald) for the opening episode of the series.  

Speaking in Cardiff, Michelle Gomez said:

“Things have been a little beige since I left Missy behind, so I'm delighted to be putting my Lippie back on. I'm positively dying to see the Doctor again!”

The second two-part adventure to be filmed, ‘The Magician’s Apprentice’ and ‘The Witch’s Familiar’, is written by the show’s lead writer Steven Moffat, produced by Peter Bennett and directed by Hettie Macdonald (Blink, the Hugo Award-winning Doctor Who episode).

Steven Moffat, lead writer and Executive Producer, said:

“Everybody hide - Michelle Gomez as Missy was an instant hit last year, so she’s straight back to plague the Doctor and Clara in the series opener. But what brings her back into their lives is the last thing they’d expect.”

Having filmed ‘The Day of the Doctor’ in the series’ 50^th anniversary special and ‘Dark Water’ and ‘Death in Heaven’ in series 8, Jemma Redgrave returns to the guest cast for series 9, alongside the Laurence Olivier Award nominee and film, television, radio and stage actress Kelly Hunter.   

A familiar theatre and television actress and one of the UK’s most proficient performers, Clare Higgins also joins the guest cast for the opening of the series. Jaye Griffiths has been gracing our screens in some of the nation’s favourite TV programmes such as Silent Witness and Casualty and also takes up a guest role in the opening episode.

Other guest stars confirmed for the new series include Daniel Hoffmann-Gill, Jami Reid-Quarrell, Aaron Neil, India Ria Amarteifio, Joey Price, Dasharn Anderson, Harki Bhambra & Demi Papaminas.

+  Series 9 of Doctor Who airs Autumn 2015 on BBC One. 

[Source: BBC]

Funko - the company who hold the license to make vinyl and pop culture licensed toys, have just unveiled their new Doctor Who range.

After years of requests from fans, the company finally unveiled their new ranges at last week's New York Toy Fair, and among them were 9 figures from the Doctor Who universe.

The TARDIS, The 12th Doctor, The 11th Doctor, The 10th Doctor, The 4th Doctor, A Dalek, A Cyberman, A Weeping Angel and an Adipose all feature in the first wave of Doctor Who vinyl figures.

View a gallery of the upcoming figures, below: 

Also unveiled were some keyring versions of the above figures, which you can view below:

+  The Doctor Who Pop Vinyl figures will be released later in 2015, priced £9.99 each.
+  PREORDER these figures from Forbidden Planet for just £8.99!

[Source: Funko]

Filming has begun for Block 2 of Series 9 of Doctor Who, the BBC confirmed today.

An image [pictured-right] featuring a clapperboard for the next block, with Hettie MacDonald (Blink) directing, was posted to the BBC Picture Publicity website.

More news as we get it...

+  Series 9 of Doctor Who airs Autumn 2015 on BBC One. 

[Source: BBC]

Big Finish have announced a brand new UNIT audio series, featuring New Series actress Jemma Redgrave (Kate Stewart).

Synopsis:

In this four-story box set, Kate Stewart and her UNIT team confront an alien invasion by the Nestene Consciousness and its army of plastic Autons...

Written By: Andrew Smith, Matt Fitton
Directed By: Ken Bentley

Cast:
Jemma Redgrave (Kate Stewart), more details to follow...

Producer: David Richardson
Script Editor: Ken Bentley

Executive Producers: Jason Haigh-Ellery and Nicholas Briggs 

+  Released November 2015, priced £20.00 (CD & Digital).

[Source: Big Finish Audio]

Doctor Who and LEGO® fans around the world received exciting news today as The LEGO Group announced that it would be producing a LEGO Doctor Who set.

The concept for a Doctor Who set came from the LEGO® IDEAS website where fans can submit ideas for a set and vote for their favourite idea to be produced.

The BBC launched Doctor Who in 1963 and it is the world’s longest running sci-fi drama. Starring Peter Capaldi as the Doctor and Jenna Coleman as his companion, the hit BBC One show has become a global phenomenon with a loyal and passionate fan base.

