MICKEY AND MARTHA IN 50TH SPECIAL AFTER ALL?

A few intriguing tweets on the Internet today have reignited rumours relating to two of the Doctor's more recent companions.

Freema Agyeman (who played Martha Jones) posted the following on her Twitter account @FreemaOfficial today:

Her picture [see here] is of herself and Noel Clarke (Mickey Smith), so is it possible that they went off to do a spot of filming for the 50th Anniversary episode? Noel also posted a photo of the two of them on his account (@NoelClarke).

The last time we saw Martha and Mickey they were married, fighting aliens in series finale The End of Time, so it's not unreasonable to presume that if they were to appear on the show they would do so together.

Either that or they were just meeting up for a drink. The only other explanation could be they were filming material for other Doctor Who-related media, which Freema has mentioned previously:

“I’m doing two things for the 50th but nothing to do with being in the drama. I got misquoted hideously once saying that there are some rumblings going on about being involved in the 50th in terms of the drama. It’s not. 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.”

As for Noel Clarke, this is what he's said:
“I’m sure if I was gonna be there, I’d know about it already. If they called me, then I’m sure there’d be a conversation, but I’m not calling them or chasing it.” 

We'll leave it up to you to decide whether or not there's anything to make of this, but if Freema and Noel are to reprise their roles, given the cast confirmed so far it's going to make the episode pretty crowded!

COMPANIONS

A brand new Doctor Who book is now available from Candy Jar Books for pre-order. Companions: Fifty Years of Doctor Who Assistants is an unofficial and frank guide of the Time Lord’s adventures in space and time. Drawing on plots from the TV series as well as other media, this book is fascinating reading for fans of both the classic and current series of Doctor Who.

To coincide with the launch of the book the publisher, Candy Jar, is asking fans to vote for their favourite Doctor Who companion. The results will be released when the book is published in June. To vote go to:

www.candy-jar.co.uk/companions/index.html

Companions: Fifty Years of Doctor Who Assistants provides readers with an in-depth account of each Doctor's fellow travellers.

Andy Frankham-Allen has been a Doctor Who fan since his childhood and has relished the opportunity to write this book in celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the series. Andy, who penned several Short Trip stories for Big Finish, feels the time is right for a more detailed look at the journey of the Doctor Who companion. He said: “It's been a long time since there's been an honest and frank look at the Doctor's journey and the lives he changes. This book will challenge the notion that he always takes the best.”

Gary Russell, former Doctor Who Magazine editor, Big Finish producer, BBC script editor and Doctor Who novelist, has provided the book’s foreword. Garysaid: “Of course there have been books about companions before – but few of them go into this amount of detail, display this amount of in-depth knowledge and above all, this amount of love. As a celebration of everything that makes the Doctor’s (and therefore our) best friends unique and special, this book is essential.”

Signed copies of the book are now available to pre-order from the Candy Jar Books website (www.candy-jar.co.uk/books/companions.html) for no additional charge.

FIRST LOOK AT THE ICE WARRIORS AND 50TH UPDATE

We brought you the news last month that the Ice Warriors would be returning to Doctor Who in a new episode penned by Mark Gatiss.

Well, the first official image for the second half of series 7 has been released and if you look hard enough, the Ice Warriors can be spotted in the broken glass as Matt Smith and Jenna Louise-Coleman motorcycle down the side of London's Shard building.

Check out the new image and enlarged images of the Ice Warriors below:

Image - BBC

Image - whopix.wordpress.com

Image - whopix.wordpress.com

These newly designed Ice Warriors are not too dissimilar from the original monster and with teeth baring they do look rather frightening. Let's see what Mark Gatiss can pull out the bag when the episode airs in April.

CAPTAIN JACK IS BACK... MAYBE

Image - fanpop.com

John Barrowman has confirmed that he is in talks for the Doctor Who 50th anniversary special.

It was only in January of this year that the actor said he would be disappointed to miss out on the milestone episode. However, during an interview on This Morning a few days ago (March 1), Barrowman announced that he had been contacted:

"I haven't had any information up until just about right now - all I can say to you is that we're discussing things... that's a total exclusive! You guys are the first to ever hear it."

Despite his clear excitement at being involved in the 50th anniversary, Barrowman did go on to emphasize that the talks are in the very early stages:

"Even yesterday I was giving interviews and I was saying I have heard nothing, and now I can give you a little bit of an exclusive. I've heard something."

Since revealing his potential involvement, Barrowman has taken to Twitter, seemingly to calm down fans. He tweeted "Re 50th I didn't say in what capacity or what medium so stay calm and carry on. JB."

With so little having been revealed, speculation and rumours surrounding the 50th are spreading every day. We'll keep you updated when we know more.

MARTHA IS OUT

Image - thesun.co.uk

Freema Agyeman has stated that she will not be starring in the 50th anniversary special. Her claim was made on Twitter on March 3rd and read:

"I'm contributing 2a programme for BBC AMERICA but not involved in the drama. Excited 2watch tho."

The actress who is currently in the US starring in The Carrie Diaries did go on to say that she would play Martha Jones again, providing it was done the right way:

"Would I play Martha Jones again? : Yes - under the right circumstances ie character development opportunity."

We haven't seen Martha since her Sontaran hunting days with hubby Micky (Noel Clarke). Will we see her again?...

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.