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?

DOCTOR WHO AND STAR WARS FANS IN CONVENTION BUST UP

Sci-fi fans are a passionate bunch, and this was evident last Sunday during the Norwich Sci-Fi and Film Convention on Sunday when rival fans clashed, prompting a visit by local police to calm things down.

The BBC reports that one member of a Doctor Who club, Jim Poole, visited the University of East Anglia to collect autographs from Who actors Graham Cole and Jeremy Bulloch - there for a Star Wars convention. Arriving at the venue, Poole received verbal abuse from a Norwich Star Wars Club member and subsequently called the police.

"I was put in a police car. We were both interviewed by the police and told to stay away from each other," he said. Mr Poole said two other members of his club, one dressed as the 10th Doctor and the other as Judge Dredd, had waited outside the venue. "This wasn't a fight between Star Wars fans and Doctor Who fans with lightsabers and sonic screwdrivers drawn," he said. "It's a bit sad and pathetic. We're all in the same boat. We're not in competition."

Thankfully, it seems that balance has been restored to the force and time streams have been re-aligned. Apparently, both clubs were planning to meet up to resolve their differences.

Have you ever experienced any kind of rivalry like this? Shouldn't sci-fi fans all be in it together?

*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!

MCGANN AND THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY EPISODE

New Zealand news site ZBTV features an interesting bit of news from down under, where Eighth Doctor Paul McGann is currently appearing at the Lords of Time convention in Auckland. Interviewed about his role in the long-running series, he is also quizzed about the 50th anniversary episode which is currently filming in the UK.

Paul has previously indicated he would be up for returning to the show as his incarnation of the Doctor, but in the interview he makes reference to Christopher's Eccleston's role in the eagerly-awaited special due for broadcast in November.

"Whatever it is that they're planning and they are making, they've got time to do it. It's my feeling [and] this is just a personal thing, once they resolve Chris Eccleston's participation or non-participation either way, then they're free to [figure it out]... Being actors anyway, they'll call us on the Friday and say, 'You're starting on a Monday'." McGann then added: "We're not going to know until the 11th hour. Half past 11... I can't count the times as an actor, when [you're] offered something and you start next week!" 

Watch the interview here: