There was an unexpected surprise for the Prime Minister today as she launched the Conservative Party manifesto in Halifax, West Yorkshire. Look carefully at the picture below and you might just notice a familiar figure from Saturday night telly – they’ve even brought their own Theresa May mask all the way from Skaro in an attempt to blend in.
It’s not the first time the Daleks have tried to get into politics, of course. They’ve also cropped up during the 2005 and 2010 general elections, on the cover of Radio Times…
ITV will no doubt now be on high alert for Cybermen at tonight’s Leaders’ Debate in Manchester.
‘Sonic screwdriver’ to be added to the Oxford English Dictionary
With the Doctor impersonating a university lecturer in Doctor Who series 10, it feels kind of appropriate that one of his best-known tools is about to take its place in the Oxford English Dictionary.
‘Sonic screwdriver’ will be added to the OED in June this year, joining other Doctor Who entries ‘Tardis’, ‘Dalek’ and ‘Cyberman’.
“The sonic screwdriver won’t get you out of every tricky situation (as the Fourth Doctor had to admit) but it definitely worth having in your TARDIS toolbox, and, pretty soon, it’s going to be available in that other big blue cabinet of endless curiosity, the OED,” a blog post on the Oxford Dictionaries website revealed.
As well as showing off their Whovian credentials with an impressive potted history of the Doctor’s “multipurpose tool and get-out-of-jail-free card”, the blog post also points out that the term sonic screwdriver has travelled far beyond the BBC1 sci-fi series.
“Outside of the Whoniverse, the sonic screwdriver has become a type of ultimate tool of the future, and has inspired real-life attempts to mimic the Gallifreyan technology, including a large tabletop machine created by Dundee University scientists, which is capable of lifting and turning objects using beams of ultrasound,” the post explains.
A pot of sonic screwdrivers from The Doctors past.
And given that the Doctor has taken to hoarding past models on his desk at the university (picture above), perhaps new companion and eager student Bill might be able to improve on Dundee’s efforts?
Schoolgirl, 11, crowned world’s biggest Doctor Who fan with record collection
DOCTOR’S ORDERS: Lily has turned her room into a shrine to the Time Lord.
Lily Connors, 11, has collected 6,641 items from the show.
The youngster has been hooked on the adventures of the Time Lord since she was three and has turned her bedroom into a shrine to the sci-fi hit.
Lily exterminated the previous Guinness world record set by Ian O’Brien, 57, who hoarded more than 1,573 items of memorabilia.
The young fan, from Swansea, said: “When I broke the record it was awesome. It was the best thing ever.
“I showed all of my friends, and they couldn’t believe it. They were shocked I got a world record. My friends like Doctor Who, but I absolutely love it.”
The fanatic’s collection has cost about £2,000 and includes gifts from family, pals and members of the cast.
IBRARY: Lilly has collected 6,641 items honouring the time traveller
Her dad Tom, 54, gave her his old action figures including a white Dalek and a Cyberman.
He also built his daughter a Tardis wardrobe that has been signed by current Doctor, Peter Capaldi, 58, who is set to quit later this year.
Lily added: “My favourite part of my collection is my Tardis wardrobe.
“I have met cast members and have been to watch the show being filmed, too. All I want for Christmas and my birthday is Doctor Who presents.”
STARS: The fan meets Doctor Who actor Peter Capaldi
The family, including Lily’s brother Ryan, five, sister Rhianna, seven, and 30-year-old stepbrother Tom, watch the show.
Her mum Charlotte, 31, said: “We loved the show but for Lily it was life-changing. By the time she was 10 her room had become a shrine.”
John Barrowman’s massive garage sale is PACKED with Doctor Who items
John Barrowman has a LOT of stuff. The man is coming down in clothes, homeware and – most exciting of all – Doctor Who memorabilia.
Clearly it’s all got a bit much because the Torchwood star and his husband Scott are holding an enormous garage sale at their home this weekend and he’s given us a sneak peek on Twitter.
“It’s a good memorabilia show,” says Barrowman as he takes us on a tour.
No kidding. Just get a look at all the Doctor Who and Torchwood goodies up for grabs…
Barrowman’s merchandise game is STRONG.
If you find yourself in the vicinity of Palm Springs, California, you can go and ogle the goods in person this Saturday and Sunday. The rest of us will have to make do with watching on from afar.
Doctor Who’s famous sonic screwdriver may be an invention of science fiction, but a team of scientists at the Australian National University could help to make it a reality.
Physicists Marcus Doherty and Michael Barson have created a prototype for a handheld device that will be able to analyse an object’s chemical properties, similar to the device used on the TV show.
Dr Doherty, who had been working with quantum microscopes for the past 10 years, said the idea for the device came about after realising it would be possible to combine the technology with diamond nanobeads.
“It’s very close to the idea of an MRI image of a single molecule that will give us the ability to identify what is in that molecule,” he said.
“Quantum microscopes is an amazing technology where we can use an individual atom to detect what’s in its environment.”
