Having been first to break the news yesterday of Billie Piper's confirmed departure from Doctor Who, today's issue ofThe Sun states that "Former Crossroads stunner Freema Agyeman was last night revealed to be the front-runner to replace Billie Piper in Doctor Who. Freema, 26, will appear in the final two episodes of the BBC1 sci-fi's current series playing the character Adeola. She joins the Timelord - played by David Tennant - and his sidekick Rose Tyler in battle against the dreaded Cybermen. Insiders say Freema, will join the Doctor in the Tardis full-time in the third series after her appearance in the episodes called Army Of Ghosts and Doomsday. ... The highlight of Freema's career so far has been playing seductress Lola Wise in doomed ITV soap Crossroads in 2001. She said: 'I loved playing Lola. She was an 18-year-old girl with a lot of angst. She wanted to sleep with all the boys and have fun.' The Londoner, who left Middlesex University with a BA Honours degree in Performing Arts and Design, also appeared in Casualty, The Bill and Silent Witness. Last night a BBC source said: 'Freema is a fantastic actress. She is great in the final episode. And she is more than capable of stepping into Billie's shoes to play the Doctor's new cohort. No one knew Billie could act before we gave her the job — and she has proved to be a sensation.' Freema, who also studied at Radford University in Virginia in America, could join the Timelord in new adventures that will see them meeting Shakespeare in the third series. Filming starts in just five weeks. ... Last night a BBC spokeswoman refused to confirm Freema was taking over from Billie as Dr Who's sidekick. Other names linked to the role include former EastEnder Michelle Ryan (Zoe Slater). She is believed to have auditioned with show bosses for the part."

The Daily Express has the next rumour - the paper reports that Nikki Sanderson, who has appeared in Coronation Street, is in the running for the part. The Mirror, which has been running "Billie Quits" stories for 15 months, today takes her to task for telling "lies" about staying in the show ("Who's been a Silly Billie", link here): "Looks like Billie's been giving Pinocchio a run for his money in the longnose stakes. Tut, tut." The paper also says that Piper has "stunned TV bosses" who "begged her to stay" but she "did not want to become typecast". (The Daily Star is also claiming an "exclusive" today that Billie Piper will leave Doctor Who at the end of Series Two, reported widely yesterday)

There is no word on whether any of these are in the show's plans for future episodes; however, several sources have told Outpost Gallifrey that, as noted yesterday, the departure of Billie Piper has been in the planning stages since last fall (so there would have been ample time for the show to replace Piper, if such an event is happening in the final episodes... though no word as yet on whether a new companion would be introduced this year or next.) Also reported at Sky News, Ananova.

Confirming rumors that have been flying around for months, BBC Wales has issued apress release today that Billie Piper will be leaving her role as Rose Tyler at the end of the current series. "Billie Piper who has played Rose Tyler, the feisty young companion of both the ninth and tenth doctors, will leave Doctor Who in a nail biting series two finale. Over the past two years Rose has been on an adventure of a lifetime, travelling across the galaxy with the Doctor. She's visited far-off futuristic cities in the year five billion and beyond; landed on space stations where she's been a contestant in a deadly version of ‘The Weakest Link'; travelled back in time and met Queen Victoria, Charles Dickens, Madame de Pompadour and her dead father; she has battled against the Doctor's deadliest foes the Daleks and Cybermen; taken on Slitheen, Sycorax and Krillitanes and survived the end of the world and the blitz. Now, in what is set to be the TARDIS's most terrifying adventure, The Doctor and Rose will face their biggest challenge to date. Back on Earth the human race rejoices as the ghosts of loved ones return home. But as the Doctor, Rose and Jackie investigate Torchwood Tower, a trap is being sprung; an almighty invasion is being put into motion which is set to destroy the whole of modern-day Earth."

The press release continues: "Billie Piper says: 'Rose and I have gone on the most incredible journey with Russell T Davies and the cast and crew of Doctor Who over the past two years. It has been an amazing adventure, and I can confirm it comes to an end, for now at least, as series two climaxes. I am truly indebted to Russell for giving me the chance to play Rose Tyler, and to all the Doctor Who fans old and new who have been so supportive of me in this amazing role. Thank you so much.' Russell T Davies writer and Executive producer adds: 'It has been a wonderful experience working with Billie -- we will miss her -- and wish her all the success in the world for her future. However, the Doctor Who team have had a whole year to plan this final scene and have created a stunning exit for Rose Tyler. The Doctor lives a dangerous life and when Rose joined him on his adventures she was aware of this. With a series climax called Doomsday on its way, I can't guarantee who will survive and who won't, but I can assure you the TARDIS is going on its scariest journey yet!' Since taking on the role of Rose Tyler, Billie has received both critical and popular acclaim. She was awarded The National Television Award for ‘Most Popular Actress' 2005 and The South Bank Show's ‘Breakthrough Award for Rising British Talent'. Billie is currently filming the BBC's adaptation of multi award-winning writer Philip Pullman's The Ruby In The Smoke in which she plays the title role, Sally Lockhart. Filming on the second novel The Shadow In The North will commence later this summer. Doctor Who series three also starts filming again later this summer and will return to our screens with a Christmas special in 2006 and another series of 13 episodes for 2007."

There have been rumors circulated for nearly a year that Piper would be leaving at some point during the second series;Dreamwatch magazine originally made this statement last summer, though its report was discounted, while various tabloids suggested that Piper's tenure on the series would come to an end this year. Some news outlets are reporting the character might be killed off, although the BBC Wales press release suggests an air of mystery and does notstate that Rose will be killed (taking Piper's comments that her trip "comes to an end" somewhat literally), although the release does ask the question, "Does saving the world mean the death of Rose Tyler?" (noting that "Billie Piper who has played Rose Tyler - the feisty young companion of the ninth and tenth doctors - will leave Doctor Who in a nail-biting series two finale"). The "death" report appears to originate in the Sun's early report today, being merely speculative. However, the production is being very strict about information regarding the finale; in fact, there may be no advance press screening of "Doomsday" to prevent the surprise from being released.

There are rumors elsewhere that this was a recent decision (including speculation on some fan sites that this was a dispute over money) although Outpost Gallifrey has been told that Piper's departure was planned as early as last autumn and that the script for "Doomsday" as originally written did contain the departure for the character (instead of a hasty rewrite that would have been needed if it had been a recent choice). A new co-star for David Tennant will likely be seen in the 2006 Christmas special.

