FIRST LOOK: The Ice Warriors

The latest promotional pictures from the BBC have revealed the new 2013 version of the returning classic Doctor Who "aliens", The Ice Warriors - click on the pictures included here for bigger versions. The Ice Warriors will appear in the third episode of Series 7 Part 2 which stars David Warner (Tron, Doctor Who: Dreamland) and Liam Cunningham (Game of Thrones) and is written by Mark Gatiss (Night Terrors, The Unquiet Dead). The series starts on March 30.

Read the Guide to Series 7 HERE.

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The Bells of Saint John promo pics

The BBC have released promotional images from the first episode of Doctor Who Series 7 Part 2 - click on the pictures here for bigger versions. Eagle-eyed readers will spot much to enjoy, including some monsters and villains from the upcoming series. From the BBC:

"Doctor Who is to return to BBC One on 30 March in a modern day urban thriller announced today as The Bells of Saint John, as the first official image is revealed giving fans a sneak peak at what to expect from the epic new series that starts Easter Saturday."

 

The Bells of Saint John airs on March 30 on BBC One, BBC America and SPACE whilst it airs the following day in Poland and South Africa. Set in London against the backdrop of new and old iconic landmarks, The Shard and Westminster Bridge, the episode will also establish a new nemesis, the Spoonheads, who will battle the Doctor as he discovers something sinister is lurking in the Wi-Fi. Speaking about the series, current showrunner Steven Moffat said:

"We're running round the rings of an alien world and then a haunted house. There's new Cybermen, new Ice Warriors and a never before attempted journey to the centre of the TARDIS. And in the finale, the Doctor's greatest secret will at last be revealed. If this wasn't already our most exciting year it would be anyway."

Visit the Doctor Who Series 7 Guide HERE.

Thanks to BBC Pictures.

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My Life - I Am Ethan documentary

Next week on CBBC sees a film from Doctor Who DVD documentary maker, Chris Chapman. My Life - I Am Ethan is the story of profoundly-deaf 10-year-old Ethan, and his efforts to set up his own rock band - and features a very strong Doctor Who flavour! Click on the pictures included here for bigger versions. Speaking to Blogtor Who, BAFTA nominated Chapman said:

"I actually met Ethan during the filming at Toby Hadoke's house for Looking for Peter (Ethan is Toby's stepson), he just bounded up to me with this amazing confidence, and I thought he was a really interesting young chap. He's also a HUGE Doctor Who fan, so we've let that have a big impact on the look of the programme. I loved the idea that he wouldn't arrive at a location in a boring old car, but instead IN THE TARDIS!

We've had amazing support from Edward Russell and the BBC team on Doctor Who, as well as the likes of Bob Baker and the Terry Nation estate. Having our voiceover delivered by John Leeson as K9, with the help of Nicholas Briggs as the Daleks was really the icing on the cake."

You can watch My Life - I Am Ethan on the CBBC Channel on Tues March 5 at 5.45pm and will be available on the BBC iPlayer - watch it HERE.

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Tom Baker signing in London

Actor Tom Baker, best known for playing The Fourth Doctor, is to make an appearance at The Stamp Centre in London to celebrate the release of the Royal Mail Doctor Who stamps. Tom will be signing from 10am-3pm on March 26 at the store located in The Strand.

 For full details, visit the website HERE.

Please note: you have to buy an item on the day to take part in the signing. Visit Sci Fi Collector for great Doctor Who merch HERE.

More on the Doctor Who stamps

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International Who~age

BBC Worldwide have announced a cinema screening of The Impossible Astronaut and Day of the Moon in Australia. The Doctor Who Series 6 opener will be shown in multiple theatres on Thursday 14th March. Click HERE for more details. Meanwhile, in the player below you can check out a clip of Doctor Who in five different languages!

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Karen Gillan to attend Convention in June

Starfury Events have announced that actress Karen Gillan (Amy Pond) is to attend their event, Return to the 11th Hour, later this year. The convention takes place from 28 to 30 June at the Hilton Metropole Hotel Birmingham, with Gillan appearing on the final day.

Other guests include: Neve McIntosh (Vastra), Caitlin Blackwood (Amelia Pond), Anamaria Marinca  (Darla in Asylum of the Daleks) and Simon Fisher-Becker (Dorium Maldovar) with more to be announced soon. Find more details and buy tickets on the website HERE.

ETA: Actor David Bradley (Dinosaurs on a Spaceship and An Adventure In Space & Time) has been added to the guests for the weekend.

Last year, Starfury organised the brilliant conventions: The 11th Hour with Matt Smith (review HERE) and Midnight with David Tennant and Billie Piper.

Buy tickets for Return to the 11th Hour HERE

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Tee Offer

Our chums over at TeeFury have got another great Doctor Who t~shirt for sale - for 24 hours only! Titled The Time Job, the design is available worldwide for $10 - visit the site HERE.

PLEASE NOTE: This tee is no longer available

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The Blogtor Who Top 50 - No. 40

Here it is! Blogtor's personal countdown of his 50 favourite Doctor Who television stories, one a week till the big day in November 2013. Now, just to point out, this choice is purely my own. So don't expect reasoned debate or objectivity. Or even the need to please every fan out there. This is my list, and I stand by it. I will also add that I've seen every Doctor Who story released (at least twice), so I feel like I know what I'm talking about. Anyway, enough chittle of the chattle, let's begin...

Partners In Crime
First broadcast 5/4/2008 starring David Tennant

I'll come to the story in a minute but there are three scenes in this episode that are truly up there with my all time favourite moments in Whostory. Let's talk about the return of Rose first.

What a move on behalf of Russell T Davies. What an audacious and floor-bangingly amazing move. I say "floor-banging" 'cos that's exactly what I did when 'ole Bills suddenly appeared. I. Just. Could. Not. Believe. It. Aside from the shock of seeing her back, and chatting with Cathy T there was the element of, "How the eff did they keep that quiet????"

Surprises in Doctor Who are always fun (well, nearly always) and this was a doozy. I say "fun", however, her appearance was eerie and slightly scary - what was she doing there? It didn't feel rejoiceful, more mournful, if anything. Anyway, a great Who moment; a Whoment.

Elsewhere, the seconds where The Doctor and Donna are reunited is sublime. Apart from my unbridled joy at seeing them together (I really didn't want her to go at the end of The Runaway Bride so her return was a dream come true), Tennant and Tate revealed an hilarious chemistry as they mimed at each other through the windows. Exquisitely played, written and shot.

And what about Bernard Cribbins? How lovely to have him back, and tragic given the circumstances. The Cribbotron seems to embody Doctor Who beautifully, wonderfully old and impeccable youthful. His exuberance at seeing his granddaughter in the TARDIS is a real tear~maker. As his emotional chat with Donna, the elder statesman of television still knows his acting skills and how to deploy them.

With the triumvirate of Davey T, Cathy T and Berny C, Doctor Who was utterly spoiled for quality (not to mention Rusty D) but Partners In Crime had more to back it up. Jacqueline King made for a formidable mother (Sylvia Noble) just as Sarah Lancashire made for an even more formidable care giver - an intergalactic bad Mary Poppins.

And just how cute were the Adipose!?

One of the features of the episode I thoroughly appreciate is the fact that its not a simple Earth invasion story - it's not an invasion at all. It's a "use the the fatties and leave" kinda story, not your archetypal alien tale.

As an opener, Partners In Crime is a belter and is such solid fun throughout with those scenes I mentioned really consolidating this story as an absolute gem for me. It rewards on a number of different levels (though I'm sure my downstairs neighbour doesn't appreciate it like I do).

See Nos. 50-41 HERE

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Jenna-Louise Coleman on The Last Leg

Popular Doctor Who actress Jenna-Louise Coleman, who you may remember as Clara Oswald, was a guest on the Channel Four "comedy" show, The Last Leg earlier this evening - watch a clip in the player below. In it she chats about getting the role in Doctor Who and making her action figure.

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Big Blue Box 2

The popular one day convention for fans of Doctor Who rematerialises next month at Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells to mark the 50th anniversary of everyone’s favourite time traveller. Big Blue Box 2 takes place on Mar 16 will include panel discussions with audience Q&As, a live debate, charity auction, special screenings, signings and stalls. Buy Tickets and check details HERE.

