A recap of some television appearances over the past few days:

The Tuesday December 13 afternoon edition of Newsround on BBC One (5.25pm) featured twelve-year-old Calum, winner of the CBBC Press Packer competition, and his report on the press screening yesterday. The two-minute piece included brief comments from David Tennant on how he's always been a fan of the series and mentioning one or two of next year's forthcoming monsters. The show can be watched again for up to a week on the 'Newsround Player' via the programme's website. The article says that Calum "won our Press Pack competition to interview the stars of the show and report from the premiere screening of the Christmas episode, The Christmas Invasion. In his report Calum tells us what he thought of the brand new Doctor and gives us a few hints about the Christmas episode (apparently Santa might be a bit scarier than you thought!) 'I've just got back from the premiere screening of the Christmas episode of Doctor Who, The Christmas Invasion. It was screened in London for the cast and press and, as a Newsround Press Packer, I got to see the Christmas special first with all the other journalists. David Tennant is the 10th Doctor Who and I got to meet and interview him! He gets regenerated in this episode and it looks as if he could be the best ever.' Calum also met Noel Clarke who plays Mickey and Camille Coduri who plays Rose's mum 'There are lots of surprises and loads of special effects, which make it a great programme. Evil Santas land on earth and try to take over. I won't say too much more because you will have to watch it on Christmas Day to see whether the Doctor saves everybody! I asked David loads of questions, like which monsters in Doctor Who he thinks are the scariest and what point in time he would go to in his Tardis, which stumped him a bit! Meeting the new Doctor was the best bit as he was really nice to talk to. Noel Clarke (who plays Mickey) and Camille Coduri (Jackie Tyler) also gave me interviews and they were great, telling me their favourite monsters in the series. Billie Piper was also there and so was Russell T Davies. He wrote the Christmas episode and loads of the earlier series. Everyone seemed really nice and they were all excited about the new series, and from the clips I saw I can see why! The whole day was brilliant and I can't wait to see the new shows.'"

The Friday 9 December edition of Friday Night With Jonathan Ross, during presenter Ross' interview with Will Young (pop star and would-be actor), Ross revealed that he had been asked to appear as one of the Cybermen in the new series, and would be going up to Wales to film his scenes. He then invited Will Young to join him as a Cyberman. Young had no idea what Cybermen were, revealling he never really watched Doctor Who (Young is 26), and asked would they not be recognised. Ross, in an enthusiastic way pointed out that they'd be firing guns and dressed in silver. He also asked other guest Jools Holland if he knew what Cybermen were, and he said yes, but that he was of "a certain age" as was Jonathan.

A Dalek visited the Blue Peter studio on Friday 9 December, where the show featured a preview of 'The Christmas Invasion' and a DVD competition. The edition was later repeated on the CBBC.

David Tennant was interviewed on Front Row on 8 December on BBC Radio 4. Tennant mainly talked about growing up with Doctor Who, and his participation in the series "Secret Smile," though his comments were repeated by several newspapers. Tennant noted that taking the role of the Doctor was "surprisingly difficult": "It's a show that I always loved... suddenly you are asked to do something like this and the scale of it is quite grand." He said he didn't want to be "the guy who had the opportunity and didn't take it." Tennant said he didn't have a lot of recognition on the street yet, but that there isn't much time to do anything while they're filming. He also noted that he was a fan of Tom Baker and Peter Davison and that he is intending to be there next year, "but who knows what'll happen in the next six months?" Tennant also made comments about the Doctor's sexuality and hints of a love story, much of which has been picked up by the media (see today's press column).

Tennant and Russell T Davies are to appear on the BBC1 Breakfast show next Wednesday (21 Dec). The presenters, who announced it this morning (13 December) said it will be Tennant's first live interview (presumably since getting the part of the Doctor). The announcement was accompanied with a lengthy sneak preview trailer for The Christmas Invasion. It started with Mickey at work in a garage, then urging a fellow mechanic to turn the radio down. Although he doesn't say so, it becomes apparent Mickey can hear something familiar... a familiar wheezing, groaning sound... Jackie is at home and can hear the same thing. They both rush out and meet in the estate precinct, trying to determine where the approaching Tardis is to land. It then materialises in the sky above them and comes crashing to earth, bouncing spectacularly off walls. The Doctor bursts out of the Ship, recognises them and desperately tries to remember something he had to tell them...

David Tennant will also be a guest on the Jonathan Ross show (along with Scarlett Johansson, Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon) on Friday 23 December (BBC1 at 10.25-11.25pm), according to DigiGuide.

