50 'TIL 50TH!

Today marks a mere 50 days before audiences are finally treated to the broadcast of The Day of the Doctor, the 50^th anniversary special episode of Doctor Who to be shown on November 23^rd.

Alongside this countdown, BBC Worldwide have recently announced that the episode will be broadcast in over 75 countries. Such places include USA, Canada, Australia and various areas of Europe to name a few.

But in case you thought your T.V at home was the only way you could catch the episode, over 200 cinemas around the UK are simultaneously showing a live screening in 3D.

Tim Davie, chief executive of BBC Worldwide, said: “In its 50^th anniversary year, we wanted to create a truly international event for Doctor Who fans in as many countries as possible and the simultaneous broadcast and cinema screening of the special across so many countries will make for a fitting birthday tribute to our Time Lord.”

So even though the show is so closely tied with British culture, it’s no wonder that other countries will be able to experience this momentous occasion.

FIRST POSTER FOR DAY OF THE DOCTOR!

Now that we find ourselves closer to the 50th anniversary spectacular coming later this year, it comes as no surprise that any news Who-related is met with more excitement than ever. If you ever thought that the BBC were being too secretive in their talk of the programme, fear not, for they have answered. Find below the first of many posters to be released to celebrate the Doctor Who spectacular..

©BBC 2013

Certainly has the 'block-buster movie' feel about it.

Most notable element to this poster, is the announcement of the episode's title, 'Day of the Doctor'. However, attention should also be brought to the portion taken up by John Hurt's character - surrounded by an explosions of Daleks and repeated prints of the words 'Bad Wolf' - certainly makes you wonder what kind of connection the episode will have with the show's previous storylines. Now that we've caught the first visual tease of the episode, it's seems a safe thing to say that Matt Smith is certainly going to have a memorable exit episode. But more importantly, what do you think? Sound off in the comments below!

WHO COMES TO COMIC-CON!

If you were lucky enough to be in Cardiff over the weekend, chances are you may have noticed a slight increase in excitement coming from the Motorpoint Arena. Thanks to some dedicated fans, a few kind celebrities and the occasional Dalek, what you stumbled upon was none other than Cardiff Comic-Con 2013.

With a crowd of fans stretching all the way around the building as their favourite hero/villain/Doctor, enthusiasm was at a high from the very beginning. Within seconds, any passer-by would see Spiderman, Doctor Who and Darth Vader  in casual chatter and ready to enjoy the day - a day that was undeniably a success.

Yet even with its ridiculously diverse fanbase, Who still managed to have its own place in the hall, with celebrities and fans alike sharing their passion for the show in their own special way.

Attending stars from Who included Colin Baker, Frazer Hines, Kai Owen, Anthony Head, John Leeson, Mat Irvine and Laurie Goode, all of which were heavily involved in talking to the fans on a one-to-one basis.

Who was also the subject of many cosplayers, dressing as their favourite characters including the uncanny Matt Smith incarnation (found below) and a surprisingly original TARDIS-inspired gown.

The showdown we all want to see.

Candy Jar Books' own Terry Cooper also made his own appearance as everyone's favourite pirate, Captain Jack Sparrow. Having spent Sunday entirely in-character for 10 hours straight, he's certainly a performer worth admiring! Check out his official Facebook page here.

In hindsight, the two-day event was a wonderful way for fans to meet their heroes, as well as to celebrate an ever-growing source of imagination. After all, where else would we see Cybermen dancing with the Doctor if not our television screens?

NEXT DOCTOR TO BE REVEALED THIS SUNDAY!

Well, the wait will soon be over. The BBC has announced that they will be revealing the identity of the actor to play the Twelfth Doctor this Sunday. 'Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor' will be broadcast on BBC One at 7pm and will also be simulcast live on BBC America.

The half hour show will include live special guests, Doctors old and new, as well as companions and celebrity fans.

Steven Moffat says: “The decision is made and the time has come to reveal who’s taking over the TARDIS. For the last of the Time Lords, the clock is striking twelve.”

Here's the trailer:

*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!

CAPTAIN JACK'S NOT BACK

With all the rumours, speculation and secrecy surrounding the 50th Anniversary special, it's hard to believe the cold hard facts that we do receive.

However, this one seems hard to dispute as Captain Jack Harkness himself has confirmed that he is not involved in the 50th via Twitter.

'I will not be involved in the 50th Anniversary Episode of Dr WHO' wrote Barrowman yesterday (March 24).

It appears that this is concrete and there will be no more Captain Jack in the foreseeable future. I guess our hopes lie in the renewal of Torchwood.

AND NOW THE TRAILER...

With the prequel to The Bells of Saint John only just being released, there's now a trailer to go with it.

Take a look below:

 

THE BELLS OF SAINT JOHN PREQUEL

A prequel to The Bells of Saint John has been released by the BBC, one week prior to the Doctor's return.

Check it out below:

THE DOCTOR RETURNS... AT 6:15

Doctor Who's first episode of 2013 has its time slot confirmed by the BBC: The Bells of Saint John will air on BBC One at 6:15pm.

The Bells of Saint John poster

According to Matt Smith, the episode is a 'modern day cinspiracy thriller [that's] like Doctor Who meets Bourne meets Bond'. Check out the movie-style posters for the following three episodes below:

Episode 2, The Rings of Akhaten poster (our personal favourite)

Episode 3, The Cold War poster - The Ice Warriors return

Episode 4, Hide poster - a good old fashioned ghost story

The return of the Doctor begins BBC One's new early evening line-up with the second series of The Voice immediately following at 7:00pm. 

THE DOCTOR'S GREATEST SECRET REVEALED?

The Moff, along with Matt Smith and Jenna Louise-Coleman have revealed some rather sintillating facts about the upcoming run of episodes and the 50th Anniversary.

Speaking at a Q&A session after an exclusive screening of The Bells of Saint John, Moffat and co. showed their enthusiasm for the second half of series 7 and gave their impressions on the script for the 50th.

On the subject of the 50th Anniversary, Smith said: "You won't be disappointed... I read it and clapped at the end.

I think it's going to be the biggest, the best, the most inventive, the most exciting year for the show."

Moffat, commenting on the 50th, has stopped anybody from giving him a physical copy of the script:

"I'll tell you, one length I've gone to, which I think is a really, really good security measure - I make sure I don't get a script. Because I will lose it. So I forbid people to hand me one." he said.

Coleman was also asked about her thoughts on the anniversary script.

She said: "It really is epic and I think it's really a treat for the fans of the last fifty years."

In further news, Steven Moffat has also announced that River Song (Alex Kingston) will return in series 7b.

He said: "Yes. She will certainly be in this series."

The trio were later asked to elaborate on their personal highlights, to which Smith and Coleman discussed the show's new mosters and guest stars. Moffat however ended the question with a very big boast:

"And the Doctor's greatest secret will be revealed. And actually will. I'm not lying." 

There is a lot going on and, naturally, the hype will only continue to grow. With the 50th Anniversary on the horizon and the new run of episodes starting in two weeks, we're expecting to bring you a TARDIS full of information very soon. As JNT once said. Stay tuned!

NEW TRAILER

A brand new trailer has arrived for the second half of series 7.

Showing more of the monsters and providing more tidbits of information on new companion Clara, saying we're excited seems pointless. WE CAN'T WAIT.

Check out the new trailer below:

CAROLINE SKINNER STEPS DOWN

Caroline Skinner, Executive Producer of Doctor Who has announced today (March 13) that she is leaving the show for a new position in London.

With the second half of series 7 just two weeks away and production of the 50th anniversary special around the corner, Skinner has left her position with immediate effect.

Faith Penhale, BBC Wales' Head of Drama who will be taking over the role said:

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Caroline for her contribution to Doctor Who since taking on the role in 2011, on behalf of both the BBC and the show. She leaves the show in good shape – there's a brilliant series starting on Easter Saturday that will see the official arrival of the Doctor's new companion! And the 50th Anniversary plans are on track to deliver audiences an unmissable event! I wish her all the very best for the future."

Skinner provided her own statement on the news:

"It has been an honour to have been a part of Doctor Who, and a privilege to have worked with Steven Moffat and Matt Smith on this extraordinary show. I have hugely enjoyed my time in BBC Wales and would like to thank Faith Penhale, and our wonderful production team for their unending commitment and brilliance. I will miss them all enormously, but I'm leaving Doctor Who in fine form, with the new series starting at Easter and the fantastic plans for the 50th Anniversary already underway. I am delighted to be now returning to BBC Drama Production in London as an executive producer, and the new opportunities and projects that will bring."

We wish her the best of luck in London.

DOCTOR WHO POINTLESS CELEBRITIES SPECIAL

The Doctor Who special of Pointless Celebrities has been confirmed for Saturday March 23 at 6pm on BBC One, just one week before the Doctor returns in the new run of episodes.

Image - Copyright BBC

The one-off edition will see four pairs of Doctor Who stars face off against each other as they try to win the Pointless Trophy. Bernard Cribbins and Jacqueline King are the 'noble team', Andrew Hayden-Smith (replacing Colin Baker who was taking part in I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here at the time of filming) and Nicola Bryant form the 'sixth Doctor' team with Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred making up the team of the 'seventh Doctor'. Finally, the 'companion' team consists of Frazer Hines and Louise Jameson whilst K-9 (John Leeson and Mat Irvine) will be on hand to assist hosts Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman.

Osman, a fan of Doctor Who, recently spoke to Doctor Who Magazine regarding our favourite Time Lord:

"Doctor Who's got everything hasn't it? It's got amazing stories. It's got a sort of soap opera behind the scenes of who's going to be the next Doctor. It's got great writers and an intelligence and a humanity behind it. Doctor Who has brought nothing but good things into the world."

Doctor Who returns to BBC One on 30 March.