Guests (subject to work commitments) include Louise Jameson (Leela), Richard Franklin (Mike Yates), Simon Fisher-Becker (Dorium Maldovar), Dan Starkey (Strax) and from inside the Daleks, operators Cy Town and Nicholas Pegg. They’ll be joined by writers and commentators including Simon Guerrier, Andrew Smith, Nigel Fairs, Richard Bignell, Will Howells and Jonathan Morris, along with Doctor Who composer Mark Ayres.

BUY TICKETS HERE

 The day will conclude with a special performance of Toby Hadoke’s sell out Edinburgh show, My Stepson Stole my Sonic Screwdriver. All proceeds from this event will go to Compaid, a local charity supporting disabled people. Registered Charity Number 1064160.

For updates on the day and additions to the confirmed guests, "Like" the Facebook page at facebook.com/BigBlueBoxTW or follow on Twitter at @BigBlueBox2. The event takes place on Sat Mar 16 in the Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells.

BUY TICKETS HERE

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Inspector Spacetime on Community

US "sitcom" Community yet again featured references to the Doctor Who parody, Inspector Spacetime - watch a clip in the player above. The episode, broadcast last night in the US, also heavily featured an Inspector Spacetime convention, along with British actor Matt Lucas (Little Britain). This is not the first time the fictional show has been mentioned, watch more clips HERE and HERE whilst Doctor Who itself got referenced in THIS clip.

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The Visitation and Inferno DVD covers

Tea Lady Design have released the artwork for the upcoming "Special Edition" DVD releases of The Visitation and Inferno - click on the images above for bigger versions. The Peter Davison classic is released in the UK and North America on May 6 whilst it receives an Australasian release on April 24. The Jon Pertwee adventure gets a UK release on May 27.

Visit Tea Lady Design on Facebook

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'RogueCyberman' Missing Episode Scam - [UPDATE]

Together with our friends at Doctor Who Online and Kasterborous, Blogtor would like to draw readers' attention to an online scam offering missing Doctor Who episodes in exchange for credit card access to an online porn site.

The site, which is hosted by 'RogueCyberman' an online blogger and Twitter user, claims to have missing episodes such as The Faceless Ones and The Macra Terror, and offers them as 'bonus content' when you sign up to Time Girl Katie's porn site. The blogger, who remains anonymous, claimed the following: 

"All of the missing episodes recently recovered from an anonymous collector in Kent have been successfully digitised and are now available to download as bonus content in Time Girl Katie's free private members area."

This news item has also come about as a result of DWO receiving a number of emails from Doctor Who fans claiming that their children (looking for missing Doctor Who episodes) stumbled across RogueCyberman's blog and were subjected to the adult imagery from Time Girl Katie's site, from which his blog directly links to in promise of the episodes.

DWO, Kasterborous and Blogtor Who would like to assure fans that there is no Doctor Who content at all on the website, and should be warned not to give any credit card details to the site.

Thanks to Doctor Who Online 

UPDATE: The sites mentioned and the Twitter feed have now been deleted.

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An Adventure In Space & Time pics

Included here are some on-set pictures from filming on the Mark Gatiss "genesis of Dr Who" drama, An Adventure In Space & Time. Pictured are: David Bradley as William Hartnell; Jamie Glover as William Russell; Jemma Powell as Jacqueline Hill and Claudia Grant as Carole Ann Ford. The film also stars Brian Cox, Jessica Raine and Reece Shearsmith as Patrick Troughton.

Thanks to Tommy Two~Times

See more pics HERE.

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Steven Moffat interview

Included in the player below is an interview with current showrunner Steven Moffat which was filmed for the recent Gallifrey One convention. In it he chats to Doctor Who DVD documentary maker Ed Stradling about 2013, the Christmas Special, The Master, the Ice Warriors, Journey To The Centre of the TARDIS and the return of Russell T Davies to the series.

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The TARDIS Speaker System

BBC Worldwide have announced details of a new speaker system, designed on the TARDIS! Details below:

Fully scaled and beautifully designed, the speaker is sure to delight all would-be Time Lords, and offers a number of unique features.

A high quality 2.1 sound system is compatible with Bluetooth input as well as audio from any device fitted with a 3.5mm headphone. Whilst two internal full-range speakers housed inside a tuned and sealed chamber with bass provided by a separate drive unit - all powered by an integral 2.1 audio amplifier designed and optimised by an ex-Harmon Kardon sound engineer - for low distortion and high clarity, offers a real treat for audio fans.

