Tonight sees an evening celebrating the spiritual home of BBC Television, Television Centre at White City, London.

The schedule will see what is expected to be the final programmes to be made at TVC, which closes at the end of the month after some 53 years of broadcasting. Events include an attempt to recreate the record-breaking tap dance originally made by Roy Castle in 1977, plus a live hour performance by band Madness on the Centre forecourt. The evening's centrepiece will be the broadcast of Goodbye, Television Centre, a 90 minute programme presented by a name well known to Doctor Who fandom, former BBC1 Controller and Chairman Michael Grade, and featuring a host of celebrities long-associated with broadcasting from TVC including Michael Parkinson, David Attenborough, David Jason, Penelope Keith and Ronnie Corbett. Finally, musician Richard Thompson performs a one-off concert from Studio 8.

• 7:00pm, BBC One, The One Show
• 7:30pm, BBC Four, Madness Live
• 8:30pm, BBC Four, Goodbye Television Centre
• 10:25pm, BBC Four, Richard Thompson BBC Four Session

Sadly absent from the evening is the more informal documentary, Tales of Television Centre, broadcast last May on BBC Four. The programme took audiences on a nostalgic journey through TVC's history, featuring clips and reflections by many who worked there, including Doctor Who actors Peter Davison, Katy Manning, Louise Jameson, and Janet Fielding.

For Doctor Who fans, TVC will also be remembered as the 'home' of the series during its initial production run. The first episode to be recorded here was The Warriors of Death in 1964, but it wasn't until the tail end of the Troughton era when it was to become the 'permanent' studio complex for recording (barring the occasional story). TVC itself became a location as the exterior of the World Ecology Bureau in The Seeds of Doom, and will feature prominently as its 1960s self in the 50th Anniversary drama An Adventure in Space and Time.

A brief history of TVC:

Although of interest to Doctor Who fans, who tend to have greater interest in the production history of their programme than more casual viewers, BBC Television Centre has transcended fandom of any kind to become a recognised icon of British popular culture. It is indelibly associated with BBC Television in the minds of many of the British public, even those who have no interest at all in the history of television or how it is produced.

The land where Television Centre – always ‘TVC’ for short – now stands was originally part of the 1908 Franco-British Exhibition; it was purchased by the BBC in 1949, although construction did not begin until the 1950s. Its unique question-mark shaped design allegedly came from a flash of inspiration on the part of architect Graham Dawbarn, who was wrestling with how to fit the requisite number of studios and other buildings onto the triangular piece of land the BBC had bought. Popular legend says that he doodled the question mark shape onto an envelope, and this was how the problem was solved.

Although designed as the first purpose-built television studio complex in the world, it took until 1960 for Television Centre to open, by which time Granada Television’s custom-built Quay Street studios in Manchester were already open and producing programmes. However, over the following decades, BBC Television Centre became undeniably the most famous television production centre in Britain, and perhaps one of the most famous in the world – to some British viewers it seemed, in the words of Steven Moffat in Doctor Who Confidential, “more Hollywood than Hollywood”.

From the centre’s official opening in 1960s up until the 1990s, the studios were home to every conceivable genre of television programming – drama, sitcom, light entertainment, discussion, news, current affairs, lifestyle, chat show and more. Television Centre was a broadcasting factory, pumping out the core of the BBC’s output, serviced by on-site production departments creating costumes, sets, special effects for every imaginable situation and setting on Earth – or of course, as Doctor Who fans know, beyond.

Television Centre was never the sole home of the BBC’s television output, even in London, but its frequent on-screen presence in many of the Corporation’s programmes meant it came to be seen as the home of BBC Television. However, into the 1990s the style and nature of television began to change. Drama in particular left the Centre – outside of soap operas, dramas were no longer being made in the old multi-camera studio style. The last drama to be made in the old Doctor Who multi-camera fashion was BBC One Sunday night period piece The House of Eliott, which came to an end in 1994.

With BBC producers now having free rein to make their programmes in whatever studios were the most economic, and many of the Corporation’s programmes now being made by independent production companies, programmes could be, and were, made anywhere. There were also conscious efforts to de-centralise the BBC’s London-based output, with major production centres in the 21st century being in such sites as Cardiff, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow.

With all of this, and other political considerations, the BBC took the decision to sell off Television Centre to developers. The closure of TVC this month, after 53 years as the flagship of the Corporation’s television broadcasting, brings to an end an era when the BBC operated an in-house production line of television that was, from conception to production to screen, not unlike a grand Hollywood studio system of the old days. And it leaves behind one of the few pieces of broadcasting architecture ever to achieve recognition outside of its industry.

The Future:

After closure, Stanhope will begin its plans for the metamorphosis of the site into a range facilities; the company announced earlier this year:
Further details outlined in the plan include the conversion of the 'horseshoe' carpark into a public square, and a new cycle route will run through the site to link up with the adjacent Hammersmith Park. Studios 1, 2 and 3 will be retained for recording, but 4-7 will be demolished in favour of residential flats. The North and South Halls will become entrances for the flat and for a new luxury hotel that will occupy the existing central ring offices facing Wood Lane. Stages 4 and 5 will become "The Television Factory", an office complex aimed at small media companies and also for commercial outlets on the ground floor. Stage 6 will become the home of BBC Worldwide.

How much of TVC will still be recognisable after the redevelopment remains to be seen!

Television Centre to live on via Google:

In February Google visited TVC in order to make a "snapshot" of how the iconic building looked before closure and partial demolition. Bill Thompson, head of Partnership Development, reflected:

In the Media:

• BBC TV Centre: Goodbye to the 'dream factory' (BBC News)
• BBC Television Centre: Farewell to the Dream Factory (The Independent)
• Farewell London W12 8QT (The Sun)
• The question mark over the BBC's finest hours (Express)
• A farewell to TVC (BBC)
• Angela Rippon revisits old TV studio [video] (BBC News)
• In praise of ... Television Centre (Guardian)
  
  
• Michael Grade: 'BBC Television Centre was state of the art but it's way past its sell-by date' (Independent)
• Television Centre sale draws fire from BBC stars in tribute programme (Guardian)
• BBC stars lament end of TV Centre (Express)
• Madness to play BBC Television Centre farewell gig (BBC)
• Dance on tap for final show from TV Centre (Brighouse Echo)
• BBC Club appoints Pitman’s People for The Television Centre’s Closing Party Celebrations (Event Industry News)

Former Doctor Who script editor and writer the late Douglas Adams has been honoured with an interactive Google doodle today - what would have been his 61st birthday.

The doodle, which is an alteration of the Google logo, focuses on The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy - which was undoubtedly Adams's most widely-known work - and clicking on the Guide reveals many iconic elements from it, including a towel and a Babel fish, while clicking on the lift door reveals the character Marvin the paranoid android.

Adams was the script editor for Doctor Who's 17th season, wrote two stories for the show - The Pirate Planet and Shada - and co-wrote a third, City of Death.

A great enthusiast of technology and a passionate conservationist, he died suddenly in California on 11th May 2001 at the age of 49 after suffering a heart attack.


The search engine giant says that via the doodles it "aims to celebrate interesting events and anniversaries that reflect Google's personality and love for innovation." Ideas for Google doodles can be suggested via proposals@google.com

Doctor Who is to be shown in 3D, it was announced this evening.