The physicist and lead researcher said the technology would be able to be used across a wide range of scientific fields, from biology to medicine.
He said it would allow scientists to have a greater understanding of what they are working with.
“Imagine a doctor has a medical sample and they want to know what proteins are in it. They can put the sample into the device and be able to identify the different proteins and the relative concentrations of it,” Dr Doherty said.
“A biologist can use it for similar reasons or environment scientists can use it for a chemical analysis of a field sample.”
The technology used in the prototype device is based on the same technology used in atomic clocks, as well as gravitational wave detectors.
Doctor Who’s famous sonic screwdriver may be an invention of science fiction, but a team of scientists at the Australian National University could help to make it a reality.
Physicists Marcus Doherty and Michael Barson have created a prototype for a handheld device that will be able to analyse an object’s chemical properties, similar to the device used on the TV show.
ANU physicists Marcus Doherty (left) and Michael Barson have come up with a design for a device that can analyse an object’s chemical properties. Photo: ANU
Dr Doherty, who had been working with quantum microscopes for the past 10 years, said the idea for the device came about after realising it would be possible to combine the technology with diamond nanobeads.
“It’s very close to the idea of an MRI image of a single molecule that will give us the ability to identify what is in that molecule,” he said.
“Quantum microscopes is an amazing technology where we can use an individual atom to detect what’s in its environment.”
The physicist and lead researcher said the technology would be able to be used across a wide range of scientific fields, from biology to medicine.
He said it would allow scientists to have a greater understanding of what they are working with.
“Imagine a doctor has a medical sample and they want to know what proteins are in it. They can put the sample into the device and be able to identify the different proteins and the relative concentrations of it,” Dr Doherty said.
“A biologist can use it for similar reasons or environment scientists can use it for a chemical analysis of a field sample.”
The technology used in the prototype device is based on the same technology used in atomic clocks, as well as gravitational wave defectors.
Co-researcher Mr Barson said the handheld device would use tiny defects in a diamond to measure the chemical make-up of a molecule.
“When a molecule attaches to the diamond device, its mass changes, which changes the frequency,” he said.
“We measure the change in frequency using the defects in the diamond.”
While Dr Doherty said the pair’s research has been a “small leap forward”, it will be several years until the device will become a workable reality.
However, he said once that happened, it would make scientific work a lot easier.
“It will be portable and it will also be much cheaper and robust,” he said.
“The point of that will be it will make the technology more distributable and more people will have access to the analysis and advanced science.”
Peter Capaldi said he will stand down as Doctor Who in December. Credit: PA
As Peter Capaldi prepares to step aside at the end of 2017, we play the regeneration game and look at who could be the new Doctor?
Ben Whishaw
Whishaw is the bookies’ favourite at 6/1 with credits including tech wizard Q in Bond blockbusters Spectre and Skyfall.
He has previously been mentioned as a leading contender for the role of the Doctor.
In 2013 he won the best leading actor TV Bafta for his performance as Richard II in the first of the BBC’s epic production of Shakespeare’s history plays, and he was nominated again in 2016 for his performance in London Spy.
Should Bedfordshire-born Whishaw, 36, be interested in taking up the Time Lord mantle he may have the chance to get some tips from Capaldi as they reprise their roles in Paddington 2 later this year.
Richard Ayoade
The IT Crowd star won a Bafta for his portrayal of lovable geek Maurice Moss in the hit Channel 4 sitcom.
He also also earned plaudits in the director’s chair for 2010 rom-com Submarine and more recently voiced The Snowman in the BBC’s reboot of the cartoon classic Danger Mouse.
While studying law at Cambridge he was president of the university’s famed theatrical group, the Footlights, whose former presidents included Hugh Laurie, Sue Perkins and Eric Idle.
The 39-year-old is hot on Whishaw’s heels with the odds for him taking the keys to the TARDIS put at 8/1.
Rory Kinnear
Once tipped to take over from Matt Smith as the Doctor, the son of character actor Roy Kinnear is again among the favourites with the bookmakers.
The 38-year-old, who has appeared in several Bond films, said in 2013 that he had never watched Doctor Who and had no idea what it was all about.
However, he would have had plenty of time to learn the difference between a Dalek and a Voord in the intervening years and William Hill placed him at at equal odds with Ayoade.
Rupert Grint
The ex-Harry Potter star was tipped as a possible replacement for Matt Smith in 2013.
David Harewood
The ex-Homeland star would be the first non-white lead in the hit drama.
“It would be very exciting if the phone rang. I doubt it somehow,” he has said.
Olivia Colman
The next Doctor doesn’t have to be a man, of course.
New Doctor Who boss Chris Chibnall has been working with Colman on his other show, Broadchurch.
MP Yvette Cooper is among her fans, once saying that seeing the award-winning actress playing the Doctor would be “ace”.
Billie Piper
Could the actress, who previously played companion Rose Tyler, return as the Time Lord?
Hayley Atwell
The Agent Carter and Captain America actress has previously said she would love the role.
Asked by a fan whether she would like to appear in the BBC sci-fi series, she tweeted in 2015: “I’d like to be Doctor Who”.