The official Doctor Who website is carrying this story. The first report came from The Sun, and it has been reported today at a variety of sources including BBC News, CBBC News, The Times, Ananova, Manchester Evening News, Daily Mail, The Scotsman, Irish Examiner, Sky Showbiz, The Is London, Evening Echo, Ireland Online, The Stage, Hollywood News, Waveguide, Daily Mail, EntertainmentWise, U.TV,ITV, ITN, RTE,Contact Music, Edinburgh News. Also CBBCNews is asking viewers, "Are you gutted?" with reader responses to be posted soon. (Thanks to all of our readers who have been sending in news clips all day!)

Series Two Coming to Canada?

There appears to be movement on the CBC Website in Canada, with clues pointing to possible good news for Canadian fans in the near future. Says one of our correspondents, "For the longest time the CBC's Doctor Who website was fronted by a page for the Christmas Invasion. Last week I noticed that the page had been replaced by a white screen with text saying something like 'Link Disconnected. Transmission interrupted...' (I can't remember the exact verbage). Today, I notice there is a new Macromedia Flash page up there with the TARDIS parked on a landscape looking very much like the Apple Grass fields of New Earth. There are no links are any text whatsoever, but something tells me that along with the impending end to the Stanley Cup playoffs, there may soon be an announcement of Series Two in Canada." The website's Flash animation is indeed a photo from "New Earth". Meanwhile, there are repeats (presumably of series one) starting June 20 at midnight.

Australia DVD Confusion

We've had several reports from fans in Australia that EzyDVD is listing a "Complete First Season Boxed Set" with all of the 1963 Doctor Who episodes on it, including the missing ones! Alas, this seems to be merely an issue of confusion on the retailer's part, as there are no plans for this boxed set, for obvious reasons!

Sycorax Sword Charity Auction

Lancasters Armourie is auctioning the original prototype of the Sycorax sword in aid of Great Ormand Street Hospital. Says the information sent to us, "As if owning this unique piece of Doctor Who merchandise wasn't enough Lancasters have been aided in their fundraising effort by the generosity BBC Wales and actors David Tennant and Sean Gilder who have provided their signatures for engraving on the blade. The sword will be auctioned via ebay and Lancasters tell us they 'are not shy about the fact that we want this to make as much money for GOSHCC as possible.'" Says Clive Lankford of Lancasters Armourie, "Last year our company made the swords for TCI. We are now selling the prototype with all of the proceeds going to the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity. This sword was due to go on sale at Easter this year but was held up as we were short of the most important signature... I now have them both on the sword and it is up on eBay. ... This sale is not just for UK peeps I have advertised it worldwide on eBay and as long as the winner pays the postage I will send it any where." You can find the auction by going to eBay (direct link) while Lancasters Armourie also have their own websiteas well.

Love & Monsters Pre-Publicity

Publicity for this weekend's episode began almost immediately after The Satan Pit had finished, with a 20-second trailerairing on BBC One between Casualty and Viva Blackpool last Saturday. The trailer, which has been shown every day this week, uses the same selection of clips as the 'Next Time' sequence shown at the end of The Satan Pit, but culminates in an appearance by Peter Kay as the Abzorabaloff; the trailer can be seen via the officialwebsite.

On Tuesday, the new Radio Times concentrated on, as its cover announced, "Peter Kay joins Doctor Who as the 'orrible Abzorbaloff!" Two pages of Doctor Who Watch, "Careful What You Wish For", was illustrated with several photgraphs of Kay as or being made up as the Abzorbaloff. The accompanying article deals with the monster's origins in last summer's Blue Peter Design a Monster competition, and notes that during his set visit contest winner Wiliam's reaction to the creature was "Oh. It was supposed to be the size of a double-decker bus." Russell T Davies responded that William "didn't actually say that on your bit of paper". Davies also says of the episode: "Very different: different style, different feel. It's an experimental script. Not so experimental that people will run away screaming from Saturday-night BBC1, because you can experiment too much." As usual, Doctor Who also featured in the magazine's recommendations for the week's best television, as Drama of the Week ("Quirky, atypical episode that takes a sad turn. Peter Kay plays a gross baddie, and Marc Warren is terrific as an obsessive who finds love") and again as Pick of the Day for Saturday: "Marc Warren ... turns in a terrific, sparkling performance as a shy, sweet and naive geek who finds love. ... Davies has fashioned a curious, elegaic and rather sad exploration of love and loss in which the Doctor and Rose play only peripheral parts. ... It's a highly unusual episode, full of Davies's trademark quirks." The Saturday listings pages also have a couple more shots of the Abzorbaloff in action, the listing itself reading: "An ordinary Joe's obsession with the Doctor and Rose turns into a nightmare at the hands of an enigmatic being." Elsewhere in the magazine, former Doctor Tom Baker is quoted as saying, "I did watch a little bit of the new Doctor Who an I think ... Tennant is excellent. My only disappointment is that they didn't ask me back. I would have liked to play the Master." Russell T Davies meanwhile also crops up in a feature on Battlestar Galactica, which begins on Sky Three next week; for Davies, BG "does everything I want a sci-fi show to do, which is to treat its audience quite respectfully."

The Observer was among the Sunday papers looking ahead to Love & Monsters, with its television Pick of the Day for next Saturday saying: "Forget those who would try and tell you that Doctor Who is for kids: Russell T Davies's revived sci-fi stalwart and its new star, the very suitable David Tennant, only get better as this second series goes on. Initially at least, the thrill and chill factors which ran high through last week's ... Satan Pit have been taken down a notch in Love and Monsters. Davies wrote the episode himself, and it is shot through with that humorous, self-referential charm which have made the series such a gem."

The Sun says, "It's monster munch...as Doctor Who dangles a big steak in front of his latest foe. The Time Lord (David Tennant) tries to lure the vile alien with the piece of meat in upcoming episode Love and Monsters. It stars comic Peter Kay, left, as evil, power-fuelled maniac Victor Kennedy -who turns out to be hiding a big secret. It's the Doctor and sidekick Rose (Billie Piper) who come to the rescue as usual. So the alien isn't pleased to meat them..."

CBBC features Lizo's review of the next episode: "Love & Monsters is the most bizarre episode since the series returned last year. There's not much of the Doctor and Rose in it, and the story instead focuses on a new character called Elton. He's trying to find out more about the mysterious Doctor, and joins a group called L.I.N.D.A. where all the members meet regularly to swap the latest information about him. The series is really carried by the Doctor and Rose, so when I heard that they didn't appear much, I was seriously worried. I had no need to though. Love & Monsters is a superb episode, and one of the best of the series. Writer Russell T. Davies manages to make us quickly fall in love with the group of Doctor-obsessed characters on whom the episode centres. And there are plenty of laughs even before funnyman Peter Kay turns up as the sinister Victor Kennedy. The people who'll get most out of this story are those who've watched it regularly last year - there are flashbacks to the events of some previous stories. And, of course, quick mentions of both Torchwood and Bad Wolf. There are even a few songs. No, really. With the members of L.I.N.D.A. belting out a few numbers by 70s band The Electric Light Orchestra. It might sound like a bit of a mess, but thanks to Russell T. Davies's sparkling script it ends up as a hugely enjoyable show about Dr Who, rather than a straight Dr Who adventure. ... Four and a half out of five."

The official Doctor Who website assumed its Love & Monsters guise from around midday on Tuesday, with the usual updated homepage and photo gallery. The Tardisode and trailer were put up on Saturday, along with commentary, video diaries and more photos for The Satan Pit, and a new 'Escape the Ood' game.

The Abzorbaloff will also feature on Blue Peter on Wednesday 14 June at 5pm, this edition showing William's set visit to see the monster he designed in action.

TV Schedules and Coverage

The red-button commentary for The Satan Pit was unavailable for Freeview users again on Sunday, despite being advertised in Radio Times, on the official site and, once again, by that evening's continuity announcer on BBC Three. Unlike for previously absent commentaries, both Freeview BBCi channels were empty at the time of the episode's transmission. In fact, out of 18 Sunday and Friday evening repeats, 8 have not had the advertised commentary on Freeview. Digital satellite users have been luckier, with the commentary available for virtually every episode, one notable exception being the Friday repeat of The Age of Steel on 26 May, during which BBCi reran Rise of the Cybermen with commentary. All the commentary 'podcasts' remain available for download from the official site and via iTunes.

BBC Three's repeat schedule has also continued to be rather erratic, particularly in comparison to last year's more fixed schedules for the programme. Late-night (Sunday/Monday) repeats of the full-length Doctor Who Confidentialinstalments have now been reinstated, just in time this week to compensate for Confidential beginning on BBC Three on Saturday three minutes before The Satan Pit had actually finished on BBC One. This has happened twice before (affecting the third and seventh editions of Confidential), but this was by far the worst instance, since Confidential overlapped not just the end titles and the 'Next Time' trailer but actually managed to coincide with the final few scenes of the episode proper. This weekend (Saturday 17 June), a random showing of the third edition of Confidential (Friends Reunited) has been scheduled to follow the regular tenth edition, The Look of Who.

Next week, BBC Three is running another brief catch-up season on weekday evenings. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 19-21 June) will see fourth outings for The Age of Steel, The Idiot's Lantern and The Impossible Planet at 7pm, followed at 7.45pm by the relevant Cut Down Confidentials. No episode will be screened on Thursday, but The Satan Pit and Love & Monsters comprise a double bill from 9pm, after another live World Cup football match. No Confidential repeats are scheduled to accompany these episode repeats. Thursday's Totally Doctor Who (22 June) is scheduled for only 20 minutes according to Radio Times, again because of football, although the RT website has it listed for its usual 25 minutes, from 5.05pm, after a live soccer match.

Dead Ringers on Monday 5 June included a one-minute sketch in which the tenth Doctor accurately predicted lines and events based on his reading of spoilers in the Radio Times and preview clips on Totally and Confidential. Billie Piper's advertised appearance on GMTV's Entertainment Today on Friday 9 June turned out to be fleeting. The Satan Pit was promoted on BBC One on the Friday and Saturday with a ten-second trailer.

Doctor Who returned to the Netherlands on June 10, with the Dutch broadcasting group VARA broadcasting the series on Nederland 3 weekly at 19.00. "Rose Tyler meets a mysterious alien who goes by the name the Doctor and her life is never more the same. Soon she reaches the discovery that her mother, her friend and the complete planet is in danger. The only rescue is in a strange small blue police box." (That's the literal translation!)

The Satan Pit Follow-Up

The Guardian said this past weekend, "Let's be honest: series 2, so far, has been a bit of a bumpy ride. Even the Cybermen failed to rise to the occasion, and Chris Eccleston's tenure already feels like the halcyon days. Simply, this is no longer essential Saturday night viewing, and that's just wrong. So storylines like these are as welcome as a monogamous, straight-talking politician. With the planet heading toward the black hole, Rose takes on the Ood, as the Doctor makes the ultimate sacrifice. More like this please, and quickly."

The Forester says of scenes filmed for "The Satan Pit," "Clearwell Caves boss Jonathan Wright and his children won't dare hide behind the sofa on Saturday when they hear the Doctor Who theme tune. They will be glued to the screen to see the tourist attraction get prime time BBC1 coverage. Scenes for the episode The Impossible Planet were filmed in the bowels of the caves, where the doctor is confronted by the Devil who has been locked in a pit for millions of years. Jonathan says his 10-year-old daughter Beatrix and her little brother Wilfrid, six, were already big fans of the revived show before new time lord David Tennant called in for his second film shoot. He was there last year filming for the Christmas special. 'It's really made it special for the children having met the stars,' said Jonathan. 'The producers were very secretive this time so it will be interesting for us to see what he finds. They were shooting in our biggest cavern.' The episode, which is the second part of The Impossible Planet, is screened at 7pm on Saturday."

US Transmission Concludes

TV Guide said of the US finale, "The Parting of the Ways," "Wow! The Doctor survived the Daleks, a moral crisis, and the absorption of the time vortex to save the Earth. Just to finish up, he regenerated into a new identity with new teeth. What more can you ask for from a season finale? Not since 1969's 'The War Games' has there been such a satisfying regeneration episode. It began with the Doctor coming to save Rose from the Daleks, who never doubted him for a moment. ('I did,' he quipped.)This led to a face-to-face encounter with the Dalek Emperor, who resembled a pickled squid sans the charm. But the Doctor knew the Daleks feared him. (They gave the Doc the nickname 'The oncoming storm.') And the little pepper shaker bastards had every reason to---for the Doctor had come up with a way to kill them all: the Delta Wave. Trouble was, if he used it, he'd kill everyone on Earth as well (including Rose). 'If I am god of all creation,' taunted the Emperor, 'What does that make you, Doctor?' ... No argument here. I will miss Christopher Eccleston's juxtaposition of all-over-the-place energy and cold resolve. As Rose told Jackie and Mickey, this Doctor showed how life should be lived. (Indeed his hologram message to Rose ended with him wishing her a good life.) He had wit, charisma, guts up the wazoo, coolness under pressure and brains beyond comprehension. What more can you ask for? Can't wait to see Eccleston as Number Six in ITV's new version of The Prisoner. Of course Eccleston had help from the writer. The brilliance of a script can often be found in the number of great little snips of dialogue and situations. Russell Davies's was packed with them. ... This show is THAT gooooood. Just one minor quibble. How is it that Rose survived exposure to the Time Vortex and the Doctor didn't? (I know he regenerated, but she didn't.) David Tennant is now our Doctor with the new teeth. He said something about Barcelona (the planet, not the Spanish city where Manuel came from). I'm lucky in that I have copies of Tennant's first season, and I can say without fear of reproach that he too kicks ass in the Time Lord department. We also get to see the return of Harriet Jones, MP-turned-PM. I can't wait to blab about those adventures. Until then, I thank you for indulging me these last several months. I learned a lot, particularly that I couldn't ask for a better group of blog pals. Screw American Idol---we Whovians rule, thank you very much."

More US press coverage of the finale: the Cincinnati Enquirer called the episode its "Must See", while USA Todaycalls it "an easy-to-enjoy British import starring Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper. For his last adventure, the Doctor tries to save the universe without sacrificing Earth or himself." ZAP-2-ITsaid, "the long-running British series that returned to the U.K. airwaves in 2005 (and subsequently to the States earlier this year) wraps up its season tonight. The fate of the universe is resting in the Doctor's (Christopher Eccleston) hands -- and he is forced to decide whether to sacrifice every human being on Earth so that the evil Daleks are finally stopped. In the meantime, Rose (Billie Piper) is sent home to London; unhappy with this arrangement, she uses the TARDIS to find the Doctor again, and hijinks ensue. As with every other season of 'Doctor Who,' this episode sets us up for a whole new Doc -- though Eccleston was pretty cool, I must say." And TV Guide said, "Holy space opera! The good news is that the Daleks have found religion. The bad news: those overturned trash cans are still lethal, and hell-bent on turning Earth into their idea of heaven. Tonight's season fnale has everything a sci-fi fan could hope for from a TV series: drama, humor, action and surprises — ranging from the jaw-dropping Dalek siege to our beloved heroes making some truly heart-wrenching decisions. Sit down and strap in because this TARDIS ride is going to be bumpy one."

People

David Tennant and Billie Piper say that "they are getting such big names on the show, they can take a back seat. Billie said: 'We've got Peter Kay coming up soon as a villain and the lovely Marc Warren. We're not even in those episodes so much.' They said the next episode, called The Satan Pit, was 'as dark as it gets' staying in line with the rennaisance in the programme and its fan base. Tennant added that there is also a very exciting episode coming up that he described as 'The Exorcist meets Brookside'. And as to rumours that Billie is planning to leave the show, she dismissed them as pure speculation. She said: 'Well I've never actually said that I am leaving or anything like that but every time there is a new series, the same old stories come out.' Tennant joked: 'No it is true, wee Jimmy Krankie is taking over soon'." Reported atITV, ITN, and Channel 4.

Billie Piper and Julie Walters are to star in a BBC1 adaptation of Philip Pullman's The Ruby In The Smoke, the first book in a quartet that charts the adventures of Sally Lockhart (Piper), a feisty young Victorian heroine. It's adapted by Bafta-winning writer Adrian Hodges, directed by Brian Percival (North & South, Clocking Off). The Lancashire Evening Postasks, "Who's that girl visiting a Lancashire coastal landmark? Pop star turned actress Billie Piper was at Sunderland Point, near Lancaster, to film her latest TV drama – but this time she left the Tardis at home. Billie, who plays Rose Tyler in Doctor Who, is also starring in new Victorian drama The Ruby in the Smoke. The series, based on a book by multi award-winning writer Philip Pullman, also stars BAFTA-winning actress and comedian Julie Walters. Billie plays Sally Lockhart, described as a 'feisty heroine on a journey to discover the truth behind her father's death.' The Ruby in the Smoke is said to be a 'gripping tale of mystery, danger, puzzling letters and a jewel soaked in blood.'" The Daily Star notes that "Life is a drag for Billie Piper as she films her new telly drama. . . dressed as a Victorian heroine. The Doctor Who babe, 23, looked like she was stuck in a timewarp yesterday as she recorded scenes for new BBC drama The Ruby In The Smoke. She plays super-sleuth Sally Lockhart in the TV adaptation of the Philip Pullman novels. Billie was snapped yesterday enjoying a sneaky ciggie on the set near Morecambe, Lancs." People also says "Lovely Billie Piper appears totally laidback while filming her latest BBC telly role. The Doctor Who beauty, 23, bent over backwards as she waiting to go in front of the cameras. An onlooker said: 'Billie looked amazingly supple as she warmed up. She seemed to ease backwards like a super-fit gymnast.' But Billie, who plays a Victorian orphan in the period drama Ruby In The Smoke, pulled off another remarkable twist. She wore curlers and hairnet in between takes in Morecambe, Lancs - without looking awful!" Piper also appeared on last Friday's GMTV's 'Entertainment' show on Friday Morning.

The Sun says that Piper "wants to take time out from her acting career to backpack around India and Africa. The Doctor Who actress is keen to explore more of the world - and doesn't want to do it in five star style. She told OK!: 'I'd like to travel. I've done a bit but I want to explore India and Africa and have a proper experience. I don't just want to go for ten days, I want to go for three weeks or a month and just live it and experience it all.' Billie, 23, has already seen much of the world with former hubby Chris Evans but now says she wants to do 'the traveller thing'. She said: 'I don't see the point in going to these incredible places and then staying in luxury hotels with air-con and room service. I really want to get to the heart of it all and slum around which will be so much more fun.' She added: 'I definitely need a couple of months off which I'm looking forward to. I want to allocate a considerable amount of time to travelling and then come back and hopefully get a job.'"

William Russell (Ian Chesterton from the first years of the classic series) was featured on the BBC's Saturday afternoon coverage of the first England World Cup 06 game ("World Cup: Match of the Day Live"), which began with Russell narrating the Henry V rallying the troops speech.

Tom Baker tells the Daily Express that "he may have left the Tardis in 1981 when he regenerated into Peter Davison, but he now wants to come back as the Doctor's arch enemy The Master. 'I think the new fellow, David Tennant is excellent, ' says Tom, 72, now narrator of cult comedy Little Britain. 'My only disappointment is that they didn't ask me back to play [renegade Timelord] The Master. He and the Doctor are like Holmes and Moriarty: two sides of the same man. That would turn a few heads.'"

Other Press Items

The Norfolk Eastern Daily Press said on June 8, "An army of evil monsters is heading to Norfolk with a mission to exterminate a world record. A summer invasion of Dr Who and other sci-fi characters is set to happen at Holt on June 24-25. And organisers are hoping to set the world record for the largest number of Daleks in one place. The current record stands at 57, and the Norfolk event hoped to smash that by attracting up to 100, said co-ordinator Nigel Pearce. The gathering, after a 1pm parade through town on the Sunday, will be checked by Guinness Book of Records officials and independent witnesses - town council chairman Philip High and council member Jean Corbett-Jarvis. 'They must be full size Daleks , between 5ft and 6ft tall, and stay in one place for 10 minutes,' explained Mr Pearce."