A press statement said that the programme would be broadcast in 3D, using some of the BBC's high-definition capacity, as part of the blockbuster celebrations to mark the show turning 50. Showrunner Steven Moffat said:
The use of the advance in broadcasting technology for the programme was revealed during an event for writers, actors, industry, and press at which BBC drama controller Ben Stephenson set out his vision for BBC Drama, announcing new commissions, recommissions, and looking forward to new horizons:

This isn't the first time the show has entered the 3D waters. Back in 1993 Doctor Who's 30th anniversary was marked with Dimensions In Time, broadcast in 3D for that year's Children in Need. And in 2010 the Eleventh Doctor's era was heralded by a 3D trailer shown in cinemas, as can be seen below (NB: 3D anaglyph red/cyan glasses are needed for the full benefit):


Also in 2010 a poll was undertaken by entertainment manufacturer Panasonic that revealed Doctor Who was the show that viewers would most like to see in 3D, with other favourites being Wallace and Gromit and Top Gear.

United Kingdom:

The recent snowfall across the United Kingdom brought forth an array of snow sculptures, including Daleks! Areas reported include Leicester and Faversham, plus a number of photos published by the official Doctor Who Facebook page.

Speaking of Daleks, another was to be found at a chip shop in Helston! It was built by proprietor Marc Stonham, who said: "I've been thinking about it on and off for the last 40 years. It wasn’t until last (year) that I actually did it. People do mention it and come and have a look." [Falmouth Packet, 17 Jan 2013]

The islanders of Cumbrae in Scotland hope that John and Carole Barrowman's Hollow Earth books will boost tourism. Paul Watling, of Visit Cumbrae, reported: "We've had visits from a number of Hollow Earth fans and last week, a group of about 14 came over. They were from all across France and Germany and were very keen to see the island. I showed them some of the locations used in the book and they loved their visit. We hope the books will do for Cumbrae what (tv series) Balamory did for Mull." [Daily Record, 13 Jan 2013]

The Rainbow pub in Digbeth has been re-opened with a retro theme, including a photo booth masquerading as a police box! Other features include a "Del Boy" cocktail bar and a Scalectrix set to play with! [Birmingham Mail, 1 Feb 2013]

United Kingdom / Australia:

A Doctor Who postcard has sailed the seven seas from Sunderland (England) to Perth (Australia)! Schoolboy Cade Scott released the card in a bottle in August 2011, and was found by Matthew Elam this last Christmas Day, who responded back in January. Cade said: "I had got some Doctor Who postcards in a magazine and decided to use one of them to put in the bottle. I was just amazed it had gone so far. I thought it had sunk in the North Sea." [Sunderland Echo, 18 Jan 2013]

United States:

Two special screenings of Doctor Who are to take place at the Rockland Public Library in Maine, as part of a series of literary, film and music evenings. The Sun Makers is to be shown on the 7th February, with Blink the following 14th. Admission is free. [Penobscot Bay Pilot, 28 Jan 2013]

Crochet versions of each of the Doctors have been made by Allison Hoffman from Austin, Texas; she explained: "I made the dolls for a woman that wanted to give her husband a Christmas present that would blow him away. He is a huge Doctor Who fan and she knew he’d love these toys. He’s actually building a custom cabinet to display them now! Before taking on this project I had only seen the newer Who and not very many episodes, but now I feel like I know all of these people personally!". No prizes for guessing her favourite: "Tom Baker - I loved making that scarf!" [Metro, 29 Jan 2013]

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson recently discussed "What is Time?" on his StarTalk Radio, comparing views of how Time travel is portrayed as linear, branching and, in Doctor Who's case, wibbly wobbly! [StarTalk Radio via YouTube, Jan 2013]

Tonight sees the return of Stargazing Live to BBC Television on BBC2/BBCHD. The series sees presenters Professor Brian Cox and Dara O'Briain bring their enthusiasm for astronomy to life, inviting viewers to appreciate the sky and the visible objects that surround us each evening.

Each show is followed by a half-hour discussion about the evening's theme and discoveries, with the two presenters joined by guests and a studio audience. This year, Back to Earth also features a special guest in the form of K9! The Doctor's second-best friend will be on hand to offer his own unique knowledge of the stars from his travels.