The Doctor Who concept from fan Andrew Clark received the 10,000 votes requisite for The LEGO Group to consider it for production.

A licensing agreement between BBC Worldwide and The LEGO Group will see the new set available in all of The LEGO Group’s key markets before the end of the year.

Andrew’s winning design featured a range of Doctors, companions and monsters across the show’s history, but fans will have to wait until later this year to discover what will be produced.

Marcus Arthur, MD of BBC Worldwide UK said:

“Both Doctor Who and LEGO enjoy a particularly close relationship with their fans and I can’t wait to see what LEGO produce.”

Emma Owen, UK spokesperson for LEGO Ideas commented:

“We’re extremely excited to announce that a Doctor Who and a WALL-E set will be released as our next LEGO Ideas fan based sets, congratulations to the designers Andrew Clark and Angus MacLane! After receiving over 10,000 votes from the online community and having gone through rigorous toy testing from our expert panel, these awesome sets are on track to be on shelves later this year. The final set designs, pricing and availability are being worked out as we speak, so watch this space for the final details!”

[Source: BBC Worldwide]

Doctor Who Magazine have sent DWO the cover and details for Issue 483 of DWM.

Paul Wilmshurst, director of the recent Doctor Who episodes Kill the Moon, Mummy on the Orient Express and Last Christmas, explains the challenges of working on the series, in his first major interview....

"We were all very proud of the fact that the Mummy was so scary they wouldn't put it in the series trailer," Paul tells DWM. "It's always about how far can you go? I think the old joke is true: how complicated can you make it to hold a child's attention, and how simple can you make it for adults? Can you make it scary enough for the children to be satisfied, but not too scary for the adults to be worried?"

ALSO INSIDE ISSUE 483 OF DWM...

•  Doctor Who's very first director, Waris Hussein, reveals how the classic 1964 adventure Marco Polo was made – with the help of unique documents unseen for 50 years!
•  Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat answer readers’ questions – including one from former showrunner Russell T Davies! – in his exclusive column.
•  Peter Purves, who played companion Steven Taylor in the 1960s, looks back at some of his most memorable adventures in the second part of an exclusive interview.
•  En garde! Discover fascinating new facts about the swashbuckling Fourth Doctor adventure The Androids of Tara in The Fact of Fiction.
•  DWM presents an exclusive prelude to the new series of books featuring Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart, in the form of a complete short story by Andy Frankham-Allan: The Ambush.
•  Bernard Kay, the much-loved actor who appeared in four Doctor Who stories, is remembered by his friend Toby Hadoke.
•  The Doctor and Clara tackle both Sontarans and Rutans in the concluding part of The Instruments of War, a brand-new comic strip written and illustrated by Mike Collins.
•  The Time Team watch the Tenth Doctor take a bus to alien world, as they visit the Planet of the Dead.
•  Jacqueline Rayner demonstrates the fun to be had in spotting Doctor Who actors in other roles in Relative Dimensions.
•  The DWM Review assesses the very latest Doctor Who audio and book releases.
•  The Watcher examines the changing nature of history in Doctor Who, in the latest Wotcha!
•  The DWM Crossword, prize-winning competitions, official news and much more!   

+  Doctor Who Magazine Issue #483 is out on Thursday 5th February, priced £4.99.

+  Subscribe Worldwide to DWM from just £19.49 via Unique Magazines!

+  Check Out The DWO Guide to Doctor Who Magazine!

[Source: Doctor Who Magazine]

American Doctor Who fan, Mary Nicholls got the surprise of her life last year when Christopher Eccleston (The 9th Doctor) helped play a part in her engagement. Mary's boyfriend asked Christopher if he could help out, and the result is truly heartwarming.

So all you naysayers out there who think Christopher Eccleston hates Doctor Who - think again, and enjoy the video, below:

[youtube:TtV1TgcexKE] 
[Source: Kasterborous]

Every once in a while a genuine surprise turns up to treat Doctor Who fans. This week came the news that a long lost episode of Desert Island Discs featuring William Hartnell (The 1st Doctor) had resurfaced.

