Sunday 6th May sees Hampshire’s biggest Dalek event taking place at the Royal Marines Museum in Southsea. The event called ‘Dalek Invasion of Portsmouth’ will take place between 10am and 5pm and terror will give way to panic when visitors come face to face with the Daleks.

Visitors will be able to see the Daleks navigate through an obstacle race, interact with them during an ‘Audience with the Daleks’ show and watch the Dalek ‘X’ Terminate Factor show. Throughout the day visitors can also take part in a Dalek Hunt around the Museum, shop from a selection of Dr Who traders, have a souvenir photo taken with the Daleks or take part in the family craft activities and make your own Dalek.

Children are encouraged to come in sci-fi fancy dress and there will be a prize awarded for the best costume.

Tickets are available online at royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk/daleks or through the Museum reception on 023 9281 9385.

Tickets cost £10 for adults, £5 for children under 12 and £3 for children under 5.

+  For more details see the website www.royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk/daleks.

[Source: Royal Marines Museum]

Virgin Media have pulled their latest series of television advertisements featuring David Tennant, at the request of the BBC.

Complaints from the BBC have led Virgin to withdraw the advert (see bottom of this news article) featuring the Doctor Who brand as "a gesture of goodwill".

The ad for Virgin Media's cable TV, broadband and telephone packages sees former Time Lord Tennant perusing his own back catalogue on Virgin’s TiVo service, and pauses on a page featuring the Doctor Who logo and a description of the show. Meanwhile, in the background, Virgin boss Richard Branson is shown constructing a time machine of his own.

Virgin originally responded to complaints by removing the Doctor Who logo but BBC Worldwide - the corporation's commercial arm - argued that it continued to contravene BBC guidelines regarding the endorsement of third parties. 

Virgin has now pulled the ad but will continue to broadcast two others in the series, which also star Tennnant but do not reference Doctor Who.

A joint statement from Virgin Media and BBC Worldwide said:

"Virgin Media has listened to concerns raised by BBC Worldwide about perceived commercial endorsement by a BBC brand relating to the recent Virgin Media ad… As a gesture of goodwill, Virgin Media has agreed to withdraw the ad and BBC Worldwide is satisfied that the issue has been addressed."

[Source: Radio Times]

Karen Gillan has officially joined the Twitter Social Networking site.

Fans can now interact with Karen through her Twitter account (@KarenGillan2), which has also been confirmed by co-star Arthur Darvill (@RattyBurvil) and Showrunner, Steven Moffat (@Steven_Moffat).

It is beleved that DWM scribe, Benjamin Cook (@Benjamin_Cook) may have had a slight hand in helping convince Karen to join during the current filming block taking place in New York, and he's apparently working on getting Matt Smith to join also, so watch this space!

Please note that anyone else claiming to be either Karen or Arthur is an impostor, and only the accounts listed above are official.

+ Check Out The DWO Guide to Doctor Who on Twitter.

[Sources: DWO; Twitter]

Fellow Doctor Who site Blogtor Who is pleased to announce the return of the Blogtor Who Audio Commentaries.

So far Series 6 and Series 1 have been tackled by the commentary team and now they return to Series 2, starting this Saturday 14th April with New Earth.

Easter Saturday saw the release of their commentary for the 2009 Special, Planet of the Dead. You can download the commentaries from Blogtor Who HERE or pop over to their iTunes page HERE. 

Along with the commentary, each podcast also features the thoughts and opinions of listeners.

iTunes

+  http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/blogtor-who-doctor-who-commentaries/id434061130

Planet of the Dead

+  http://blogtorwho.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/planet-of-dead-audio-commentary.html

[Source: Blogtor Who]

The Time Traveling Troupe is a serialized improvised comedy series inspired by Doctor Who that follows the adventures of The Traveler, and her two companions, Travis and Tiffany, as they journey throughout time. Where and when they go, and what happens, will be based on three suggestions they receive at the beginning of each show.