The Evening Herald says that "A Totnes youngster is to appear in the BBC1 television show Totally Doctor Who on Thursday. Catherine Roberts, aged 12, won the chance to be part of the TV spin-off show after proving that her knowledge of the hit science fiction series was second to none. The King Edward VI Community College, Totnes, pupil, who lives in South Brent, contacted Totally Doctor Who via email, with three interesting facts about the award-winning drama. Totally Doctor Who, presented by Liz Barker and Barney Harwood, returned Catherine's call and, following a telephone interview, invited her to take part in the Who Ru section of the show to discover the week's greatest Doctor Who superfan. The programme will be shown on BBC1 this Thursday at 5pm. 'Catherine was going mental just to get the phone call from the BBC to interview her,' said her father Mike Roberts. 'Despite being told that she'd have to wait until they interviewed other fans, they were back on the phone in about five minutes saying she would be on the programme.'"

The Winston-Salem Journal says that "In terms of longevity, it's hard to beat Doctor Who. The show has been around for 28 seasons, over the course of more than 40 years. And the lead character is still spry at the tender age of 900-something.... 'It's such a coveted brand for the BBC that, unlike some other properties, it's really monitored by a group that are Doctor Who specialists,' said Megan Branigan at BBC Home Video. Those specialists, the Doctor Who Restoration Team, painstakingly clean up prints of old episodes, find lost interviews and assemble bonus material for each DVD. The U.S. branch of BBC Video puts out eight DVDs a year in addition to occasional special releases. Two new DVDs of classic Who stories, Genesis of the Daleks and Revenge of the Daleks, were released this week. A second new season has already started in England, with David Tennant taking over as the 10th Doctor."

The Comet says, "Standing in the corner of a small factory is a figure that has ignited fear in children and become a famous figure in a cult TV series. The Dalek is an integral part of Dr Who, but now you don't need to be a time traveller to meet one of the monsters. One model is currently in Jack's Hill, Graveley, where it is undergoing industrial surgery to restore to pristine condition. The model is of vintage BBC stock having appeared in an edition over 30 years ago and now normally resides in the home of its owner in Stevenage. But for the owner of Finishline, Chris Bray, it is just another product that needs his urgent attention. Currently getting new coats of paint in his workshops alongside Dr Who's greatest enemy are a couple of racing Porches normally seen at the Nurburgring and worth a cool £250,000 each, and a classic of the 1960s a VW camper van that had spent all its life in the USA. 'I must say the Dalek has certainly attracted a lot of attention in the workshop,' said Mr Bray, from Upper Caldecote. 'People come in here and see the great cars we have being repaired and sprayed and then see the Dalek. It needed a lot of TLC. It is made out of wood and the filler had contracted so we have rebuilt it and it looks great. It belongs to a guy in Stevenage who has it as an ornament at home. It now looks as good as new and one guy who came in said it could be worth as much as 4,000.'"

The Evening Herald says, "Being killed by a Cyberman was a dream come true for a Plymouth sci-fi fan who featured in the latest series of Doctor Who. Jules Burt has been a fan of the series since he was a boy, so was overjoyed to be offered a walk-on part in the episode Rise of the Cybermen, which was aired on BBC1 in May. A dealer in sci-fi memorabilia, the 36-year-old from Lipson says acting is only a hobby but he could be swayed to take it up more seriously after his Doctor Who death scene. Jules is a member of city theatre group the Western College Players, and through an agent has snagged roles as an extra in a wide variety of projects, from movie King Arthur, with Keira Knightley, to Casualty and an advert for TSB. But it was his appearance as a cameraman in a party scene alongside David Tennant and Billie Piper that has most inspired him. He said: 'We filmed at midnight and it was very atmospheric. Eleven Cybermen crashed through sugarglass windows and more filled the doorways. I had to duck between them and try to escape. I had to pinch myself. I kept thinking 'I'm really in Doctor Who'. It was a once in a lifetime experience. The scene ended when I got grabbed by a Cyberman in the corridor. It took two hours to film - just me and the Cyberman. I had to scream and fall back on the crash mats when I died. It was brilliant.' While filming in Cardiff last November, Jules even had a chance meeting with the Doctor. 'I was queuing up at the burger bar and David Tennant was standing behind me. I got a snap with him and had a chat,' he said. He's a nice guy and we talked about how amazing it was to be there and how much he really enjoys being the Doctor. He's also been a fan of the show for years and like him, it's a dream come true to be in it.'"

The Bath Chronicle says "former Bath and Trowbridge student Will Thorp will be gracing the BBC's screens in yet another hit Saturday night show. He will appear in the second episode of a two-part special of cult favourite Dr Who. His first Dr Who appearance came last Saturday, when he was seen as a character named Toby, described as a nasty archaeologist, in an episode named The Impossible Planet, with this week's conclusion The Satan Pit. A former City of Bath College performing arts student, Thorp, 28, is best known for his role as Woody the paramedic in Casualty, from which he landed a place in last year's Strictly Come Dancing line-up. But working alongside the new doctor, David Tennant, is not his only experience of the time travelling Doctor. Thorp is currently touring the UK in a play alongside the sixth doctor, Colin Baker. The pair appear in Strangers On A Train, a psychological thriller which was made into a film in 1951 by Alfred Hitchcock. Thorp's memories of the Doctor are fond, and he said of his latest break: 'My character is one of a crew of space explorers trapped in this strange world when the Doc and Rose turn up.'"

A New Zealand tabloid, Sunday News, gets our award for most ludicrous news report: "Lucy Lawless is hot favourite to take over the Tardis and become the first female Dr Who. Current stars Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant are both relinquishing their Time Lord status after one series and the cult show is now considering the idea of 'guest doctors' Landing Lucy for the role would be a major coup for the BBC. She has a massive international following and even became a gay icon because of her screen relationship with her Xena: Warrior Princess sidekick Gabrielle, played by Renee O'Connor. While diehard fans would probably love to see the two together again as time travellers, it is likely Billie Piper would carry on her role as Rose. It's not know if there will be 'chemistry' between the new Doctor and Rose." Sorry, but this is bunk.