The programme which was first broadcast on the BBC Home Service Radio channel on Monday 23rd August 1965, is now available to listen to on the BBC Radio 4 website.

[Source: BBC Radio 4]

Subscribe To A Monthly Box Of Pop Culture Goodies for a Great Price!

Missing Christmas?  Did the Jolly ole Elf bring by lump of coal?  How about spreading joy throughout the year with a box packed full of Pop Culture goodies. A box full of items based round video games, TV, Movies and Comic Books.  

In Pop Culture Box (www.popculturebox.com) subscribers receive a one off, three month or a year subscription.  The company has been hard at work and the January 2015 boxes have been packed and shipped. The February boxes limited window to buy starts NOW. (http://popculturebox.com/shop/one-off-box/)  

Whenever possible, all the toys, comic books, games and premium items found inside the box will revolve around a central theme.  For instance, for the February Box has been dubbed “Hostile Futures”.  This highly anticipated Pop Culture Box is expected to make the receiver the envy of their Geekdom.

These boxes will be most enjoyed by fans of Comic Books, those who are Gamers and those who love Superhero Movies. These mystery Pop culture boxes will make a great gift for those on anyone's list who is always watching TV programs involving Time Travel, Space travel, Monsters and Superheroes.

Content in these boxes will be suitable for the 18 and over crowd.  The excitement begins for subscribers when these packages arrive. The Box content will vary, however, not everyone will get the same contents in their box. The boxes will all have a similar value with from time to time an added small number of random premium items in the boxes rewarding a lucky few hardcore fans.

Pop Culture Box would also like to announce that among subscribers, those who make and share YouTube video reviews Opening or Reviewing their box need only send Pop Culture Box a link to the video and Pop Culture Box will post it on their website.   

Subscription and box purchase is through a cart on the website.

+  For more information, visit www.popculturebox.com.

[Source: Pop Culture Box]

Now and again we hear some truly upsetting stories from Doctor Who fans who are facing real life challenges. One such fan is British-born Amy Watts, who has stage four cancer, and desperately needs help in order to get a life-saving operation.

Amy, who now lives in Los Angeles, has been undergoing gruelling chemotherapy every two weeks and was hoping to have an operation back in December. Unfortunately her Doctor has now ruled out the operation. Amy recently had a second opinion from a Doctor in the UK who wants to perform two operations at Spire Hospital in Leeds - the first in February and the second shortly afterwards.

Unfortunately the operation will cost over £70,000... Fortunately her friends and family have clubbed together and launched the 'Hold Amy's Hand' fund, where they hope to raise over £100,000 to cover her medical expenses and re-establishing herself in the UK.

The name of the fund has drawn inspiration from the Series 6, Doctor Who episode 'The Almost People', where The Doctor is quoted as saying:

""There's a lot of things you need to get across in this universe. Warp drive... wormhole refractors. You know the thing you need most of all? You need a hand to hold".

+  Visit www.holdamyshand.com to learn more about Amy's story.
+  Donate Now to help Amy pay for her life-saving operations.

[Source: Iona Kirby]

Last night, ITV played host to the annual National Television Awards, and whilst Doctor Who failed to scoop up any awards, David Tennant (The 10th Doctor), picked up the coveted 'Special Recognition' Award.

Tennant, who was sat in the audience with his wife (and Doctor Who actress) Georgia Moffett, seemed genuinely shocked and surprised to have won the award.

Check out the entire David Tennant segment from last night's awards in the player, below:

[youtube:uUzlj66F8FY] 
[Source: NTAs]

Filming has begun in Cardiff for series 9 of Doctor Who and includes a star-studded guest cast. The new series will be back on BBC One in Autumn 2015.

The episodes currently being filmed are written by Toby Whithouse (The Game, Being Human), produced by Derek Ritchie and directed by Daniel O’Hara (Silent Witness 2015, The Game, Being Human).