Raychel Winstead plays The Traveler and is accompanied by Kyle Brower and Jessi Kyle, playing Travis Hartnell and Tiffany Smith respectively. Each night they will be joined with various talented improvisers to play supporting characters.

The first season will contain 12 episodes with a run of time of approximately 40-minutes each. Episodes will be available to watch for free via YouTube for everyone.

The team behind the venture are currently in the process of raising money to fund the show through a Kickstarter campaign, details of which, together with further information and a pitch video, can be found here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/78344168/the-time-traveling-troupe

[Source: Dennis Spielman]

BBC Worldwide confirmed today that Karen Gillan will be joining her co-stars Matt Smith and Arthur Darvill at The Official Doctor Who Convention taking place on the 24th and 25th March at Cardiff’s Millennium Centre. 

Karen Gillan said:  “I'm really looking forward to the Convention and meeting all of the wonderful Doctor Who fans!”

The Convention brings the makers of the Doctor Who together for a full day, in-depth event designed to reveal the inner workings of the series. On the main stage live pyrotechnic demonstrations will thrill attendees, while in detailed prosthetics masterclasses fans will see a monster made flesh in front of their eyes. Throughout these sessions the secrets of their craft will be revealed by masters of the trade including Danny Hargreaves, Doctor Who’s SFX Supervisor and Neill Gorton co-director of Millennium FX, Europe’s leading supplier of cutting edge prosthetics, animatronics and special make-up FX.

Gillan joins a full contingent of Doctor Who professionals ready to give fans an unrivalled glimpse into the behind-the-scenes world of Doctor Who. Everyone from the Production Designer Michael Pickwoad, responsible for Doctor Who’s eye-popping visuals to Casting Director Andy Pryor revealing what it takes to find a Doctor, will be gathering in one place to celebrate the creativity (and elbow grease!) that goes into the series. 

The Official Doctor Who Convention line up includes: Matt Smith; Steven Moffat; Karen Gillan; Arthur Darvill; Mark Sheppard; Nick Briggs; Ian McNeice; Raquel Cassidy; Neill Gorton; Danny Hargreaves; Tom MacRae; Toby Haynes; Barnaby Edwards; Caroline Henry; Stephen Pehrsson; Michael Pickwoad; Andy Pryor; Gary Russell; Simon Fisher-Becker and Marcus Wilson.

All tickets include:

•  Official Doctor Who Convention souvenir ticket.

•  Official Doctor Who Convention souvenir lanyard and pass.

•  Official Doctor Who Convention exclusive postcard pack.

•  Official Doctor Who Convention bag.

+  Tickets are on general sale now, priced at £99 and available at: www.dwconvention.com.

[Source: BBC Worldwide]

Matt Smith last night proposed to his long-standing girlfriend at the Doctor Who Experience in London. The marriage offer, which Matt had been planning for weeks (with some help from BBC Worldwide), came as a complete surprise to his girlfriend who was under the impression she was visiting the capital for a shopping trip.

The Doctor Who Experience at London’s Olympia, a walk through exhibition where The Doctor takes you on a spectacular adventure though time and space, has already been enjoyed by over 200,000 fans both young and old, and was chosen by Matt as the perfect setting for his proposal to girlfriend and avid Doctor Who fan, Stacie-Anne Dilkes, 23. The attraction is in the final three weeks of its year-long London run.

Matt, 22, from Rochford, Essex coincidentally shares the same name with the star of the globally successful BBC TV series and even chose to dress in a tweed jacket and bow tie for the occasion, the standard uniform of the Eleventh Timelord. He stunned his wife-to-be by pretending to be an exhibit in a section of the Experience which hosts original props, costumes and monsters from almost 50 years of the programme – before bending down on one knee and asking for her hand in marriage. And happily, she said YES!