The Wigan Observer says that "An amazing time machine has materialised in a Wigan garden. Curious neighbours have been peeping through the privets after Doctor Who fanatic Ian Mellor unveiled his latest homage to the sci-fi series. His full sized Tardis, accurate in every detail, has taken six months of work to complete. Although painted in official police blue specially mixed for the project, its actually rather green – because he has constructed it almost entirely out of timber off-cuts sourced from building sites across the borough. Now Ian, 26, of Moor Road, Orrell, who continues to battle against ill health, hopes that the universe's most famous police box will follow the two Daleks he made and be captured by fellow Who'vian enthusiasts. Or it could even end up being snapped up by a Wigan store who want an unusual accessory in their foyer on which to advertise 'out of this world' prices. Ian says that the 'sheddy' structure of the Tardis made it a much easier proposition to build than the Daleks, with their tapered cylindrical shape, button mouldings and death ray plunger."

ITN says "A host of celebs have been telling us if they are supporting England this World Cup - and for Scottish actor David Tennant the choice is easy. The Dr Who star said: 'I don't get football it just leaves me cold. It's got nothing to do with England, Scotland anyone else, I just don't get it. I know there's the traditional Scottish thing that you can't support England but I've lived here for 12 years so I've got to try.'"

The Cambridge Evening News asked, "What would the late Mary Whitehouse (God rest 'er) have made of last week's Doctor Who episode -- surely the most terrifying thing seen on TV at 7 o'clock on a Saturday night since Chico did the Time Warp' ? I don't know what affect this was having on the nation's 10-year-olds, but Mr and Mrs Square Eyes were both hiding behind cushions at this point. (In Doctor Who, even doors can be scary ' especially when they start saying things like 'He is awake ' he bathes in the black sun.') Angry parents from Tunbridge Wells will no doubt be pinging off emails to Points of View as I speak, complaining about soggy mattresses and demands to sleep with the light on. But everyone knows that kids love to be scared. And television as thrilling and imaginative as this ' British television at that (think how many hours your little 'uns spend soaking up American 'cultural values') can only be a good thing. They should put Doctor Who on the national curriculum."

Other items: Now Playing Magazine reviews "The Impossible Planet" (link); the official site has created a "Guide to the Classic Series of Doctor Who";TV Squad, IF Magazine and UGO review "The Parting of the Ways"; BlogCriticsreviews "The Age of Steel" (link), "The Idiot's Lantern" (link) and "The Satan Pit" (link); the Daily Record calls volume two of the Series Two DVD releases their "Best Buy".

(Thanks to Paul Engelberg, Peter Weaver, John Bowman, Bas Pierik, Tristian Phipps, Rodney Hrvatin, Keith Armstrong, Paul Kirkley, Chris Clarke, Tom Jennings, Jonathan Grills, Tom Dart)

BBC Audiobooks has issued a full press release for the three audio CD readings of the recent Doctor Who novels The Feast of the Drowned, The Resurrection Casket and The Stone Rose due on 3 July. Details are below. (Thanks to Lucy Groom/BBC Audiobooks)

Coming soon from Panini Books is The Doctor Who Storybook 2007, a collection of illustrated stories featuring the tenth Doctor and Rose from the publishers of Doctor Who Magazine. The 80-page book will be released in August. The press release is below; click on the image at right for a larger version of the cover. (Thanks to Clayton Hickman at DWM)

Stephen Fry appears to have pulled out of his long-anticipated plans to write for the series' third season. In a recent chat hosted by the Douglas Adams Continuum website, Fry was asked about his episode, which had been pushed back to series three due to his schedule. His reply: "Ah, now, unfortunately, I've had to pull out of the Dr Who gig. Lack of time. I just couldn't find three minutes to string together. Barely enough time to go to the lavatory these days, let alone take on new projects. Sorry about that..."

Meanwhile, the official Doctor Who website says that plans are already "well underway" for series three. "At the BBC Worldwide Licensing Showcase event held this week in St Albans, Doctor Who's Executive Producer Julie Gardner gave the assembled delegates a few exciting hints about what's to come. 'We're in pre-production on Doctor Who 3', she said. 'We'll be filming for 34 weeks, beginning with a Christmas special.' Julie then went on to say that the TARDIS will be travelling into the future during the third series: '...and into the past, where we will meet Shakespeare - and why wouldn't you?!'" Filming on Series Three starts in July.

Ratings for the broadcast of the first season finale on the Sci Fi Channel, The Parting of the Ways, in America are in: the telecast scored a 1.14 household rating with an average of 1.4 million viewers. According to Outpost Gallifrey's source at the Sci Fi Channel, the first full season of the series averaged a 1.26 household rating, with an average audience of 1.5 million views. (Some other statistics for the season: the audience was 63% male, with a median age of 46 years, and scored a 1.00 rating in men ages 18-49 and a 0.62 rating in men 18-34.)

Though the ratings for the broadcast of the first series seem to have been lower than expected, that now doesn't appear to be the case. As reported at the Sci Fi Channel's own news service, Sci Fi Wire, "the new updated Doctor Who boosted SCI FI Channel's ratings on Friday nights by double digits, the network reported. The new version of Doctor Who, produced by the BBC, wrapped its first season on SCI FI on June 9. Doctor Who averaged a 1.3 household rating and 1.5 million total viewers in its 9 p.m. Friday timeslot, a 44 percent increase in ratings and a 54 percent increase in viewership over the same timeslot in the second quarter last year. In key demographics, Doctor Who averaged 778,000 viewers aged 18-49, a 57 percent increase over 2005, and 942,000 viewers aged 25-54, a 56 percent increase." The Futon Critic, a respected source of industry and media news noted the "double-digit ratings growth this quarter on Fridays from 9pm to 10pm versus the time period last year," referring to the fact that Doctor Who was a broadcast original for the network in a time period (March to June) when it normally shows reruns. (Until this series broadcast, Sci Fi's original Friday night series -- Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis and Battlestar Galactica -- broadcast in two halves, July through September for the first half of each season, and then January to March for the second half.)

What does this mean for Series Two? A pop-culture website called ICV2 today stated that "The second season will kick off in the U.S. on Sci Fi Channel in October." However, this appears to be simple speculation on the part of the website; Sci Fi has not announced any plans to purchase the second season of the series at this time, although it's a foregone conclusion that if it did, October would be a likely timeframe for it to be shown (as the Stargate shows end their half-season runs in September, while Galactica returns in October, presumably in its regular 10pm timeslot... with, theoretically, space for Doctor Who to run before each new episode at 9pm.) Outpost Gallifrey will keep you posted.

The final ratings for The Impossible Planet, broadcast a week ago Saturday, have been announced by the BARB: adjusted for time-shifted viewing, Doctor Who scored 6.32 million viewers, to be ranked #18 for the week in total series viewings and #8 in weekly series (allowing for multiple episodes of shows), after "Coronation Street" (which held the top ratings slot for the week of only 9.56 million viewers; all shows were skewed downward in total viewers with the onset of summer), "Match of the Day Live," "EastEnders," "New Tricks," "Heartbeat," "Emmerdale" and "Casualty".