Steven Moffat, lead writer and Executive Producer, said:

“An amazing guest cast for a brilliantly creepy two-parter by Toby Whithouse. Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman are back in Cardiff, back in the box, and back in action - for one of our scariest adventures yet!” 

On set filming for the new series, Peter Capaldi added:

“The adventures begin again for myself and Jenna and I’m delighted to be back filming my second series of Doctor Who.”

Paul Kaye who played Thoros of Myr in the third series of Game of Thrones joins the Doctor Who cast for the two-part episode. A comedian and actor, Paul is also well-known for being the voice of Vincent the fox on the puppet-based BBC comedy Mongrels.

Commenting on his role, Paul Kaye, said: 

“As a kid of the 1970’s, the two shows you always watched were Top of the Pops and Doctor Who, they were unmissable. I actually wrote a song called ‘Looking for Davros’ in my first punk band and I sang it like a demented Dalek. I got to present TOTP back in the mid ‘90’s and landing this role in Doctor Who completes the dream double. Peter is a perfect Doctor and I’m loving every minute of the experience, even the five hours in make-up. What a treat, best 50th birthday present ever!”

Also starring in the episodes will be Morven Christie who recently played the role of Amanda in the crime drama Grantchester and featured in Death in Paradise (2014) and Twenty Twelve.

Arsher Ali who played the part of Malik Suri in the critically acclaimed The Missing (BBC One) takes up a role in the guest cast alongside Colin McFarlane who appeared in Eastenders as part of the Who Killed Lucy Beale? storyline.

Recognised for her theatre and TV performances, actress Sophie Stone appears in the show for the first time. Sophie was the lead actress in the play Woman of Flowers and has appeared in Midsummer Murders and Casualty.

Also joining Peter Capaldi (The Doctor) and Jenna Coleman (Clara Oswald) and confirmed for roles in the double episode are Zaqi Ismail, Steven Robertson and Neil Fingleton.

Further guest cast for series 9 will be released over the coming months.

[Source: BBC]

Doctor Who Magazine have sent DWO the cover and details for Issue 482 of DWM.

Jenna Coleman, who plays the Doctor's companion Clara Oswald, gives a revealing interview about her time so far on Doctor Who...

DWM asks Jenna if the Doctor and Clara can finally move on in their relationship – and after the sacrifice of Danny Pink, can things ever be the same again? “I think so," Jenna says. "But they are a bit addicted to each other, and to the dynamic that they share. It's getting so that one can't go without the other, and I think that's definitely what Clara's realised. In a way that's quite dangerous now, because she realises that there is no going back for her..."

Also inside Issue 482 of DWM:

·  Rachel Talalay, director of the 2014 series finale two-part finale, reveals the secrets of how Death in Heaven was brought to the screen.
·  Peter Purves, who starred as companion Steven Taylor in the 1960s, talks in-depth about his time on Doctor Who.
·  Discover fascinating new facts about the acclaimed Seventh Doctor story The Greatest Show in Galaxy in The Fact of Fiction.
·  Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat answer readers’ questions – including the knotty problem of the Doctor's many wives! – in his exclusive column.
·  Writer David Fisher, who wrote three memorable stories for the Fourth Doctor in the 1970s, revisits his work.
·  The Doctor and Clara face Sontarans and Nazis as The Instruments of War continues, a brand-new comic strip written and illustrated by Mike Collins.
·  Sarah Jane and the Brigadier are reunited, as the Time Team watch The Sarah Jane Adventures: Enemy of the Bane.
·  Jaqueline Rayner wonders how the Doctor's companions would get on in the Cubs in Relative Dimensions.
·  Last Christmas is put under the spotlight in The DWM Review.
·  The Watcher considers the many surprising ways that Doctor Who stories can change from script to screen in Wotcha!.
·  The Watcher gives the answers to his Fiendishly Festive Christmas Quiz! How well did you do?
·  Have your say on Peter Capaldi’s first series as the Doctor in the DWM Season Survey.
·  The DWM Crossword, prize-winning competitions, and much more!