Matt Smith, who plays the real Doctor, instead of protesting at this apparent, albeit brief identity theft, was also in on the surprise and sent a personal message of congratulations to the happy couple, commenting: "Matt Smith proposing to his girlfriend! Firstly, being a Smith means phone calls to the bank take so much longer - there are so many Smiths!! But I bet none of them have proposed at the Doctor Who Experience! Amy and Rory would be proud. Next - babies in the TARDIS...? Congratulations to you both and many years of happiness. Love, Matt.

[Source: BBC Worldwide]

The Doctor Who Facebook page are giving away a 32-inch HD TV together with a blu-ray player and a copy of Doctor Who: The Complete Sixth Series - Limited Edition and Christmas Special 2011 blu-ray.

The competition can be entered by 'liking' the Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/doctorwho and entering details at http://www.facebook.com/DoctorWho?sk=app_111113792337055.

About the 2011 Christmas Special:

Evacuated to a house in Dorset from war-torn London, Madge Arwell and her two children, Lily and Cyril, are greeted by a madcap caretaker whose mysterious Christmas gift leads them into a magical wintry world.

Complete Sixth Series Episodes:

A Christmas Carol, The Impossible Astronaut, Day Of The Moon, The Curse Of The Black Spot, The Doctor’s Wife, The Rebel Flesh, The Almost People, A Good Man Goes To War, Let’s Kill Hitler, Night Terrors, The Girl Who Waited, The God Complex, Closing Time, The Wedding of River Song. 

[Source: Taylor Herring]

Former Doctor Who star David Tennant has been named best actor at the inaugural BBC Audio Drama Awards.

The awards, which were also hosted by Tennant, aim "to celebrate and recognise the cultural importance of audio drama, on air and online". Tennant won for his role as Kafka in Kafka: The Musical. Rosie Cavaliero was named best actress as Ruthie, in Lost Property: A Telegram from the Queen.

The best use of sound award went to Doctor Who Director, Julian Simpson's Bad Memories.

Tim Davie, director, BBC Audio & Music, said he hoped the awards would bring "wider recognition of the many talented people who work in the genre".

[Source: BBC News]

Matt Smith (The 11th Doctor) and Karen Gillan (Amy Pond) have both scooped up an award at this year's National Television Awards.

Matt won in the Best Drama Performance - Male category, and Karen won in the Best Drama Performance - Female category. Doctor Who failed to pick up the award for Best Drama, losing out to ITV1's Downton Abbey.

There was some mild controversy backstage as Matt Smith was quoted talking to the Radio Times as saying "I've got a year of Who left", but later amended the statement, speaking to the BBC Entertainment News team stating he has "no plans to leave [Doctor Who]", and that he has "No idea who the next companion will be".

[Sources: NTA; Radio Times; BBC Entertainment News]

CBBC is delighted to announce Russell T Davies' return to children’s television with brand new action adventure drama, Aliens Vs Wizards.

Aliens Vs Wizards has been created by Russell T Davies and Phil Ford (The Sarah Jane Adventures, Doctor Who) and will be produced by BBC Cymru Wales in association with FremantleMedia Enterprises.

From the dark side of the moon, aliens are scanning the Earth searching for magic and are prepared to destroy everything in their path to get it. All that stands in the way of Earth’s imminent destruction are two 16-year old schoolboys, Tom and Benny. It’s Ray Guns vs Wands; Science vs Magic and Aliens vs Wizards.

Russell says: “Writing for children is the biggest challenge of all and I think CBBC stands right at the heart of broadcasting. So I'm delighted to launch this show, a true nationwide collaboration - a Salford commission from a BBC Wales team. We're joining genres too - the show's a wild, funny, thrilling and sometimes scary collision of magic and science fiction.“

Tom Clarke lives a seemingly ordinary life with his dad and grandmother. However he hides a deep secret - Tom’s family are wizards and when the Nekross arrive, hungry for magic, they find themselves on the menu.

The Nekross may be equipped with ray guns, teleports and high-tech robots but they haven’t reckoned on Tom and his friend, science super-brain Benny. They form an extraordinary duo, using Tom’s magic and Benny’s science to battle the Nekross and save the Earth.