In other ratings news: Doctor Who was first on BBC3 for the week ending 4 June, with the Sunday 4 June airing of "The Impossible Planet" scoring 689,000 viewers according to the BARB timeshifts, which also scored seventh on the list of total non-terrestial channel broadcasts for the week. The Saturday night broadcast of "Doctor Who Confidential" was second for the week on BBC3 with 551,000 viewers; the Friday night 2 June repeat of "The Idiot's Lantern" was fifth with 416,000 viewers; and Sunday night 4 June's repeat of "Confidential" was seventh on BBC3's list for the week with 393,000 viewers. (Thanks to 'Shaun Lyon')

Overnight ratings for The Satan Pit, the season's ninth new Doctor Who episode of Doctor Who, are in: the episode was watched by 5.5 million viewers with a 35.6% audience share. Though the ratings are down from last week's series low (5.94 million), the audience share is still high and the show is relatively strong given the rest of the day's numbers: on this summer Saturday, Doctor Who was third overall on the Top 30 Programs by Audience on all UK networks, behind "World Cup Match of the Day Live" and "Casualty", and second overall for today by audience share totals, behind the World Cup program (which had enormous share/ratings numbers for UK programming).

Also tonight: the ninth episode of Doctor Who Confidential on BBC Three scored 445,200 viewers, with a 3.6% audience share (number two for the day's non-terrestrial channels). More details later. (Thanks to 'Shaun Lyon,' Andy Parish)

People

According to The Sun, Glamour Magazine's Women of the Year Awards have presented Billie Piper with the "UK TV Actress of the Year Award". Also reported at the official Doctor Who website and at BBC Radio 1, the latter of which says, "As if these two don't see enough of each other, David Tennant presents Billie Piper with her award. On style Billie says she's inspired by Kate Moss, Nicole Ritchie and Marilyn Monroe. But what do we think of Billie's dress girls? Bit dinner lady?" Additional reports all over the web including The Mirror, The Daily Mail and others.

The Stage and the London Theatre Guide report that "John Barrowman, David Ian and voice coach Zoe Tyler, who has worked with stars such as Elton John, Rod Stewart and Will Young, are to join Andrew Lloyd Webber on the judging panel for BBC1 talent show How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? The programme, which has been billed as a Pop-Idol style search to find a star for the upcoming revival of The Sound of Music, will be hosted by Graham Norton and broadcast later this summer."

The Hornsey and Crouch End Journal says, "Crouch End had a visit from the Doctor last week, when ex-Doctor Who star Peter Davison landed in Hornsey Town Hall square for filming. Peter, also star of All Creatures Great And Small, was out on location recording three scenes for an ITV comedy drama, tentatively called Easy Peasy, outside the town hall last Wednesday afternoon. ... The six-part series, due to go out this autumn, features the former Time Lord as a child psychologist who is left to care for his son while his wife, played by Josie Lawrence, is away. ... The current Doctor Who, David Tennant, lives in Crouch End."

Creative Match notes that Paul McGann has spoken out against a decision to ban a charity ad for World Vision, because it is, say the BACC, 'unfair to football' ... McGann has spoken out in support of charity World Vision as news broke of the British Advertising Clearance Centre's (BACC) ban on the airing of their new TV advert. Paul McGann supplied the voice-over for the ad which shows a child in Malawi making a football from plastic bags and string. The BACC banned the ad on the basis that it was ‘unfair to football' as it mentioned the £49 million it cost to sponsor the England football team alongside the 60p a day it costs to sponsor Masidi - the boy in the film." Paul McGann said: 'Does one laugh or cry? An advert describing how 60p a day might help a child in a developing country is pulled in order to spare the image of corporate sponsorship in a couple of rich ones. You couldn't make it up!"

The Daily Star says that "Scots actress Shirley Henderson knows how to pack a punchline on comedian Peter Kay's chin. She lands one smack on his kisser in the time travelling adventure of Doctor Who - broadcast on Saturday June 17, in which the pair are taken on board the Tardis as guest stars. While Phoenix Nights star Kay, playing a villain, is almost unrecognisable under layers of blubber, there's no mistaking Kincardineborn Henderson, famous for her role as Moaning Myrtle in Harry Potter. Shirley, 41, joins her Scots mate David Tennant, as the Doctor, in the episode titled Love and Monsters. She said: 'Peter is the funniest man I've ever met. I couldn't stop laughing at him. It was such a joy working with him.'"

The Satan Pit Pre-Publicity

CBBC News reporter Lizo says of the episode, "When I first heard the name of this episode a few months back, I wasn't really paying attention and thought that it was called The Santa Pit and that it was the name of this year's Christmas Special. I couldn't have been more off the mark - this second part of the story that began with the Impossible Planet is the darkest, most intense episode since Dr Who returned last year. Things pick up with the Doctor facing an opening chasm deep under the planet, while on the surface Rose and the crew of the base are under attack by the sinister Ood. Are they about to come face to face with the Devil himself? And will they all survive? There's action aplenty, but the biggest thing about the epsiode may well be a few words which could have a huge bearing on this series or the next. You'll know them when you hear them! It'll probably be debated for months what they mean, if anything. Things aren't made clear as to whether it's just a passing comment or a massive clue about the future. This aside, the characters including the Doctor are forced to go further than they've been before, face up to their greatest fears and risk death. As they come up against an enemy unlike they've ever faced before. One of the things that's great about seeing the Doctor in action is how he knows much more than the people around him. But here there's even more pleasure to be had from seeing him having to think on his feet as he disocvers things that are beyond even his knowledge. Fans will love the non stop action, as well a throw away comment about the Kaled race! And, naturally, Torchwood gets a quick mention. Despite being a two parter, there's a lot left unexplained by the end which is a shame. But all in all an outstanding episode that's all that Dr Who should be - the stuff of legend. We're now into unknown territory though. We've seen clips for several weeks in trailers from all the stories except for the next two, Love and Monsters, and Fear Her. It should be fun to see how in these two stories we've seen nothing of, things ramp up to the climax at the end of the series. Can't wait! Lizo's star rating for The Satan Pit: 4 out of 5."

The Daily Star previewed it by saying, "Doctor Who is in for one hell of a shock when he comes face-to-face with the ultimate foe - Satan. The Time Lord (played by David Tennant, 34) lands in trouble after hurling himself into a dark abyss on a desolate planet. .... Once again it's up to the time traveller to save the universe. Meanwhile sidekick Rose (Billie Piper, 23) is being pursued by a frightening group of aliens who are out to kill her. But the feisty lass shows she can shoot from the hip with a space gun in the episode, to be screened this Saturday on BBC1 at 7pm."

