COLIN BAKER GETS TO SAY GOODBYE

Way back in 1986, for reasons beyond his control, Colin Baker was effectively 'fired' from the lead role in Doctor Who. He was made the fall guy. At the time, angry and annoyed, he refused to come back in 1987 to record a regeneration story, and so as a result the Sixth Doctor never had a final adventure as performed by Colin Baker, until now...

September 2015 sees the release of a very special story from Big Finish, as The Last Adventure at last provides a heroic exit for Colin Baker’s much-loved Time Lord...

Says David Richardson, Big Finish producer, ‘I spoke to Colin not long after Matt Smith’s final outing, The Time of the Doctor, was broadcast on television. I felt very strongly that regeneration stories, and each Doctor’s final end, are very important to Doctor Who fans And so I asked Colin if he might finally consider doing the Sixth Doctor’s final story with us. To my huge delight, he said yes.’

Colin Baker was very open to the idea, saying he owes it to Big Finish as they were responsible for giving him the opportunity to re-address the bad press his Doctor often gets. 'At Big Finish the Sixth Doctor has lived and breathed anew and developed in a way that I am extremely happy with. I never actually filmed a regeneration, and left poor Sylvester floundering around in my empty clothing with a blond wig on, I have resolutely maintained the lie that I am still the Doctor and all the rest are imposters because I never regenerated!'

The Last Adventure will be released in a lavish book-sized box set which will contain special photography, illustrations and behind the scenes interviews, as well as four hour-long episodes. The stories are connected by the presence of Michael Jayston as the Valeyard, the entity that exists between the Doctor’s twelfth and final regeneration.

THE FIVE(ISH) DOCTORS REBOOT COMING TO DVD!

© 2013 BBC

Colin Baker has announced that The Five(ish) Doctor's Reboot will receive an official release on DVD.

The 50th anniversary 'alternative' special follows the humorous tale of 'classic' Doctor's Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy and Peter Davison (who also wrote and directed the special) as they attempt to find a place in the official 50th Anniversary adventure, The Day of the Doctor.

A welcome treat to the fans, this special provided a much more comically-driven look at Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary. 

No official release date has yet been announced.

DOCTOR WHO-GLE!

Just when we thought there couldn't possibly be any more surprises ready for tomorrow's broadcast, Google goes and puts their own spin on the madness.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary, the internet giant gave users the chance to go on their own mini adventure in the form of a cute little isometric platformer game.

Choose one of the 11 pixelated Doctors as you take on the Daleks and traverse dangerous terrain. But worry not, if you die, you simply regenerate into the next incarnation, a nice little touch for us fans.

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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?

WHO'S WHO?

Image © BBC

Amidst all the excitement surrounding the royal baby let’s not get distracted from what’s really important; who’ll be the new Who? According to RadioTimes.com we could know by next month; the BBC is, apparently, seriously considering revealing the identity of the new Doctor on a Doctor Who Confidential special, as done with the introduction of Matt Smith in 2010.

According to the same source, the 50th anniversary episode of Doctor Who will feature one of the pre-Eccleston Doctors, either Paul McGann, Colin Baker, Sylvestor McCoy, Peter Davison or Tom Baker. With David Tennant returning for the highly anticipated episode, that’ll make three Doctors on call - four if you count John Hurt. Having some back-up, however, might be a sane move when facing both the Zygons and the Daleks.

THE NAME OF THE DOCTOR REVIEW

Our review of The Name of the Doctor, series seven's finale episode, is now live. But beware - there be spoilers ahead! If you've not watched the episode, do so first. You have been warned!

http://type40reviews.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/the-name-of-doctor-review-spoilers-ahead.html

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.

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. 

50TH ANNIVERSARY UPDATE

A MONTH OF NEWS IN ONE

JOHN BARROWMAN ON WHO 50TH:

Image - fanpop.com

Captain Jack (the spacey, timey-wimey one) has recently spoken to The Los Angeles Times about the Doctor Who 50th anniversary and whether Captain Jack Harkenss will be making a return.

"If there is, I haven't been asked... Personally, as a fan of the show, I would be disappointed if Capt. Jack was not involved."

As with all speculation surrounding the historic show, nothing is being given away.

Everyone at type40 news would enjoy seeing Captain Jack Harkness back on our screens. We will just have to wait and see what happens.

NO ROSE TYLER FOR WHO 50TH

Image - fanpop.com

Billie Piper has appeared on The Graham Norton Show where she seemed to make it clear that there would be no return for marmite companion Rose Tyler for the upcoming anniversary.

Rumours of Rose's return to the show began following comments made by Matt Smith last year where he stated that if he were to have any companion from the past, "I would have Rose."

Piper's recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show however crushed any rumours.

"No. I've not been asked... I think Matt Smith said something in passing or in jest like, 'That would be nice, and it became something, but no."

It looks as though Rose will remain in her alternate universe.

FREEMA AGYEMAN RULES OUT MARHTA 50TH RETURN

Image - thesun.co.uk

Freema Agyeman has spoken to Crave Online about her role in the Doctor Who 50th annniversary show. However, she states that there will be no Martha.

"I got misquoted hideously once saying that there are some rumblings going on about being involved in the 50th in terms of drama. It's not." she said.

She continued: "It's in terms of conventions and interviews and things like that, which we're all doing stuff to promote the 50th. We have to. It's the Doctor Who family and we want to."

Again, there is so little known about the 50th anniversary that we won't rule anybody out of returning.

COLIN BAKER DENIES MULTI-DOCTOR STORY

Image - doctorwho.maxupdates.tv

Just as we were getting excited following the rumour of Matt Smith being joined by his seven surviving predecessors, sixth Doctor, Colin Baker, has denied the report.

Almost immediately following the reports, Baker tweeted: "Alas apart from The Big Finish [audio drama] plans I am not aware of any 50th stories nor have I been approached."

One fan tweeted to Baker suggesting that he could be covering up the truth about the anniversary.

Baker responded by tweeting: "There's no point in me tweeting if you don't believe me."

More rumours. More denials. Only the Moff knows what is going to happen.

DAVID BRADLEY TO PLAY FIRST DOCTOR, WILLIAM HARTNELL IN GATISS' AN ADVENTURE IN SPACE AND TIME

Game of Thrones and Harry Potter star David Bradley has been confirmed to portray the First Doctor in Mark Gatiss', An Adventure In Space and Time, a drama focussing on the creation of Doctor Who.

Images - doctorwho.maxupdates.tv / DigitalSpy

Bradley is no stranger to the world of Doctor Who, having played the space pirate, Solomon in the Chris Chibnall episode, 'Dinosaurs On A Spaceship' and frankly, we think he will do a fine job in bringing the first incarnation of the Doctor to life.

THE MOFF IS AWARE OF THE WEIGHT ON HIS SHOULDERS FOR WHO 50TH

Steven Moffat has spoken about his feelings regarding the Doctor Who 50th anniversary show to the Radio Times. 

Although the interview was more focussed on the fast approaching second half of season 7, Moffat did mention the 50th.

"I'm mostly excited [about the anniversary], a little bit nervous and aware of trying not to let people down."

Image - guardian.co.uk

After a rather lacklustre opening half to the new season, Moffat has some extremely high expectations to satisfy.

Doctor Who has a return date of March 30th on BBC One.