Russell adds: “Wizards have never met aliens before, and when they do, the result is spectacular! The mysterious Nekross know exactly what to do with magicians. Eat them! Let battle be joined!”

CBBC Controller Damian Kavanagh, who commissioned the new series, says: “This is going to be an incredible rollercoaster ride of an adventure. We believe children deserve the best and we’re delighted to be working again with Russell and the talented teams at BBC Wales and FME to bring the story to life.”

Faith Penhale, Head of Drama BBC Cymru Wales, says: We're so excited to be working with Russell again on this ground-breaking and hugely ambitious drama for CBBC. Filmed here in our brand new studios in Roath Lock, Cardiff, Aliens Vs Wizards promises to be spellbinding television drama for children."

Sander Schwartz, President, Kids & Family Entertainment, FME, comments: “This series has all the ingredients to become a global hit – the extraordinary battle between aliens and wizards is guaranteed to entertain kids around the world, not to mention the incredibly talented team behind the series, led by the wonderful Russell T Davies. We are thrilled to be partnering with CBBC once again on what will be a fantastic addition to FME’s ever expanding portfolio of family entertainment brands.”

Russell started his career in children’s television, writing and producing dramas such as Dark Season (BBC One) and Children’s Ward (ITV) before going on to pen a host of hit adult award-winning dramas including Queer As Folk (Channel 4) and Casanova (BBC Three).

In 2005, he brought Doctor Who back to the BBC after a 16-year hiatus and, as executive producer, oversaw the production of two spin-off series, Torchwood (BBC Three) and The Sarah Jane Adventures (CBBC) that ran for five series on the channel.

Aliens Vs Wizards (12 x 30mins) will be produced by BBC Cymru Wales for CBBC for broadcast in Autumn 2012. The executive producers are Russell T Davies, Bethan Jones and Gina Cronk for the BBC and Bob Higgins and Sander Schwartz for FME. The producer is Brian Minchin and co-producer Phil Ford.

[Source: BBC Press Office]

In September 2011, BBC Three controller Zai Bennett cancelled the Doctor Who Confidential programme as a cost-cutting measure. Confidential was a programme that went behind the scenes of the making of the BBC's flagship drama, Doctor Who. It also covered various events in the series for broadcast on BBC One, and provided a full disc of extras for the DVD and Blu-Ray box set releases.

A highlight of the last series was the 'Script To Screen' segment in which schools were encouraged to enter a competition to write a script that would be filmed and broadcast on Confidential - the mini-episode would even star Matt Smith.

After the cancellation, a huge campaign to save the show was initiated by fans of the show leading to a petition with fifty-five-thousand signatures and support from various members of the industry, including the writer Neil Gaiman.

A group of Doctor Who Podcasters decided to write and record a song about the cancellation. The collective eventually became known as 'No Touch Pod'.

Tony Gallichan from the Flashing Blade and DWO WhoCast podcasts wrote the tune and some of the lyrics, aided by Karen Dunn from the Staggering Stories podcast. Then a good number of podcasters from around the world recorded their own take on the song. These were then assembled and the music track recorded by producer Chris Adams.

It must be stressed that the song is not intended as a serious protest record. It is a bit of fun, a gentle parody of the 'Doctor In Distress' record from nineteen eighty five. Several 'Who Celebs' have contributed to the song, including the writers Nev Fountain and Stephen Gallagher, and the 'Voice Of Axos', Bernard Holley.

However, whilst light hearted, it does make the point that Confidential is a source of inspiration to both children and adults. It shows them how their imaginations, which have been fired by Doctor Who, can be harnessed to create, to write, to produce music, film and literature. Indeed, the people both behind and onb the song have all felt that inspiration from the shows.

The petition to save Confidential has been presented to the BBC Trust and can be found here: http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/savedwc

The song, avaliable in several versions, as well as the video, can be found here: http://www.netconjurer.co.uk/confidential/

[Source: DWPA]

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.

[Source: BBC Worldwide]

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]

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]