(Thanks to Steve Tribe, Chuck Foster, Paul Engelberg, Peter Weaver, Robert J.E. Simpson)

Several reviews of The Christmas Invasion have now appeared, thanks to this week's press screenings:

TV Zone says that "Most of the overtly Christmassy elements appear in the first half of the story, as the vanguard of an alien invasion force dons various festive disguises to attack the Doctor's companion Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) ... Later on, the more obvious Christmas trappings vanish in favour of more subtle (though equally seasonal) themes of peace and rebirth; there are a few none-too-subtle jibes at the British government's foreign policy in there too, as Prime Minister Harriet Jones refuses to kow-tow to American demands to attack the alien spaceship. In retrospect, the Americans might've been right; the Sycorax are a savage bunch, given to trials by combat and indiscriminate murder, and poor Rose isn't really up to the task of taking them on without the Doctor's help. ... It's hard to believe the Christmas Special only lasts an hour; it manages to pack a feature film's worth of incident into its short running time, with visuals to match. There are one or two moments when the effects waver a little, but on the whole, this blockbuster TV movie is a worthy substitute for the traditional Christmas film – certainly, the sight of the Sycorax battleship looming over Nelson's column easily beats watching yet another bloody wedding in Albert Square..."

Heat magazine gives the Christmas Invasion 5 Stars and list it at number 2 in their terrestrial 20 Best TV Shows chart (at number 1 is Eastenders on Christmas Day). Heat also has an interview with David Tennant: "I just laughed," he said about getting the role. "I found it hilarious and impossible. And I remember [Dr Who writer exec producer] Russell T Davies very perceptively saying: 'Don't say anything now. I know the experience is quite a weird one.' But it's such a great job. I get to play a Time Lord and have a TARDIS. You can't knock that. ... Every time the Doctor goes through the regeneration process, he changes to an extent. So you get a blank canvas where you don't have to worry too much about what has gone before. Viewers are going to see a slightly more no-nonsense Doctor, influenced by what Chris [Eccleston] did with him. He's less indulgent and more ruthless. ... I opted for a scruffier-style suit. It's more what you'd expect to see a student sporting than a college professor. And inevitably the look is influenced by the sort of things I like wearing. ... The Christmas episode is a new start for the Doctor and Rose. They've got to rediscover each other and decipher whether they still feel the same. Despite the new face, he's fundamentally the same bloke and still has a huge amount of affection for her. However, the Doctor's outlook on life has changed as has the way he tackles situations. I think he's just hoping Rose can accept the changes and they can pick up where they left off. ... It's watched by groups you wouldn't expect to be huge Doctor Who fans. I'm continually surprised by the number of trendy teenage girls and middle-aged mums who come up to talk to me and who genuinely love the show. That's what 's extraordinary and unique about it. I doubt I'll ever do anything that attracts such a varied audience again."

Star magazine gives it 5 stars and comments: "Billie Piper is joined by new co-star David Tennant in this special. He's great casting, make no mistake. And sure to make a few ladies feel a bit unnecessary. TV is awash with strangely sexy men these days... Tennant, David Walliams, Chris Evans (we jest). Anyway, the plot: Mickey and Jackie get the shock of their lives when the TARDIS appears - and Rose steps out with a stranger. Disorientated, this new fella - the new Doctor - passes out. They leave him convalescing in bed, and head out to Christmas shop, but Mickey and Rose are attack§ed by a brass band of masked Santas. The usual, really, with a festive seasoning of extra campery."

Reveal magazine also gives the Christmas Invasion 5 stars. "The Doctor takes Rose home for the festive season, but the regeneration process has taken its toll and he ends up unconscious. Will he wake in time to save the planet from sinister Santas and killer Christmas trees?"

In Closer magazine, Jason Arnopp writes of its main Christmas Day TV pick: "Doctor Who's back for a one-off special - and it's the first episode with David Tennant as the Doc. When the last series finished, we saw Christopher Eccleston regenerate into David Tennant. In last month's Children in Need special mini-episode, Rose (Billie Piper) was struggling to come to terms with the Doctor having changed face and most of his personality. This full-length instalment sees them crash-land the TARDIS into the London council estate where Rose lives. The Doctor chirpily wishes onlookers a Merry Christmas, then keels over. While he's bed-ridden, there's a gloriously silly Yuletide-themed alien assault, complete with sinister Santa impersonators, a deadly Christmas tree that attacks Rose's mum Jackie and the return of Penelope Wilton's character Harriet Jones. Prepare to be enthralled."

As suggested in some online television listings, The Christmas Invasionwill have its first UK repeat on New Year's Day, Sunday 1 January, at 7.00pm on BBC Three. The official site has confirmed that this broadcast will again be followed by Attack of the Graske, available via the 'red button', which will be on BBCi between 8pm and midnight. (This suggests, although the BBC site does not clearly confirm it, that the interactive episode will be on for four hours on Christmas Day as well.)

The official Doctor Who site has confirmed that BBC7 digital radio service will broadcast The Chimes of Midnight on four consecutive Saturdays beginning this Saturday, 17 December, and ending on Saturday 7 January, at 6.30pm and 12.30am. The site also has a "Chimes" trailer, which debuted on BBC7 after the "Shada" broadcast. "The Chimes of Midnight," by Rob Shearman, is one of Big Finish's most celebrated Doctor Who audio plays, starring Paul McGann and India Fisher.

The South Wales Echo reports that the city of Cardiff will be hosting a new, free exhibition based on Doctor Who starting next week, Thursday 22 December. "Doctor Who Up Close, based at the Red Dragon Centre in Cardiff Bay, celebrates the success of the latest series filmed in the capital with an exclusive behind-the-scenes look. The experience, which will cost the council £150,000 to stage, links into areas such as modern story-telling, script-writing, acting, costume design, sound and music, special effects, set construction and creative thinking. Visitors entering the display will be surrounded by a retrospective, outlining the 40-year lineage of the series and have the opportunity to view the previous incarnations of the Doctors. Among the attractions visitors can view is the Doctor’s arch enemies, the Daleks, in both their modern form and a unique example of their original 1960s design, as well as elements focusing on many other classic characters. After it is screened on Christmas Day, visitors will also get the chance to see elements of the Christmas special with some of the new props and costumes. BBC Wales Controller Menna Richards said: 'Doctor Who is a huge success and I'm delighted that we can help to bring this exciting exhibition to people in Cardiff. It’s a great opportunity to go behind the scenes and get a sense of what goes into making Doctor Who.' Cardiff council leader Rodney Berman said: 'As a big fan of Doctor Who myself, particularly the new version made right here in Cardiff, I’m looking forward to the opportunity to visit the new exhibition. It will be an exciting insight into the behind the scenes goings on of the series over the years.' An official opening ceremony is being staged on December 21 with the public able to visit the exhibition from the following day. It runs until February 26 and is open every day between 11am and 8pm, except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day."

The BBC has debuted a brand-new, 30-second trailer for The Christmas Invasion. The trailer is now viewable on the official Doctor Who websiteand features a glimpse of David Tennant while more footage with Billie Piper (Rose), Camille Coduri (Jackie) and returning guest star Penelope Wilton (Harriet Jones).

The BBC Press Office has issued a press release with further information on the 'red-button episode' available to UK digital viewers after the broadcast of 'The Christmas Invasion' on Christmas Day. Attack of the Graske will be 'a pioneering mix of live action, state-of-the-art special effects (from multi-award-winning The Mill) and individual tasks' and will feature 'a series of challenges [in which] the viewer will be tested on all the skills necessary to keep the Universe safe – you'll even have a chance to fly the TARDIS!' There will be 'a series of tests using the arrow keys on their digital remote control, [and] viewers will be tested on observation, dexterity, memory and bravery', while 'the Doctor will be on hand to give advice, encouragement, and even step in when things go wrong'. The adventure will be on BBCi 'after the credits roll' on 'The Christmas Invasion'. There is no indication of how long 'Attack of the Graske' will remain available. The full text of the press release is below.

Issue 8 of the fan magazine Black Scrolls is now available; the issue features "The Tom Baker Show", this time lampooning "Warriors Gate" while satirical tabloid "Sol3" makes a return to Black Scrolls, packed with regular favourites; writer Chris Boucher discusses his scripts for Doctor Who, this time turning out attention to "Face of Evil"; coverage of "The Caves of Androzani" with new interviews with Maurice Roeves (Stotz) and John Normington (Morgus); the "I Luv Caves" featurette, with various ramblings on the story's characters, from the likes of Steve O’Brien (SFX) and Craig Hinton; the exhaustive behind-the-scenes story of "The Flood," DWM's Cyberman story, featuring interviews with writer Scott Gray, artist Martin Geraghty, colourist Adrian Salmon and editor Clay Hickman; and a CD featuring multimedia material such as the Black Scrolls interview with Maurice Roeves which was professionally recorded on video, an audio interview of John Normington and the back catalogue of issues 1 to 7 of the magazine. More details and ordering available at www.timeschampion.com.