CYBERMEN IN THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL!

There would have to be an excellent reason to be sat in the Royal Albert Hall on the hottest day of the year and the Doctor Who Proms definitely counts as one. The concert, which saw Ben Foster conducting the BBC National Orchestra of Wales with the London Philharmonic Choir, included a mix of music from recent and classic Doctor Who episodes, and will be screened around the same time as the 50^th Anniversary special this November.

Matt Smith and Jenna Louise-Coleman made an appearance along with Cybermen and Weeping Angels. Smith told an excited crowd: ‘One of the great joys of playing this extraordinary, legendary Time Lord is the support and knowledge and love and brilliance of the fans - you really make the show what it is.’

He wasn’t the only Doctor in the house though, as Peter Davison appeared – to a rapturous welcome – to introduce a medley of music from the show’s classic era, including the pioneering work of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. Looking out at the thousands of fans, he said, ‘What amazing memories you all have. Even though most of you weren't even born.’

Joining him onstage was Carole Ann Ford, who played the Doctor’s first screen companion in 1963. ‘Who'd have thought this celebration would be happening 50 years on?’ said the actress, now 73 years old. ‘It's amazing.’ 

The Prom was brought to an end by the world premiere of a birthday anthem called Song for Fifty, written by Murray Gold, who has been the show’s musical director since 2005.

 

*CYBERMEN SPOILER ALERT!!!!*

Latest bit of news direct from New Zealand, where DW voice supremo NICK BRIGGS did a Q&A.

He has said.....


DO NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU WANT TO AVOID SPOILERS!

He has said that the Cybermen soon to be seen in the upcoming episode 'Nightmare In Silver' will NOT be the Cybus/ alternative universe ones, but the 'original' Cybermen from Mondas. He also said that they 'Don't speak very much', and that he's recorded a whole range of different sounding voices, from the 'Tenth Planet' style, to a 'Vocoder' style... But he doesn't know which ones will ultimately be used in the episode!

CYBERMEN AND DALEKS TO JOIN ZYGONS FOR 50TH?

Hot off the press from Digital Spy, former Doctor Who writer Robert Banks Stewart has hinted that there may well be a plethora of Who monsters appearing in the 50th anniversary episode. It has already been confirmed that the Doctor's former foes the Zygons will feature.

Banks Stewart, creator of the shape-shifting aliens, said "The Zygons are in there with all the others - particularly the Daleks and the Cybermen." Currently promoting his new crime thriller novel The Hurricane's Tail, Banks Stewart told Digital Spy. "[But] nobody yet knows what the plot of the 50th will be - Steven Moffat and his team in Cardiff, they are quite rightly keeping it all secret."

It's safe to say that fans are expecting a monster-fest for the November special, so this is encouraging news. While the Cybermen are due to re-appear in a Neil Gaiman episode as part of the current season (7B), there's no reason why they wouldn't make another appearance later on.

Delete! Delete! Delete!

ECCLESTON IN 50TH? QUITE POSSIBLY! *EXCLUSIVE*

An undisclosed source close to the Doctor Who production team indicated to us this morning that Ninth Doctor, Christopher Eccleston may well be seen in the 50th Anniversary special, despite his recent comments to the contrary, and that he could have already filmed his part...!

Eccleston has recently said that he did have a meeting with showrunner Steven Moffat about a possible involvement in the end-of-year spectacular, but came away saying he wouldn't be involved.

However, my tight-lipped source refused to confirm or deny this in a very 'I know something you don't know' manner, which is a very strong pointer towards seeing the Ninth Doctor on our screens, joining Matt Smith and David Tennant.

Tennant, if you remember, recently denied all knowledge and involvement in the same way that Eccleston has.

Remember - you read it here FIRST on Type40 News!

Wouldn't it be FANTASTIC to see him?

SYLVESTER MCCOY ON WHO 50TH

Seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy has stated that he has not been contacted regarding the 50th Anniversary.

"[I've heard] nothing. Niet. Zilch," he said in an interview with IGN. 

He went on to reveal that three other former Doctors have also not been asked to return.

"The other day I was with Tom Baker, Peter [Davison], and Colin [Baker] - the 20th century Who-ers - and Tom asked, 'Well, little man, have you heard anything?' and I told him, 'No, I haven't heard anything'. So none of us have heard anything."

With Peter Davison denying any involvement with the special recently, it seems that every detail is being kept completely under wraps.

We'll bring you more as we hear it.

PETER DAVISON ON WHO 50TH

Fifth Doctor Peter Davison doubts his involvement with the anniversary special.

Image - Wikipedia

Although Davison has confirmed that he is due to enter talks, he revealed at fan convention, MystiCon that he does not expect to play a physical role in the drama, predominantly due to age and appearance,

"I don't think it will involve the older Doctors, certainly in their present form, because of course we're meant to look exactly as we did when we left the TARDIS and none of us really do."

Davison went on to say that he sees his role in the 50th as footage from his days as the Time Lord,


"I think we'll be featured somewhere but I should think it's probably footage lifted from older Doctor stories."

It seems as though no one really knows what's going on when it comes to the 50th... or do they?