THE DOCTORS 101 - START HERE

Ever wondered how many times each Doctor encountered the Daleks? Or which Doctor first encountered the Brigaider? Or, the greatest mystery, just how old is the Doctor?

Wonder no more. We've added a new feature to the blog - The Doctors 101.

http://type40doctors101.blogspot.co.uk/

DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE #460 OUT NOW!

As we draw near to the end of series seven, DWM takes a look at the final three episodes leading towards the anniversary adventure coming in November. It seems all we have left this year are ‘event’ episodes; The Crimson Horror is the one hundredth episode since Doctor Who returned in 2005, Nightmare in Silver is the triumphant return of both the Cybermen and author Neil Gaiman, and The Name of the Doctor is the big series finale that’s set to shake up the universe of Doctor Who to its very core. Following these, of course, we have an anniversary and Christmas special to look forward to.

The magazine features a wonderful interview with Mark Gatiss where he talks about writing The Crimson Horror, likening it to his successful Lucifer Box series of novels, calling it ‘the campest thing I’ve ever written – and that’s saying something!’ Of course, the high point of The Crimson Horror is the first appearance of Dame Diana Rigg in Doctor Who. Known to fans as Mrs Peel in the 1960s television show The Avengers, she is also well remembered as Countess Teresa di Vicenzo in the James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, the only woman to whom Bond gets married.

After series six’s award-winning episode, The Doctor’s Wife, which did more for the TARDIS than any episode has before or since, Neil Gaiman returns to pen Nightmare in Silver because, in his words, ‘I set the bar high. But that’s why I came back. Not to top The Doctor’s Wife, but to at least come close.’ He promises that the Cybermen in this episode will be scarier than ever!

One of the most interesting reveals in this issue of Doctor Who Magazine is Steven Moffat explaining that River Song who appears in Name of the Doctor is a post-Silence in the Library River, a story in which she died. In his interview about The Name of the Doctor, Moffat goes to great lengths to not really tell us anything. No real spoilers to be gleaned here.

Speaking of Moffat, there’s a wonderful section in the magazine in which he answers questions put to him by readers of the mag. One such question ‘how did the Statue of Liberty make it to Winter Quay without being seen?’ is something I’ve been debating with people since The Angels Take Manhattan aired last year. His answer is mostly okay, but the only part worth repeating here is; ‘Also, it tiptoed!’ Quite.

Doctor Who Magazine issue #460, £4.75, now available from all good retailers.

 

Yesterday we reported the sad news revealed in DWM that no old Doctors would be returning for the anniversary special. But, if it makes all you fans who decry this revelation feel a little better, the old Doctors are also disappointed. Says Sylvester McCoy, the Seventh Doctor, ‘all of us want to do it, just for the fans – because that’s what they want’.

So, although it seems as if the BBC are focussing on celebrating the past EIGHT years of adventures, audio producers Big Finish are at least planning on celebrating the past FIFTY years. Their anniversary special, The Light at the End, will not only features all the past Doctors (Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy and Paul McGann) but also companions Leela, Nyssa, Peri, Ace and Charley. On top of that look out for small ‘kisses to the past’ with cameos by Susan, Ian, Vicki, Steven, Sara, Polly, Jamie, Zoe, Jo, Tegan and Turlough! A veritable cornucopia of old Doctors and companions!

DWM CONFIRMS - NO PAST DOCTORS!

Artwork Copyright Paul Hanley

The latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine (issue #460 - on sale tomorrow) confirms that the only Doctor returning for the Fiftieth Anniversary episode is David Tennant. '...The other old Doctors will not be taking part,' the mag reports. It also confirms that, although Christopher Eccleston was approached to return, he turned the offer down. In conjunction with this from Steven Moffat, 'it is important you don't turn it into a fanfest. We can't make this all about looking backwards', it seems long-time fans of the show are in for a major disappointment.

So, is this to be a celebration of FIFTY years or just the last EIGHT? The latter is looking more and more likely...

DOCTOR WHO STAMPS AVAILABLE NOW

Today (March 26) sees the release of the special edition Doctor Who stamps.

All eleven Doctors feature on their own first class stamp with their relevant logo and a title graphic in the background.

The TARDIS is also on its own first class stamp and comes as part of a mini-sheet with four second class stamps, each one with their own Doctor Who monster; Weeping Angel, Dalek, Cyberman and Ood.

The stamps have been created to mark the 50th Anniversary of the show and, with pre-registration for the collection three times higher than any other commeroative set Royal Mail has released, they have already broken a record.

Royal Mail's Andrew Hammond said: "These stamps pay tribute to the brilliant actors that have played the Doctor over the years as well as the adversaries that helped make the show so popular."

See the full collection below: