Steve Roberts of the Doctor Who Restoration Team announced on the RT's forum an interesting discovery this week while trying to find a clean print of the Colin Baker title sequence. "Finally tracked down a clean copy of both the opening and closing sequences on a tape logged under the 'Revelation of the Daleks' programme number," says Roberts, "listed on the library system as containing Philpott File & Dr. Who Titles - which indeed it did. But what the computer failed to say was that it also included an 80 minute compilation of studio recording material from 'Revelation' - basically a loose pull-together of all the material which would require video effects treatment. This includes some of the film sequences, including clapperboards and alternate takes of the model shots of the destruction of Tranquil Repose. There's a lovely little shot of Davros having a drink of water between takes, a BBC paper cup clasped in his good hand..." Hopefully we'll see some of this on an upcoming DVD release in good time.

Dr Who's grandson ready to exterminate opposition is the headline for an article that appeared in the May 12Daily Telegraph online, focusing on Jim Troughton, cricket player and grandson of the late second Doctor, Patrick Troughton. Says the article: "When your grandfather has defeated the Daleks and scattered the Cybermen, the prospect of engaging battle with Australian cricketers is unlikely to send you cowering behind the sofa in terror. They may be a dastardly enemy but by the time the next Ashes series comes round, there is every chance England's hopes of victory against the fearsome forces from Down Under may be boosted by a new weapon in the shape of Jim Troughton's trusty willow." Read the rest of it by clicking here.

Doctor Who was voted the most missed television programme in the UK in a survey by the electrical retailer Dixons. 500 customers were asked to vote for the show they wished would come back, restricted to shows that they had not seen for five years. Doctor Who was at #1, followed by Dallas at #2, Blake's 7 at #3, The Goodies at #4 and The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin at #5. The other shows on the list, in order: Just Good Friends, Starsky and Hutch, 3-2-1, Tiswas, Not the Nine O'clock News, Treasure Hunt, The Muppets, Rent-A-Ghost, The Waltons, Man About the House, Hong Kong Phooey, The Adventure Game, Mork and Mindy, Jim'll Fix It, and Bod. (Thanks to Guy Clapperton, Callum Macfarlane)

Jean-Marc & Randy Lofficier's The Doctor Who Programme Guide, long a staple of Doctor Who collections worldwide, has finally been reprinted by iUniverse. Says the press release: "The Programme Guide first appeared in 1981, and immediately established itself as the single, most important reference work about Doctor Who, and was reissued / updated twice in 1989 and 1994. This fourth, revised edition was again updated to include the television movie starring Paul McGann. This new edition also restores the original foreword written by Barry Letts in 1981." Click on the cover illustration at right for a larger version. (Thanks to Jean-Marc Lofficier)

BBC 1 Controller Lorraine Heggessey has gone on record about the future of Doctor Who in a letter to controller Ian Wheeler of the Doctor Who Appreciation Society. In the letter, published in the new issue of DWAS' periodicalCelestial Toyroom, Heggessey says, "Dr. Who is a classic BBC format, beloved by millions, myself included! If there was a refreshing, affordable treatment for a new series avilable and we could navigate ourselves around some potentially troublesome rights' issue, then I would consider reviving the series. It's only a wish, there is nothing substantial to back things up so I don't want to raise false hopes with die-hard fans! Suffice to say that Dr Who has its fans among my commisioning team, most of whom spent the 70s behind the sofa on Saturday evenings too!" Wheeler tells Outpost Gallifrey, "I think Lorraine Heggessey's honesty is refreshing. It means we can enjoy the anniversary without worrying about whether there will or will not be a new series this year." In addition to the exclusive with Heggessey, the new CT features an interview with Paul McGann. (Thanks to Ian Wheeler/DWAS)