Episode seven of Torchwood, Dead Man Walking , scored an Appreciation Index figure of 86, once more putting it in the excellent category. It was highest figure for the day on the four main channels.

The edited repeat was watched by 0.9 million viewers, according to overnight figures, a 4.3% share of the total audience. Torchwood Declassifiedgot 1.4 million viewers. These figures are slightly higher than the actual overnights as they include Scotland and Northern Ireland where Torchwood was not shown.

Posted By John Bowman

A special party with star guests possibly in tow is to be held in London the night Series Four starts - and readers of this page could be joining in the fun.

The free event is being organised by Doctor Who historian Jeremy Bentham, who has 100 tickets up for grabs.

Very much an informal occasion, similar parties that he has held for the start of the previous three series have proved hugely popular - last year's, for instance, saw just under 1,400 applications for tickets.

Bentham said: "We will be showing Partners In Crime, plus any other related Doctor Who programmes that are on that day, live on a big-screen plasma projection system with full surround sound - and who knows who else may drop in to join the fun and festivities?"

Among the star names at last year's party was Nicholas Courtney. Pictured at the event is a Dalek built by prop-maker Julian Vince, who also supplied a police box that materialised during the day.

This year's party will start at 3pm and finish late. A cash bar and full food menu will be available throughout the afternoon and evening, plus from 10pm onwards there will be free admission to the venue's nightclub.

Bentham said: "A draw for the tickets will take place three weeks before the confirmed series launch date, which is currently expected to be one of the Saturdays in early to mid-April."

And he stressed: "Please only apply for tickets if you know for sure that you'll be available to come to London for the party whenever Series Four starts. Alternatively, please state any Saturday dates when you will not be able to come, so that I can ensure tickets go out to those who can definitely make it."

Party hopefuls should send a postcard stating their full name, address, daytime contact number and the number of tickets they would like (maximum of two) to: DW Launch Party 2008, 13 Northfield Road, Boreham Wood, Herts, WD6 5AE.

All party entrants must be aged at least 18 and no admission will be allowed without a valid ticket. Winners will be notified by post during the week following the draw.

Unofficial figures show that the BBC2 showing of Torchwood Episode 7, Dead Man Walking was watched by 3.0 million viewers, a12.5% share of the total TV audience.

The programme was the second most watched of the day on BBC2, being beaten by Masterchef and the 18th most watched on British television for the day. The episode had its premier on the digital channel BBC3 last week, where it was watched by 0.9 million viewers.

Episode Eight, A Day in the Death was watched by 1.05 millionviewers on BBC3, making it the highest rated programme on all multichannel TV for the day, and giving it a 5.7% share of the total audience.

BARB has released final ratings for the week ending 17th February, giving Episode Five of Torchwood,Adam, an official rating of 3.79 millionviewers.

This, once more, makes Torchwood the highest rated programme on BBC2 for the week beating University Challenge into second place.

The BBC3 premier of Episode Six, Reset got a final rating of 0.85 million viewers. It was the 5th highest rated programme on BBC3 for the week.

Posted By John Bowman

The forthcoming DVD release of Fourth Doctor story The Invasion of Time will have CGI effects as optional extras.

The British Board of Film Classification today passed a total of 33 effects for the six-part adventure, comprising three for episode one, five for episode two, five for episode three, nine for episode four, three for episode five, and eight for episode six.

As well as the mini-documentaries The Elusive David Agnew and The Rise and Fall of Gallifrey, reported earlier this month by this site, today's announcement stated that the DVD would also have a "making of" mini-documentary entitled Out of Time plus an Easter Egg.

A date for the DVD's release has yet to be announced.

Torchwood Magazine has announced the titles of the final episodes of the current season.

Episode 8 - A Day in the Death by Joe Lidster
Episode 9 - Something Borrowed by Phil Ford
Episode 10 - From Out of the Rain by PJ Hammond
Episode 11 - Adrift by Chris Chibnail
Episode 12 - Fragments by Chris Chibnail
Episode 13 - Exit Wounds by Chris Chibnail

Viewers in Scotland can now see the pre-watershed version of Torchwood on Tuesday evenings at 7pm.

It has been confirmed that the Peter Davison story Black Orchid will be released in the UK on 14th April 2008.

This week's issue of Doctor Who Adventures looks at the heroes of Doctor Who. You can read about ten of the bravest people the Doctor has met. Everyone from Mickey Smith and Bannakaffalatta to Martha and Rose. But who do you think is the top hero?

There's also the chance to win tickets to a new London Doctor Who Exhibition in Earl's Court plus posters of Martha Jones, Sally Sparrow and a Weeping Angel and the Doctor and Astrid.

In "Tales from the TARDIS", Astrid saves the Earth but the Doctor loses a friend and "The Ultimate Guide to Doctor Who" features The Rise of the Cybermen to The Satan Pit

The Quiz asks "what kind of hero are you?" and you can learn how to draw Bannakaffalatta the little red cyborg. The comic strip is "The Old Kings of Skarab" part 2.

Doctor Who Adventures issue 53, is out in the UK on Thursday 28 February.

The Guardian has confirmed that BBC Four is planning a tribute night to Doctor Who's first producer, Verity Lambert, who died last year.

The evening, which is planned for April, will feature a new documentary looking back at Lambert's work, including her pivotal role in setting up Doctor Who.

Those who have already filmed interviews for the documentary include the former Channel 4 chief executive Jeremy Isaacs. Other figures who are thought to be in the frame to feature include the Doctor Who executive producer Russell T Davies and Jonathan Creek star Alan Davies.

Thanks to Luke McCullough

Posted By John Bowman

Events

Colin Baker will be returning to Gladstone Pottery Museum in Stoke-on-Trent - the filming location for The Ultimate Foe section of The Trial of a Time Lord - on Sunday, May 18. This was where he filmed his last two episodes as the Doctor. Davros actor Terry Molloy will also be there. More details can be found at Colin Baker Online.

Interviews

Comic Book Resources has an interview with Pia Guerra, who is an artist for IDW Publishing's Doctor Who comic.

Newsarama has had a chat with Burn Gorman, while iF Magazine currently has the first part of a two-part interview with Naoko Mori.

Freema Agyeman's 23-minute appearance on Simon Mayo's BBC Radio 5 Live show on February 20 is available to download as a podcast here until February 27.

John Barrowman and Freema Agyeman have been speaking to BBC Oxford.

Merchandise

ComicMix has a piece about Doctor Who Minimates finally being approved for production by Underground Toys, namely David Tennant's Doctor, Martha Jones and Cybermen.

DVDs

The Patrick Troughton ten-part epic The War Games is being prepared for DVD release. Both the Eastbourne Herald and The Argus in Brighton carried appeals from the Restoration Team this week for people to come forward with reminiscences, photos, etc, for accompanying features.

Covers for the 25th anniversary edition of The Five Doctors have been released. There appear to be two versions of the front. Click on the thumbnails below for larger versions. The DVD is out in the UK on March 3.

(With thanks to Rob Cope, Shane Williams, Steven Stearns, Adrian Behennah, Iain Campbell, Jonathan Barlow, Carl T Davies, Matt Evenden, Tim Bowers, Richard Harwood, and 'spiderfrommars'.)