+  Doctor Who Magazine Issue #482 is out on Thursday 8th January, priced £4.99.

+  Subscribe Worldwide to DWM from just £19.49 via Unique Magazines!

+  Check Out The DWO Guide to Doctor Who Magazine!

[Source: Doctor Who Magazine]

Speaking in a recent interview with Radio Times, ex-Doctor Who show runner and head writer, Russell T. Davies, discussed his reasons for ruling out a return to writing for the show anytime soon, as well as why there shouldn't be a 10th anniversary this year.

When asked if he would like to write for Series 9, Davies replied with a polite 'thanks but no thanks' when approached by the BBC:

“Someone from the branding team sent me a very lovely email saying do you want to do something. I don’t know what they imagined - a talk or a convention perhaps. I just said no, to be honest. A programme can’t have its fiftieth and then it’s tenth. I think that’s just confusing. It's marvellous and glorious; let it carry on.”

When asked if he would ever write another episode of the hit show, Davies replied:

“Wouldn’t that be nice? The lovely Steven invites me every year to come and write one. And I love him and I love them and I love watching it, but here I am, moving on. I love Doctor Who with all my heart but nothing is more important to me than my own stuff.”

Davies’ latest project is Cucumber, Tofu, Banana, a three-pronged project examining gay life in modern Britain.

+  Cucumber, Tofu, Banana will be shown on Channel 4, E4 and 4oD in January 2015.

[Source: Radio Times]

Check out the new Doctor Who parody from former journalist and long-time Whovian Darren M Bane.

Dr U Who, available as both a paperback and ebook, is the ‘true’ story – or at least, one timeline’s version of it – of Doctor Who’s triumphant return to prime time television, and subsequent world domination. It reveals the ‘real’ reason behind the BBC’s historic decision to bring Doctor Who back from Hiatus, and put an end to those long wilderness years.

Inspired by the Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol, this affectionate parody provides ‘definitive’ answers to a number of questions raised by the long-running series over the years, including the “real” reason why so many alien races speak English; the truth behind the ‘missing episodes’; the real cause of the dinosaurs becoming extinct (the cyber ship with Adric on board merely scratched the surface), the unfortunate typo which prevented the tenth Doctor from properly heeding a warning which could have prolonged his life, the reason why anti-matter is called anti-matter, why sci-fi fans are sometimes called anoraks - and plenty more. Just remember, when Cap’n Jack The Lad Harmless is about, then, whatever you do, don’t wink.

Dr U Who was originally published, briefly, exclusively on Kindle until the author discovered www.lulu.com, and the means to make it available as a paperback and on a wide range of ebook sellers, without breaking the bank.

But during that initial brief time on Kindle, it was downloaded 203 times, and attracted six reviews, two of which were five-star,  three were four-star and one was three-star.

Comments from reviewers included: “Well written, affectionate, Dr Who parody. The author has a nice way with words, making this an easy read, with plenty of giggles”, “a right reveting read, clearly written by a true fan of Dr Who”, “his love for, and knowledge of, the franchise shines through in an affectionate parody,” and “the best Doctor Who parody, great satire humour.”

Darren M Bane is a middle-aged kid whose earliest memory of Doctor Who was watching Jon Pertwee in hand-to-hand combat with a Sontaran in The Time Warrior; and he’s been in love with the show ever since. While working as a journalist, he reported on, and then became a member of the crew of, a low-budget fan-made film, Soul’s Ark, which starred Colin Baker, Wendy Padbury and Carole Ann Ford.

Dr U Who is available as a paperback from www.lulu.com, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones and others, for £7.99.

It’s available as an ebook from www.lulu.com from 99p, and should soon be available through all the major ebook retailers including Nook, Kobo, Kindle and the iBookstore.

For more information about the author, and other books he has written and is planning to, visit his website at www.dazzab.co.uk.

[Source: Dazza B]