Doctor Who star and Gold Blue Peter Badge holder David Tennant calls on fans to get drawing for a chance to win a tour of the top secret Doctor Who set in the Blue Peter Doctor Who Competition.
In a message to fans, he mentions the “brand new Blue Peter competition for Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary, the show that is – we all know The Doctor is well over 900 years old!” Referencing one of the Tenth Doctor’s most famous lines from Doctor Who episode Blink he advises the young budding artists: “Don’t blink. Don’t even blink. Get drawing!”
Launched on Blue Peter on Friday 28 April, the competition invites viewers aged between 5 and 15 to draw Doctor Who fan art and say why they would love the opportunity to win an exclusive set tour.
One talented winner will go behind the scenes to discover how the iconic series is made and find out all about the work of the Production Design team.
The winner will also receive a rare collectable Doctor Who 60th Blue Peter competition winner’s badge. The limited-edition badge will be revealed on Blue Peter on Friday 28 April and will be awarded to the top 500 competition entries.
Editor of Blue Peter, Ellen Evans, says: “We’re celebrating two 60th anniversaries this year, for Doctor Who and for the Blue Peter badge. The two programmes have collaborated many times over the years so I’m thrilled to be able to offer such a unique and exciting experience.”
The competition is open for entries from 5pm on Friday 28 April when full details of how to enter, including rules and privacy notice, will be on the Blue Peter website at www.bbc.co.uk/bluepeter
The competition closes at 5pm on Monday 15 May 2023.
The competition winner and top runners up will be announced in a Doctor Who takeover on CBBC and BBC iPlayer later in the year to mark the return of the iconic show which promises to be a must-see for all young Doctor Who fans.
Viewers can also learn how to create a TARDIS for their bookshelves in a classic Blue Peter ‘make’ shown on the programme on Friday 21 April and available on BBC iPlayer, and fans can also head to the Blue Peter website to create their own sonic screwdriver.
New episodes of Blue Peter are on CBBC and iPlayer every Friday at 5pm. Blue Peter is the longest running kids TV show in the world and is produced by BBC Studios Kids & Family.
The latest Doctor Who Magazine features the first interview with Murray Gold since it was announced that the acclaimed composer, who scored Doctor Who from 2005-17, was returning to the series.
“People started saying, ‘We really need to speak to Murray,’” he tells DWM. “There was a director, Mark Tonderai [overseeing the 2023 Christmas Special]. I was like, ‘What can he possibly want?’ And then Ben [Chessell], who’s directing episode two… this was January 26th and he says, ‘I’m directing this episode and it seems to have a lot of music in it. Have you looked at it?’ Then another director. And another. Then it started to dawn on me: ‘There’s an awful lot of music in this series, isn’t there, Murray?’ I was speaking to myself now, not realising, of course, that my consciousness is just a fantasy. ‘And apparently Russell [T Davies] has entrusted all of it to me.’ And actually that’s quite an honour. I love that man.”
Other highlights of the new issue include:
A giant-double sided poster.
A Big Finish download code for a complete audio adventure.
The DWM 60th Anniversary Poll – the analysis of the results continues, with this issue looking at the rankings of the Third and Fourth Doctor’s adventures.
Liberation of the Daleks Part Seven – the adventures of the Fourteenth Doctor continue in the epic comic-strip adventure written by Alan Barnes and illustrated by Lee Sullivan.
Letter from the Showrunner – Russell T Davies on the casting of new Doctor Who cast member Jinkx Monsoon.
Production Diary – script editor Scott Handcock files his latest report, direct from Doctor Who’s HQ.
Gallifrey Guardian – all the latest official news, including cast announcements.
Scarf Ace – acclaimed artist Dave Gibbons looks back at his work on the Doctor Who comic strip.
Secret Service – Jacqui Stonebridge, who was in charge of Doctor Who’s press and publicity at the time of its launch in 1963, recalls her work on the early days of the series.
The Running Man – Devante Fleming reveals what it’s like to work as a runner on Ncuti Gatwa’s forthcoming episodes.
Writer of the Lost Ark – the life and times of writer John Lucarotti, whose original version of 1975’s The Ark in Space in set for release on audio.
60 Objects, 60 Years– the latest instalment of the series that tells the story of one object from every year of Doctor Who’s history.
The Fact of Fiction travels back to the coronation of 1953 and uncovers the secrets of the Tenth Doctor adventure The Idiot’s Lantern.
Other Worlds – the essential guide to new stories in Doctor Who’s expanded universe.
Previews, reviews, prize-winning competitions, Time and Space Visualiser and more.
