The second guest for Sci-Fi Scarborough is top dog in the world of Doctor Who – it’s the voice of everyone’s favourite robotic dog K-9, John Leeson, who also portrayed Bungle Bear on Rainbow.
Already announced is Star Wars actor and puppeteer Mike Quinn.
After leaving school, John Leeson worked in a bookshop, and then as a porter in the Leicester Royal Infirmary Hospital. He joined the Leicester Dramatic Society and ultimately applied for and won a place at RADA.
On leaving the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, he worked in repertory and pantomimes, including Toad of Toad Hall in which he met his future wife.
His first work in television was as a walk-on in a BBC play The Wedding Feast, The Spanish Farm, Dad’s Army and numerous situation comedies followed.
He played the original Bungle the bear in the children’s series Rainbow, set questions for Mastermind and did a lot of freelance voice work for the BBC.
The part of K-9’s voice came his way after he bumped into the director, with whom he had worked previously, in a pub.
Since his time in Doctor Who, Leeson has continued to act and provide voice-over services for the BBC and many other companies.
In 1995 he appeared in the Doctor Who spin-off video drama Downtime playing a disc jockey. John will be joining at the convention for the whole weekend.
Back for a seventh consecutive year at Scarborough Spa on Saturday April 4 and Sunday April 5.
The actor, also famous for his role as Paul Merroney in the Seventies BBC drama series The Brothers, is coming to Edinburgh to attend Capital Sci-Fi Con, which will run at the Corn Exchange from 14-16 February 2020.
Baker starred in Doctor Who as the sixth Doctor, appearing in 11 adventures between 1984 and 1986.
Baker will meet fans, pose for photos and sign autographs at next year’s convention and is also expected to appear on panels during the weekend long event.
The actor was introduced to a whole new fan base in 2012 when he appeared I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here and has since become a popular face on programmes such as Come Dine With Me and Celebrity Antiques Road Show. At Capital Sci Fi Con he will also appear at the annual Meal with the Stars on the Saturday evening.
Capital Sci Fi Con is Edinburgh’s not-for-profit pop culture, comic and movie convention for fans by fans and winner of the Edinburgh Evening News Local Hero Awards Fundraiser of the Year Award Winner 2019.
Money raised from the convention will benefit the charity CHAS (Children’s Hospices Across Scotland) and Rachel House hospice. Rachel House, in Kinross, is a ‘home from home’ for families offering the highest standards of care for children and counselling and advice to families throughout a child’s life and after bereavement. To date Capital Sci Fi Con has raised £250,276.07 for the charity.
For details of Capital Sci Fi Con 2020 guests as they are announced visit here.
SEASON 12 RE-RELEASED AND FURY FROM THE DEEP TO GET ANIMATED!
News just in, London Comic Con has just confirmed that Doctor Who: The Collection Season 12 is being re-released by the BBC, due to popular demand. This was confirmed in a tweet by Lee Binding… More news on this when we receive it…
And the big reveal from our panel (bar how big the Brigs's garden is) is we're doing a LIMITED RUN of Season 12 to help you complete your set. pic.twitter.com/lONeWiCmsS
Just announced on The Animations panel at London Comic Con, Fury from the Deep will be released in 2020 on DVD, Blu-ray and as an exclusive Steelbook next year. It will follow The Faceless Ones, announced earlier this year, and fill another gap in missing Doctor Who episodes.
The six new animated episodes are being made in full colour, in the original black and white and in high definition and the release will include the surviving clips from the original 1968 production. It also stars Frazer Hines as Jamie McCrimmon and Deborah Watling as Victoria Waterfield.
Fury from the Deep is the missing sixth serial of the fifth season of Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in six weekly parts from March to April 1968. Starring Patrick Troughton as the Doctor, the story concerns a colony of sentient, parasitic seaweed, last seen in the eighteenth century, returning to attack a number of gas instillations in the North Sea in an attempt to take over humanity.
No full episodes of this story exist within the BBC archives, and only snippets of footage and still images are still around to represent the story. However, off-air recordings of the soundtrack do exist, making the animation of a complete serial possible once again.
Join writer Bob Baker (K9, Dr Who, Wallace & Gromit, Flora’s World) on Sunday 27th October @ 13.00 GMT as he discuses “Writing for Children” and author Sarah Baker (Through the Mirror Door and Eloise Undercover), for an inspirational Q&A session, chaired by Lottie Storey.
This event is co-hosted by Bristol Festival of Literature.
Ages: 7-11 years
Accessibility: Accessible with disabled toilet. Limited space for buggies.
Event capacity: 30
Details Date: October 27 Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Cost: £4 Event Categories: 10 years, 11 years, 12 years, 13 years, 14 years, 15 years, 16 years, 17 years, 7 years, 7 years +, 8 years, 9 years, Adult, Author Q&A Session, October 27th Event Tags: 7 years +, Accessible, Author Q&A Session, Disabled Toilets Website: https://www.ticketsignite.com/event/1711/-writing-for-children–q-a-session-with-bob-baker—sarah-baker- Organisers: Bob Baker, Sarah Baker
Venue:
The Watershed
1 Canon’s Rd,
Bristol, BS1 5TX + Google Map Phone:
0117 927 5100 Website: https://www.watershed.co.uk/
Dr Who and Daleks spotted filming at the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge
Filming for a forthcoming episode of Doctor Who has been taking place in Bristol.
Met old friends for a curry and, on a whim, went for a stroll over the bridge. Only filming the Dr Who Christmas Special – nine daleks, in formation, on Clifton Suspension Bridge!!! You have been warned Bristol…. pic.twitter.com/SVBZni4OuO
Social media has been seeing images of Daleks on Bristol’s Clifton Suspension Bridge, with rumoursit is for a special episode to be shown over the festive period on BBC-1. Scenes for the upcoming series have already been filmed at Gloucester Cathedral, with other scenes for Jodie Whittaker’s second outing as the Time Lord being shot in Wales and South Africa. On New Year’s Day this year, viewers saw Daleks invading GCHQ in Cheltenham after smashing through the roof of the doughnut. (No spoilers to say their plans were thwarted.)
Please note: GNR would like to stress that there have been no official confirmation from the BBC as to when the above episode may be shown, however the current rumour is that it may be for this years festive special?. Ed
Doctor Who star Colin Baker to attend Thornbury Geekmania
Thornbury residents are being encouraged to ‘get their geek on’ in a event taking place next month.
Geekmania is being held at Thornbury Leisure Centre on Saturday, November 2.
A number of special guests, including Doctor Who star Colin Baker, have already been announced.
Baker played the sixth incarnation of The Doctor, starring in the hit BBC show from 1984-1986.
Also attending will be Mickey Lewis, who has played a number a monsters on the show over the years.
Hollywood movie extra Clem So, who has appeared in hundreds of films including the Star Wars and James Bond franchises, will also be making an appearance.
Visitors are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite hero or villain as there will be on stage competitions.
The SuperHeroes Cosplay will be bringing some movie/tv characters to life, while Gloucestershire Troopers will showcase their Star Wars costumes.
There will also be guest talks and panels as well as displays of props and other collectibles.
Advance tickets, permitting entry from 10am, are priced at £6 (£4 for children under 12).
Tickets will also be available on the door from 11am, and cost £1 extra.
Amanda and Andrew Segal at their Doctor Who themed wedding. Image: James Kitto Photography
Every fan of Doctor Who knows he (or now she) is nothing without a companion – as proven by two superfans of the sci-fi show who vowed to travel time and space together for the rest of their lives when they married on Saturday.
West Cornwall’s answer to The Doctor and Rose – although with a somewhat happier ending to their first kiss – are Andrew and Amanda Segal, who used the BBC series as the theme for their wedding.
Outside The Old Quay House in Hayle, where they held both their ceremony and reception, having enjoyed their first date there, stood a ten foot TARDIS and a Dalek, courtesy of fellow Doctor Who fanatic Bren Carter of The Falmouth Tardis, while K9 the robotic dog was inside, made by a friend.
Amanda’s mum knitted a replica of Tom Baker’s famous Doctor scarf, while her friend Caroline created a TARDIS post box and their wedding favours were chocolate Daleks they made themselves out of a novelty ice cube tray.
“I’ve had chocolate Daleks filling up my fridge for months,” joked Amanda, 48.
Image: James Kitto Photography
Their cake also had a miniature TARDIS on top and a Dalek panel – although they decided to branch out with some Douglas Adams and Harry Potter elements also.
Even their pianist Roger Miners had to double check the correct shade of ‘police box blue’ so he could tie in his waistcoat and trousers.
Image: James Kitto Photography
Amanda (nee Hosking) said: “We met quite late in life, so it’s been quite a love story. We just wanted the day to be a celebration of that, with all our friends.
“It was a really beautiful ceremony and afterwards we just wanted to have some fun.”
The couple from Penzance grew up watching the original episodes, up to Tom Baker, before restarting their viewing when the series regenerated in 2005 with Christopher Eccleston.
It was not, however, until David Tenant came along that Amanda really started to take notice – and, in her own words, “the obsession started.”
Image: James Kitto Photography
She said: “I’m a teaching assistant at Pensans School and some of the children were getting into the new series. They were all talking about it and I thought, ‘I need to start watching this, so I can join in the conversations’. The obsession started.
“They got a bit annoyed with me in the end, because I got a bit obsessed and I started knowing more than they did!”
Everyone who attended agreed it was the the perfect day for the couple, although not all guests were convinced by the theme to begin with.
“When I started talking to my parents about what the theme was, they thought we were nuts. Afterwards they said they were really surprised how many people were interested and how well it all came together,” said Andrew, a journalist for the BBC news website and occasional voice of Radio Cornwall.
Image: James Kitto Photography
The 47-year-old added: “Thanks to everybody who was involved in the organising and just attending. It was as a good a day as we could have, shared with friends and family from all eras of our life.”
Amanda said: “It was an amazing day from beginning to end. We were absolutely blessed with the weather, which was beautiful for October.
“It was perfect. I married the man of my dreams and that was the most important part. The rest of it just added that extra element.”
Image: James Kitto Photography
‘The Edge of Time’ VR game release date, new artwork and details
Publisher PlayStack and Developer Maze Theory have announced today that Doctor Who: The Edge of Time, the feature-length VR videogame, will launch on November 12th 2019.
With multiple references to the series and its 55-year history, Doctor Who: The Edge of Time combines action, adventure and sci-fi, equipping players with the Sonic Screwdriver to solve mind-bending puzzles, escape treacherous environments and come face-to-face with classic Doctor Who monsters, all within virtual reality. Escape from the Weeping Angels, face off against brand-new creatures and pilot a Dalek shell to harness its fearsome weaponry in a thrilling and immersive single-player adventure!
Features:
Become part of Doctor Who – a thrilling single-player adventure developed by Sony London alumni (VR Worlds, The London Heist, Blood and Truth), Doctor Who: The Edge Of Time will immerse players in the world of Doctor Who like never before as they travel across space and time to save reality.
Wield the Sonic Screwdriver – with exhilarating moment-to-moment gameplay, wield the Sonic Screwdriver to solve fiendish puzzles and traverse a dangerous universe full of challenges, enemies and wonder.
Stunning cinematic visuals – from the Dalekanium of a Dalek’s shell, to the stone-cold terror of a Weeping Angel, experience stunning visuals that bring the show to life!
Doctor Who talent – featuring Jodie Whittaker as the voice of the Doctor and Nicholas Briggs as the voice of the Daleks, in a story written by Gavin Collinson, Digital Producer for Doctor Who and author.
To receive the latest updates make sure you add Doctor Who: The Edge of Time to your wish list on Steam.
Developed by immersive entertainment studio Maze Theory, led by former Activision and PlayStation veterans, Doctor Who: The Edge Of Time will launch on November 12th 2019 for PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, HTC Vive and HTC Vive Cosmos.
SIL AND THE DEVIL SEEDS OF ARODOR OFFICIAL LAUNCH TOUR DATES!
31st Oct – 2nd Nov 2019-10-13 SFXW Sci-Fi Weekender, Great Yarmouth
With SOPHIE ALDRED
Your first chance to get copies of the new drama release from our Reeltime Pictures Dealers Table. We’ll be stocking a wide range of titles from our catalogue. http://www.scifiweekender.com
3rd Nov 2019 Rudolf Steiner House, London
ALL STAR CAST LONDON GALA PREMIERE!
With NABIL SHABAN, CHRISTOPHER RYAN, SOPHIE ALDRED, JANET HENFREY, SAKUNTALA RAMANEE, JIM CONWAY, JOHN MICHAEL ROOKE, JAY RAMANEE-MURPHY and Writer PHILIP MARTIN. Plus ALL leading production team members!
If you had to choose one event – this is it! Screening, Reeltime Pictures & Telos Publishing Dealer Table, charity auction of props, unique photo ops., signings! https://www.facebook.com/events/2135656960065441/
8th Nov 2019 QUAD, Derby
EXCLUSIVE REGIONAL PREMIERE!
With NABIL SHABAN, SOPHIE ALDRED, PHILIP MARTIN and KEITH BARNFATHER
The full cinema experience of this HD Stereo production in luxury! Plus Reeltime Pictures Dealer Table, panel and signing! https://www.facebook.com/events/694862530943582/
10th Nov 2019 Return to the Fantasy Factory, The Potteries, Stoke-on-Trent
Reeltime has a Dealers Table at this fantastic event, KEITH BARNFATHER will be there to chat to anyone who’s interested! https://www.facebook.com/events/1433878290084258/
1st Dec 2019 Stars of Time, The Tropicana, Weston-super-Mare
With SOPHIE ALDRED, CHRISTOPHER RYAN and KEITH BARNFATHER
Reeltime Pictures Dealers Table will have DVD and Blu-Rays of our catalogue and there will be the chance to get autographs from Christopher and Sophie. http://www.starsoftime.co.uk/
THE DOCTOR WHO COMPANION – THE TWELFTH DOCTOR: VOLUME TWO
Doctor Who Magazine continues its exhaustive chronicle of the show’s production with a volume dedicated to four memorable episodes of Series 8: Time Heist, The Caretaker,Kill the Moon and Mummy on the Orient Express.
Andrew Pixley’s meticulous behind-the-scenes coverage – reproduced in magazine format for the first time – examines every aspect of the stories’ development, from scripting through to transmission and beyond.
Richly illustrated with rare and previously unseen images, this collectors’ edition is the essential guide to the series that charted a new course for the adventure in space and time…
On sale from Wednesday 16 October at selected branches of WH Smith, price £7.99 (UK).
Please note that this publication is not available as part of a subscription to Doctor Who Magazine.
