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.

 

COMPANIONS BOOK SIGNING ANNOUNCED!

To celebrate the release of the much anticipated Companions: Fifty Years of Doctor Who Assistants by Andy Frankham-Allen, London’s The Who Shop has organised a book-signing event this coming Saturday in collaboration with award-winning publishers, Candy Jar.

Companions is an extensive and comprehensive examination of those the Doctor has deemed ‘the best’, and includes Expanded Universe appearances. No collection would be complete without a copy so why not get along to 39-41 Barking Road, Upton Park, E6 1PY this Saturday and get a signed copy. You can even challenge Andy with a Who-related question, make it a good one though; he’s a walking Doctor Who encyclopeadia! You have been warned.

Buy from Amazon now! 

DOCTOR WHO CONFIRMED FOR EIGHTH SERIES

Copyright BBC

Steven Moffat has confirmed that Doctor Who will return for an eighth series. Speaking at the BAFTA TV Awards at London's Royal Festival Hall on Sunday, he told BANG Showbiz: "Series eight of 'Doctor Who' is absolutely, definitely confirmed. It is real and it's happening." While Matt Smith has previously declared he has no intention of leaving the show just yet, so far there has been no official confirmation that he will return.

Moffat also commented about the various rumours that had been flying around about the forthcoming 50th anniversary episode: "Normally I'm responsible for the disinformation and the rubbish rumours about Doctor Who episodes, but I haven't needed to for the 50th anniversary episode. People are spinning off the most amazing things – it's quite incredible! Some of them are actually quite good ideas, I might use them in the future. There have been some very creative rumours but I can't say which ones I'm actually going to use."

Well, we can't say we're surprised to hear that the Doctor will be returning. Given the appetite for the 50th episode, along with strong ratings for the current series it would seem madness for the Beeb to halt the show. Of course, no show is automatically approved for a new series – even Who has to get clearance!

What do you think about the next series? Do you think Matt with be back? What enemies would you like to see?

MATT AND JENNA FILMING IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE!



Source: London Evening Standard

The TARDIS lands in Trafalgar Square! Well not so much lands as dangles. But the dangling doesn’t stop there as beneath it clings Matt Smith who, along with Jenna-Louise Coleman, were there to film scenes for the 50th anniversary episode.


As a large crowd watched from under umbrellas the time ship was hoisted into the air and suspended from a huge crane over the Square. Apart from Matt being in danger of getting squished by the eponymous blue box just think of what the pigeons are going to do to the paintwork!

NEW PROMO IMAGE

A brand new promo image for The Bells of Saint John has been released.

The first episode of series 7B airs on both BBC One and BBC America on March 30th. The episode sees the Doctor and new companion, Clara, take on a monster lurking in the UK Wi-Fi.

Check out the image below:

Image - Copyright BBC / Adrian Rogers