Doctor Who Magazine Issue 590 is on sale Thursday 27 April from panini.co.uk and WH Smith priced £7.99 (UK).
Also available as a digital edition from pocketmags.com priced £6.99.
Award-winning composer Murray Gold returns to Doctor Who
Murray Gold originally joined Doctor Who when Russell T Davies first revived the show in 2005, going on to compose the show for over 12 years, he has scored some of the most iconic moments in Doctor Who’s history.
Murray Gold is returning to Doctor Who!
The composer will once again work with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, with his musical scores appearing when #DoctorWho returns in November. pic.twitter.com/802I6NHjwt
From revamping the theme tune, to creating the music for the Dalek and Cybermen to name just a few, Murray has been widely celebrated for his role in forging a new musical identity for the show.
And now he’s back! Murray Gold will once again work with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, with his musical scores appearing when Doctor Who returns in November for three special episodes celebrating the shows 60th anniversary with David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor, before Ncuti Gatwa takes control of the TARDIS as the Fifteenth Doctor with his first episode airing over the festive period.
On returning to Doctor Who, Murray Gold says: “I’m so happy to be invited back for another joyful ride in the TARDIS. I didn’t think twice. Working with Russell and his team is just a pleasure.”
Blue Peter launches competition to win a tour of the top-secret Doctor Who set
One young superfan from the UK will win an exclusive VIP tour and a limited-edition winner’s badge to mark the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who.
Blue Peter and Doctor Who have revealed details of a competition for young viewers to win a unique money-can’t-buy experience.
Launching on Blue Peter this Friday (28 April) viewers in the UK aged between 5 and 15 will be asked to draw Doctor Who fan art and say why they would love the opportunity to win an exclusive set tour.
One talented winner will go behind the scenes to discover how the iconic series is made and find out all about the work of the Production Design team.
The winner will also receive a rare collectable Doctor Who 60th Blue Peter competition winner’s badge. The limited-edition badge will be revealed on Blue Peter on Friday 28 April and will be awarded to the top 500 competition entries.
Gold Blue Peter badge holder, David Tennant, is returning as the Fourteenth Doctor later this year for three special episodes to coincide with the 60th anniversary. In a message to fans, he mentions the “brand new Blue Peter competition for Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary, the show that is – we all know The Doctor is well over 900 years old!”
Editor of Blue Peter, Ellen Evans, says: “We’re celebrating two 60th anniversaries this year, for Doctor Who and for the Blue Peter badge. The two programmes have collaborated many times over the years so I’m thrilled to be able to offer such a unique and exciting experience.”
The competition is open for entries from 5pm on Friday 28 April when full details of how to enter, including rules and privacy notice, will be on the Blue Peter website at www.bbc.co.uk/bluepeter
The competition closes at 5pm on Monday 15 May 2023.
The competition winner and top runners up will be announced in a Doctor Who takeover on CBBC and BBC iPlayer later in the year to mark the return of the iconic show which promises to be a must-see for all young Doctor Who fans.
Viewers can also learn how to create a TARDIS for their bookshelves in a classic Blue Peter ‘make’ shown on the programme last Friday (21 April) and available on BBC iPlayer, and fans in the UK can also head to the Blue Peter website to create their own sonic screwdriver.
New episodes of Blue Peter are on CBBC and iPlayer every Friday at 5pm. Blue Peter is the longest running kids TV show in the world and is produced by BBC Studios Kids & Family.
As part of the Coronation Concert, The Royal Ballet, The Royal Opera, the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Royal College of Music and The Royal College of Art will come together for the first time ever to create a spectacular one-off performance featuring Ncuti Gatwa and Mei Mac. Based around themes of love and togetherness, the piece will combine music, dance, art and theatre in what will be the ultimate Royal collaboration.
At the centre of the show, the Royal Shakespeare Company will perform excerpts from a Shakespeare play, featuring Ncuti Gatwa, who received an Ian Charleson Commendation for his role of Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet at Home Theatre Manchester and played Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Shakespeare’s Globe, and Mei Mac, Olivier Award nominee for My Neighbour Totoro.
The Royal patronages will perform a beautiful arrangement of a classic song from West Side Story, with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, performed by members of the Royal Opera Chorus. Principal dancers with The Royal Ballet, Francesca Hayward and Marcelino Sambé, will also perform a bespoke piece of choreography for the occasion.
The visual backdrop projected on to Windsor Castle and the stage will showcase artworks by students from The Royal College of Art. Alongside the other performers, a string quartet of four Royal College of Music students will perform as soloists: Katherine Yoon and Betania Johnny on violin, Declan Wicks on viola and Marion Portelance on cello, who will be playing a cello once owned and played by His Majesty, now in the collection of The Royal College of Music.
Ncuti performed at the Globe for 2 years under director Emma Rice and producer Kneehigh Theatre. Ncuti also performed at Dundee Rep Theatre and in his time there performed in rep across six different plays including Hecuba, And Then There Were None and Victoria.
The concert will be hosted by renowned actor Hugh Bonneville, who has starred in numerous popular TV series and films including Downton Abbey, The Gold, Twenty Twelve, W1A, Notting Hill and the Paddington films. Hugh will set the scene for the evening’s entertainment as the artists prepare for their performances and introduce them as they take to the stage.
He says: “I’m delighted to be taking part in this unique event, celebrating the best of musical entertainment in honour of His Majesty’s coronation. In true British style, come rain or shine it will be a night to remember.”
It will take place in the grounds of Windsor Castle on 7 May, celebrating the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and The Queen in front of 20,000 members of the public and invited guests and will be broadcast to the nation on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, as well as BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.
The two-issue comic series is the first story to be announced in the multi-platform ‘Doom’s Day’ adventure to celebrate the show’s 60th anniversary.
Titan Comics are thrilled to announce a two-issue comic series launching on July 5, 2023, as part of the Doctor Who multi-platform story DOOM’S DAY. The comic series will feature fan-favourite character Missy on the trail of new character Doom, who makes her comic book debut.
It was announced last month that Titan Comics are participating in BBC Studios’ multi-platform Doctor Who story, Doom’s Day to celebrate Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary. Doom’s Day is a standalone transmedia series across multiple platforms and will allow Doctor Who fans to follow Doom, the Universe’s greatest assassin, as she travels through all of time and space in pursuit of the Doctor to save her from her ever-approaching Death. She only has 24 hours and a vortex manipulator to save herself before her fate is sealed forever.
Available in comic stores and on digital devices at release, Titan’s Doctor Who: Doom’s Day #1 comic is an adventure starring Doom in her comic book debut – using her vortex manipulator, she’ll do anything to find the tempestuous time traveller, the Doctor, including cavorting with the maleficent Missy. Every hour a new adventure, every hour closer to death…
DOCTOR WHO: DOOM’S DAY #1 is written by Eisner-nominated Jody Houser (STRANGER THINGS, STAR WARS, SPIDER-MAN) with art by Roberta Ingranata (WITCHBLADE). The comic debuts with two covers for fans to collect: from celebrated artist Pasquale Qualano, and a photo cover variant.
Jake Devine, Editor, Titan’s Doctor Who Comics, says:
“I’m so excited to be working with Jody and Roberta once more, and I can’t think of a better team to introduce this dazzling new character to the world of Doctor Who comic books. Throw Missy into the fold and you’ve got one sensational adventure!”
DOCTOR WHO: DOOM’S DAY #1 is now available to pre-order globally from May’s Diamond Previews catalogue, Forbidden Planet (with an alternative photo cover available here) and on digital device via Comixology.
(Author of three Doctor Who books – Un-Conventional: 13 Years of Meeting the Stars of Doctor Who, The Other Side of the Table and The Man Behind the Master: the Biography of Anthony Ainley) Karen Louise Hollis gives a personal account of her time at The Capitol 2023 convention.
It’s a while since I attended a Doctor Who convention, but I am a bit of a veteran with my first one I went to being back in 1997. It’s twenty-six years since I first met Colin Baker and Wendy Padbury, twenty-five years since I first met Katy Manning – so it was great to catch up with these three, and others, at the DWAS convention The Capitol – Six Decades in Crawley last weekend.
The sold out event boasted a great cast list – one Doctor (Colin), one Showrunner (Steven Moffat) and nine companions (Wendy Padbury, Katy Manning, Matthew Waterhouse, Sarah Sutton, John Leeson, Louise Jameson, Dan Starkey, Nicola Bryant and Frazer Hines) plus assorted other authors, artists, cast and crew.
As I had my eleven-year-old son with me, we didn’t watch many of the panels, though as he’s a big Katy Manning fan, we did watch her being interviewed by Tony Jordan, which was a highlight of the event. She always has a great story to tell and answers which go off topic until she is nudged back on track. Her variety of voices is extraordinary and she is so entertaining, always worth watching and no two Katy interviews are ever the same.
I also enjoyed the Dan Starkey and Stuart Milligan panel. I hadn’t seen Stuart Milligan before, but he was very entertaining and charismatic. I have met Dan once before and love him as Strax. He was also very approachable and happy to exchange a few words when we saw him around the hotel. His panel was hilarious, he kept throwing in Sontaran lines and it was obvious he loves the character as much as the fans do. He described Strax as “psychotic, but well-meaning” which I loved. He said the Paternoster gang all get on really well and he has particularly bonded well with Neve McIntosh, as they both spend literally hours together in prosthetics getting ready for their roles. In fact, Dan said he loves doing the audios because he doesn’t need to wear all the prosthetics!
The only other panel I saw some of was the last one where Louise Jameson presented John Leeson with the DWAS Award for his Outstanding Contribution to Doctor Who. Let’s just say, it wasn’t only John who had tears in his eyes.
Everyone’s convention experience will be unique. You can watch all the panels, get all the guests’s autographs, have your photo taken with the guests or hang out with your mates. My main priorities this year were to hang out with friends (most of whom I hadn’t seen for four years) and get photos with Colin, Wendy, Katy, Dan and Steven Moffat, which we did. I was excited about meeting Steven, I have loved so much of his work over the years, But when I met him, I decided to tell him I’d loved Jekyll from 2007, starring James Nesbitt. Steven quipped “Oh, you were the one!” I later met him to get his autograph and again found him warm and friendly.
It was also great to catch up with Charlie Hayes – daughter of Wendy Padbury and Melvyn Hayes. We signed together at an event years ago and have been Facebook friends since. I asked the photographer Robin Prichard if I could have a photo with both Wendy and Charlie. Charlie and I were chatting in the queue and she was laughing at the fact she was queueing up to have a photograph taken with her own mother!
Louise Jameson was also really lovely and came over to have a chat to my son. She had met him at a Whoovers event in Derby when he was about two years old and I showed her the photo. She was happy to have another photo taken of them together and he was so pleased she took the time to talk to him.
I’d also like to mention Kammy Darweish who played the brilliant and memorable Kumar in Season 13’s Survivors of the Flux. I got his autograph and had a chat with him and he was lovely, very easy to talk to and incredibly handsome.
The Capitol is without doubt the best event I have been to. It is so well organised and really good value for money. They always have a wonderful mix of guests and it feels a very safe place. My son has ADHD and autism, yet was completely accepted and understood by everyone there and several other fans came to tell me they, or their children, had similar diagnoses.
It is also an event where I have met some of my best friends and this year, I again made new ones in queues and hanging around the hotel. Everyone was really friendly and it’s easy to talk to people because you know you have at least one thing in common!
Next year’s event is due to be held in Birmingham and I am really hoping I can go.
A first look at the Doctor and Ruby as they arrive in the swinging 60’s, as filming continues for the new series.
Doctor Who returns in November 2023 with three special episodes with David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor to coincide with the 60th anniversary. Ncuti Gatwa’s first episode as the Fifteenth Doctor will then air over the festive period.
Doctor Who will premiere exclusively on the BBC for the UK and Ireland. Disney+ will be the exclusive home for new seasons of Doctor Who outside of the UK and Ireland.
First look at Doctor Who’s Jinkx Monsoon as the Doctor’s “most powerful enemy yet”
Jinkx Monsoon has landed and started filming for Doctor Who and here is the first look image of her in character… as the Doctor’s most powerful enemy yet!
Jinkx has cultivated an international fanbase after winning two seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race including an All Stars season where she was crowned Queen of Queens, competing against other winners of the show.
Jinkx joins Doctor Who after completing her sell out run on Broadway, where she made her highly-anticipated debut as Matron ‘Mama’ Morton in Broadway’s longest-running show, Chicago. Her run on Broadway was a historic moment for the LGBTQIA+ community, as she became the first drag queen to play the role of Mama Morton, breaking box office records in her extended 8-week run.
Doctor Who returns in November 2023 with three special episodes with David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor to coincide with the 60th anniversary. Ncuti Gatwa’s first episode as the Fifteenth Doctor will then air over the festive period.
Doctor Who will premiere exclusively on the BBC for the UK and Ireland. Disney+ will be the exclusive home for new seasons of Doctor Who outside of the UK and Ireland.
Ed: What do you think of this casting? Please leave comments below!
Doctor Who: An Unlikely Heist Now Out on Mobile – Feat. Mandip Gill!
From Tilting Point and Whaleapp LTD, Doctor Who: An Unlikely Heist is out NOW on Apple Arcade, and show star Mandip Gill is here to share in our excitement!
Join the Thirteenth Doctor and Yasmin Khan on an adventure to save London from a mysterious time-altering fog, and the roving Daleks who may or may not be responsible. Find hidden objects.
to unravel the mystery, and participate in special events which unveil familiar faces and stories!