The next and previous track selection, volume and separate bass and treble adjustments can also be made via a neat remote control. And, for a real time travel experience, the ambient LED light positioned on the roof flashes blue when paired with a Bluetooth device, and the speaker also makes the famous TARDIS landing sound.

This fantastic speaker also features a built-in USB port which is capable of delivering up to 1 Amp, making it more than adequate to power and charge Smartphones and tablets. The first units will become available in April and can be pre ordered by visiting www.whosounds.com

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An Adventure In Space & Time filming pics

Our buddies over at Planet Mondas have posted some great on set photos from filming on the Mark Gatiss "genesis of Dr. Who" drama, An Adventure In Space & Time - click on the images for bigger versions. Pictured above are Brian Cox (The End of Time) as Sydney Newman and Jessica Raine (Phantom of the Hex) as Verity Lambert. These photographs are reproduced here with permission from Planet Mondas.

Visit the Planet Mondas forum HERE

Earlier today, the Daleks were caught filming on Westminster Bridge in London - watch a report from the special's writer, Mark Gatiss, in the player below.

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50th Anniversary Director announced

Today at the Glasgow Film Festival, director Nick Hurran announced he will be back behind the camera for the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special. The episode, which will also be broadcast in 3D, will be written by Steven Moffat and starts shooting in April. Hurran has some excellent previous experience on the show having helmed The Girl Who Waited, The God Complex, Asylum of the Daleks and The Angels Take Manhattan.

The director added that he is "over the moon" about shooting the special, rumoured to be ninety minutes, in 3D.

Thanks to Jon Melville

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The Blogtor Who Top 50 - No. 41

Here it is! Blogtor's personal countdown of his 50 favourite Doctor Who television stories, one a week till the big day in November 2013. Now, just to point out, this choice is purely my own. So don't expect reasoned debate or objectivity. Or even the need to please every fan out there. This is my list, and I stand by it. I will also add that I've seen every Doctor Who story released (at least twice), so I feel like I know what I'm talking about. Anyway, enough chittle of the chattle, let's begin...

Logopolis
First broadcast 28/2-21/3/81 starring Tom Baker

Like a few stories in the Top 50, this one left a huge impression on my seven year old mind. There are so many truly memorable moments and images in Tommy B's last hurrah that really make Logopolis stand out (despite some shortcomings in other areas).

Right from the off, we get a TARDIS inside a TARDIS! If Twitter had existed at the time, I'm sure #mind #blown would have been employed tenfold. Coupled with the noise of the Cloister Bell, it made for an utterly terrifying experience. Not only that, the flippin' Master was back!

This was my first encounter with the bearded one (well, actually, second - he did appear in The Keeper of Traken) and whilst he didn't scare me as such, the effects of his Tissue Compression Eliminator certainly gave me the willies. The miniaturised versions of the poor policeman and Aunt Vanessa (and, later, the Logopolitan) were truly horrific (though one has to wonder, as many others have no doubt, how a Tissue Compression Eliminator shrinks clothes).

But the thing that put the fear into me the most in Logopolis was The Watcher - one of Who's creepiest creations. It's a cracking image, seeing it at the side of the most mundane road and then on the bridge, beckoning The Fourth Doctor. Of course, the twist that he was "the Doctor all the time" is sublime.

In fact, that last scene, where the moment had been prepared for, is an absolute cracker. Some fans bemoan the fact that he simply falls to his "death" in an unusually brave and action-y move for that particular regeneration and they may have a point. It's quite low-key. Tommy B's final seconds are punctuated by some familiar (and some odd) faces (a tool they would resurrect again for Petey D) but it's the framing of his "passing" that it make such a treat.

There's a beautiful move from the camera as it tilts down onto Baker, through the steel legs of the satellite dish - accompanied by a fantastic score. And then he's joined by all his new, young buddies. The show was changing in a huge, huge way. Davison's appearance, via The Watcher, still impresses today (or, rather, yesterday when I watched it again) and his wordless seconds are all the better for it.

Elsewhere in Logopolis there's much to enjoy; such as the titular planet, the "science", the audacity of The Master ("peoples of the universe etc...") and the introduction of one of my favourite companions ever, Tegan. What strikes me now is the relationship between Adric and the Time Lord, they're almost equals, working as a team. The affection between them wouldn't last (with much bickering between the Fifth Doctor and the Alzarian), however, but it's odd to think of Baker and Waterhouse engaging with one another so well.

It's not a perfect story, by no means, but sits here because of its impact on me. Logopolis is packed full of memories and is one I come back to time again. It also bade farewell to the man who scared me just as much as any monster on the show did, Mr Tom Baker.


See Nos. 50-42 HERE

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Tee Offers!

There are TWO fab Doctor Who Tee offers today! Our chums over at TeeFury have got another great Doctor Who t~shirt for sale - for 24 hours only! Titled Tardis Express, the design is available worldwide for $10 - visit the site HERE.

Our buddies over at RIPT Apparel have got another great Doctor Who t~shirt for sale - for 24 hours only! Titled Time and Relative Dimension in Space, the design is available worldwide for $10 - visit the site HERE! It's also available in kids sizes, a fleece hoody, a onesie and in prints, coasters and iPhone cases!

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Who to air day after in Poland & SA

BBC Worldwide Channels have announced today that new Doctor Who episodes will air just one day after its UK debut in both Poland and South Africa. The second part of Series Seven will air on UK screens on 30th March 2013 and will transmit the following day, 31st March, on BBC Entertainment in South Africa at 19:00 and in Poland on BBC Entertainment in at 18:00. 

Both BBC America (USA) and SPACE (Canada) have announced they will air just hours after the UK transmission. Visit the Blogtor Who Guide to Doctor Who Series 7 Part HERE for pics, clips and news.

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Top 10 Kisses From The Doctor

To "celebrate" Valentine's Day (which falls on Feb 14 this year fact fans*), Blogtor has put together a very special list. In the player above you'll find a video featuring The Top Ten Kisses From The Doctor. So, have a glass of wine/soda/water, sit back and enjoy the gob~on~gob action from over the years...

Thanks to Cameron K McEwan

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New Who footage in BBC Drama showreel

A new showreel highlighting the upcoming drama content from the BBC was revealed last night and it featured some new footage from Doctor Who Series 7 Part 2 - watch it in the player below. At an event held in London it was also announced that the 50th Anniversary Special would be broadcast in 3D. Steven Moffat, the current showrunner, said: “It's about time. Technology has finally caught up with Doctor Who and your television is now bigger on the inside. A whole new dimension of adventure for the Doctor to explore."

PLEASE NOTE: The original music on the trailer (The Wonder of You by Elvis) has been replaced with a slightly less copyright infringing tune.

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Ice Warriors return in Series 7

In what is hardly a surprise (hear what Matt Smith had to say back in June last year), but is hugely pleasing nonetheless, The Ice Warriors return to Doctor Who, SFX revealed today. The Mars bad boys return in the third episode of Series 7 Part 2, written by Mark Gatiss and directed by Douglas Mackinnon. It also stars David Warner (Tron, Doctor Who: Dreamland) and Liam Cunningham (Game of Thrones.

SFX article

The Blogtor Who Guide to Doctor Who Series 7 

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TARDIS in The Simpsons

The most recent episode of long-running animated show The Simpsons featured the TARDIS, which a clip in the player below. Season 24 Episode 12 aired on Sunday Feb 10, 2013, but this is not the first time Doctor Who has been referenced on the show.

Watch the Daleks in another episode of The Simpsons HERE. Doctor Who has also popped up in Matt Groening's other show, Futurama - watch some clips HERE and HERE.

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Moffat: Matt Smith is "not going"

Yesterday, at the BFI screening of The Tomb of the Cybermen, Steven Moffat revealed that Matt Smith will be back to work on Doctor Who after his filming stint on How To Catch A Monster. During his introduction of the classic Patrick Troughton story, the current showrunner stated that Matt is "not going" (not leaving the show, that is) and will "be back" after shooting the Ryan Gosling-directed movie.

Smith resumes filming on Doctor Who in April for the 50th Anniversary special, then shoots How To Catch A Monster in May and then returns to the UK to film the 2013 Christmas Special.

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