This week's shows look at Mars, charting history through the stars, and then meteors, asteroids and comets.

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K9 isn't the first reference to Doctor Who in Stargazing Live; back in the first series guest Jonathan Ross was quite insistent he had spotted Gallifrey in the night sky! The clip is available to watch via the BBC's YouTube channel.

Today marks the 49th anniversary of the first Dalek serial, with The Dead Planet airing at 5:15pm on Saturday 21st December 1963. Though the full design by Raymond Cusick would not be revealed until after Christmas, this episode ended with an iconic moment of Barbara's scream as she is menaced by an unknown 'something' . . .

Talking about this very first appearance, Steven Moffat - writer of their most recent adventure on screen, Asylum of the Daleks - said:
Doctor Who's lead writer reflects on the Daleks in a series of videos celebrating their iconic moments, presented on the BBC's Adventure Calendar throughout December: their first appearance in The Daleks, their size and settings in Evil of the Daleks, and their exciting return after a number of years in Day of the Daleks.

Daleks - Invasion Earth: 2012 AD!

Not just content with confronting us with a host of old and new variations during Asylum of the Daleks, the Doctor's most persistent adversary has also been 'terrorising' children and adults alike throughout the year at various local events - here is a selection of their many appearances:

Colin Baker is to be one of the contestants on this year's series of I'm A Celebrity - Get Me Out Of Here!, the reality television show on ITV1 that places a number of celebrities out in a jungle environment in Australia who then take on challenges in order to become the 'king' or 'queen' of the jungle!

The former Doctor said that he's doing the show because of his four daughters:

Colin is the first major Doctor Who actor to engage in jungle shenanigans, though in 2007 the series was won by "Doctor" Christopher Biggins, who appeared alongside him in Big Finish's The One Doctor.

Other celebrities competing in the jungle this year include fellow actors Charlie Brooks (EastEnders), Helen Flanagan (Coronation Street) and Linda Robson (Birds of a Feather), comedian Brian Conley, singer Ashley Roberts, sports personalities Eric Bristow (darts) and David Haye (WBA), entertainment PR Hugo Taylor and MP Nadine Dorries.

The twelfth series begins on ITV1 on 11th November at 9:00pm.

The grieving widower of Mary Tamm who died shortly after the actress's funeral may have suffered from a rare condition in which the heart stops beating for no reason, an inquest was told.

Marcus Ringrose, who was aged 59, gave a moving eulogy at Tamm's funeral on 7th August this year but just hours later his body was found at their home in Battersea. The cause of death was given by pathologist Dr John du Parcq as sudden adult death syndrome, with emotional stress as the potential trigger. Mr Ringrose had collapsed while e-mailing a friend about his wife, but a post-mortem revealed that he had been fit and well and there was no evidence that he had suffered a heart attack. No alcohol or drugs were found in his body, nor were there signs of external injury, Westminster Coroner's Court was told.

Dr du Parcq said there may have been a genetic cause, as Mr Ringrose had complained of palpitations years earlier and had had an uncle who suffered a fatal heart attack at the age of 52, but the pathologist added that "acute stress, be that metabolic or emotional" could have been the trigger.

Referring to the syndrome, deputy coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe said: "It is a recognised situation that it can be triggered by particularly stressful and emotional events, which undoubtedly Mr Ringrose had been going through." She recorded a verdict of death by natural causes and advised the family to seek advice and tests from a cardiologist.

... so asks Mike Rugnetta on the latest episode of Idea Channel, the weekly web programme from PBS Digital Studios.

UK digital PVR producer YouView have launched a new advert to promote their broadband content service, which enables purchasers to watch a variety of digital channels and catch up via the BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, 4OD and Demand 5.

The advert showcases a number of shows including Sherlock, Alan Carr, Noddy, and Downton Abbey, as well as documentaries and sport. Doctor Who is also prominent, represented by a Dalek patrol being screened approaching along a street.