The Guardian discusses the marketing of the episode. "While today may be plain old June 6 to most of us, to some it's 06.06.06. That gives it a whole new level of significance, for it becomes the day of the Control: max-age=0
Origin: httpichrist - who is known by the number 666. ... Even Doctor Who is getting in on the act. He has a date with the devil this Saturday teatime, after England play Paraguay - in the absence of Armageddon."

Heat's Chris Longridge writes: 'When you call your episode The Satan Pit, it had better live up to the title. So it's with relief that we report that the Doctor has not only to keep the Ood's planet from tipping into the ?Black Hole, but, if he can fit it into his schedule, stop the entire universe from being devoured by The Beast. Rose, meanwhile, merely has to fend off the squiddy things (ie the Ood), who are not quite as hungry as The Beast.' (he awards this the max 5 stars, and this concluding part is at number 6 in Heat's best TV shows of the week).

Closer magazine: 'The second part of this scary deep-space adventure sees Rose battling those delightful aliens the Ood, as the Doc attempts to save the planet from slipping into a black hole. Such is the secrecy surrounding Doctor Who episodes, the rest is under wraps, but we can guarantee lots of exaggerated facial expressions from David Tennant, and eye candy in the form of Strictly Come Dancing's Will Thorp.'

Reveal magazine says, 'Rose faces up to the deadly Ood as the planet's future hangs in the balance. Meanwhile, the Doctor's beliefs are challenged as he confronts the mysterious occupant of the pit. (Reveal awards this 4 out of 5 stars)

Sneak comments on one of their Must-Sees for Saturday: 'As Rose gets angry with the murderous Ood, the Doctor battles to stop the Earth falling into a black hole. As you do.'

Additional Media Items

The Guardian says, "Thank God for Doctor Who (BBC1, Saturday), in which a bunch of butt-ugly aliens started chanting such things as, 'We are the legion of the beast!' while Woody from Casualty was possessed by the devil and went on a killing spree. Rose and the Doctor shared a tender moment when they thought they were trapped on a dead planet circling a black hole, and even contemplated getting a mortgage and choosing carpets together. She kissed him on the helmet as he descended into the pit to face the very devil himself, who arose at the end of the episode with some great sepulchral laughter. The alien army, who were called the Ood and looked as if they had long-term cocaine habits, were set to zap everyone with their nose-tentacles. Nobody mentioned football or said, 'Dad ... I love you', which justifies the Bafta, in my opinion.'" Also on the site, on the online-only overnights ratings report, broadcasting editor Jason Deans gives Saturday's ratings a surprisingly positive spin: "Doctor Who's audience dipped to a new low on Saturday, with 5.9 million viewers tuning in. However, this can be attributed to the weather, as the audience share for Saturday's episode, The Impossible Planet, was 40% - one of the show's best. The third episode of the current series, broadcast on April 29, also got a 40% share - but won 7.6 million viewers, because more people were watching TV at that time on a Saturday. Doctor Who was up against ITV1's Bond movie repeat, Tomorrow Never Dies, which attracted 2.5 million viewers and an 18% share."

Portsmouth Today says that "Dr Who's latest adventures took a strange turn when he ended up facing an old adversary, the cyberman -- in a book shop. But this wasn't really a day when he would have to face terrifying monsters -- it was actually a special event for kids at Ottakar's book store in Fareham Shopping Centre. Staff decorated the store and made a Tardis and K9 models for the 80 children who took part in the activities afternoon. Fun for the youngsters included a fancy dress competition, make-a-monster sessions, a Dr Who treasure trail, and a quiz to encourage kids to read and use their imaginations."

June 5's Daily Star says, "Maybe I had a sordid imagination, but as a kid, I assumed that the assistants of DOCTOR WHO (Saturday BBC1) were his girlfriends. Why was he zooming round the galaxy with Leela and Teegan if he wasn't going out with them? They were useless at Tardis maintenance, and they squealed if a Cyberman clunked in their direction. Thinking back, I realise I was wrong. The Doctor's first assistants also included Peter Purves and Fraser Hines, and we can be sure that, back in the 70s, Time Lords didn't have boyfriends. But one of the reasons the new-look Who gives us so much pleasure has to be that little cosmic frisson of you-know-what between the Doc and Rose (Billie Piper). It grew into a minor tremor at the weekend as the pair shared their first kiss. Admittedly, he was wearing a protective visor and the kiss landed six inches from the bit where his nose joins his forehead. But it was screen history nonetheless. Could you imagine Jon Pertwee or Patrick Troughton landing a big wet smacker on their assistants - or vice versa? Perhaps it's one of the ways in which this reincarnation of the show has grown up. In the Saturday tea-time of my youth, the Doctor, his shipmates and the relationships between them were as unreal as the plots. Each week, they defeated some ugly lifeform, dusted themselves down and zoomed off to the next galaxy. The nearest anyone came to having a character was the irritating robot-dog K-9. Nowadays, odd though it seems to think it, Doctor Who is more real. Rose misses her mum and her home. The Doctor is in an awkward relationship to her - protecting her but also fancying her a bit too. On Saturday, having lost the Tardis in an earthquake on a planet at the rim of a black hole, they wondered what the rest of their lives would be like. For just a second they considered a life together then, as if reading each other's minds, started to blush and splutter. Yes, it was tongue-in-cheek, but not much less convincing than some of the scenes our soap operas dish up as serious drama. And with all the black holes, alien slave rebellions and underground demons, rather more fun."

The June/July issue of Wetherspoons New says, "Dr Who? Just ask his fans. Dr Who fans returned to their favourite haunt to celebrate the launch of the new TV series. The Printworks, a Lloyds No. 1 bar in Clerkenwell, London was the venue for a special party attended by readers of Dr Who magazine. They met with the programme's production crew and the iconic K9, Dr Who's beloved mechanical dog. More than 300 party-goers from all over the world enjoyed special advance screenings of episodes frm the new series in the comfort of the Lloyds bar. The bar's manager, Nuno Goncalves (pictured), said: 'The launch party for the Dr Who series was held at The Printworks last year, so I was delighted to welcome the fans back once again. They enjoyed themselves so much that they have already asked to hold next year's party here too!'"

Also: BlogCritics reviews last weekend's "The Impossible Planet"; the official Doctor Who website wants drawings from under-12's;

(Thanks to Paul Engelberg, Scott Matthewman, Peter Weaver, Jim Sangster and Paul Hayes)