Stefan Ulrich, a modder from Germany is back with his most ambitious custom build yet. Look on his work, ye mighty, and despair, because this damn Dalek is excellent. If you’re unfamiliar, Daleks are a hyper aggressive alien species and some of the longest running antagonists on the classic British sci-fi series, Doctor Who. It’s not just a physical replica of a Dalek either. Ulrich made sure this build could work as a stand-in on the show, if necessary.
The Dalek nozzle contains a motion sensor, and if it’s activated it’ll spit out one of a few classic lines. Coupled with a few motors that rotate the head and lift and lower the nozzle, the mod is as capable as any cheap British sci-fi prop. LEDs complete the illusion, illuminating the weapon and body in waves of intense blue light, and if you open the sucker up and you won’t just find a PC, but also a replica of the tiny, tentacled Dalek alien. Disgusting! I mean that in a good way, of course.
For more pictures and information from the process, check out Ulrich’s official build log.
Dalek components:
The specs aren’t listed out in the build log anywhere, so I’ve squinted at a few photos to see what I can make out. I’ve also poked Ulrich for more details, but in the meantime, here’s what it contains. Not bad.
CPU: Intel Core i7
GPU: GeForce GTX 1070 (x2)
Mobo: Asus ROG Maximus VIII Formula
Attitude: Terrible
Doctor Who superfan transforms his shed into this amazing life-sized TARDIS
Paul Foden inside his life-size Tardis (Photo: SWNS/Stoke sentinel)
A Doctor Who superfan has spent thousands of pounds transforming his garden shed into a life-sized TARDIS.
Paul Foden, 44, is obsessed with the Time Lord and has previous made models of a Dalek and the robotic dog K9.
But his latest project is the biggest of all after he decided to re-create the hit sci-fi show’s famous blue time machine .
Handyman Paul spent almost 12 months working on the 12ft tall TARDIS which now has pride of place in his back garden.
He said: “I’ve been working on it for nearly a year and I’m just adding the last few details.
Inside Paul’s Tardis (Photo: SWNS/Stoke sentinel)
“I watch Doctor Who and I thought the TARDIS would be interesting to build so I decided to have a go.
“It’s about passing time more than anything else.
“I’m proud because when I first started it I didn’t think it would turn out this well.
“I kept doing bits and bobs and it just came together. I have watched it for a long time now from the old series to the new series.
“Previously I have built a Cyberman and a Dalek but this is the biggest thing I’ve built so far.”
Incredibly, Paul managed to build the TARDIS, which comes complete with sound effects, a full control panel and electric lighting, just by looking at photos online.
The outer structure is made from a hexagonal shed and the roof is fiberglass to keep it water-tight.
Paul, who lives in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs., added: “I had a look at a couple of pictures online and that was it, I went for it.
“I built all the components and the control panel. I only bought two accessories for it.
Paul only bought two pieces for his TARDIS, he built the rest from scratch (Photo: SWNS/Stoke sentinel)
“I have always managed to build different things but this has been the biggest project.”
Paul, who works for a property company, received praise from fellow Doctor Who fans after he uploaded a video of the interior of his TARDIS onto YouTube.
His teenage son Lee is also a big fan and neighbours have even been dropping in to take a look at the time machine.
Paul said: “It’s become a small tourist attraction.”
Lee, 18, added: “It’s quite amazing because it’s not the sort of thing you see every day.
“He’s brilliant at building things and spends all his spare time doing it.
“If you have a photo of the real control panel you can hardly tell the difference, the detail is bob-on.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lghn637v9ks
Doctor Who makeup brushes are officially in development
Doctor Who makeup brushes are officially in development by Storybook Cosmetics, the new company that brought Harry Potter wand makeup brushes to the masses. The announcement is for any Doctor Who fans who have always wanted to feel like a Time Lord and could picture them wielding the Doctor’s iconic Sonic Screwdriver.
In a new conceptual image posted to their official Instagram page, Storybook Cosmetics teased a new Doctor Who makeup brush shaped like the Sonic Screwdriver. The Sonic Screwdriver is a multi-use tool that the Doctor can use for just about anything, but it has never been used to apply makeup (until now, that is).
Yahoo! Sportsgushed about the Storybook Cosmetics Doctor Who makeup brush design, praising the company as a whole and the decision to model a makeup brush after the Sonic Screwdriver.
“It is only fitting that our magic and makeup merging faves, Storybook Cosmetics, would choose the Sonic Screwdriver as their next choice for a makeup brush handle. In [Doctor Who], which has spanned decades (both season wise and in episodes), the Sonic Screwdriver has a wide variety of uses and is the most important tool that the Doctor has. Kind of like how important our beauty tools are to us when we are not traveling to alien planets.”
The Doctor Who brush design is the most recent addition to a long list of potential makeup palette and brush ideas being pitched by Storybook Cosmetics. Prior to the post about the Doctor Who Sonic Screwdriver brush, Storybook Cosmetics posted about several other branding opportunities. Storybook has already posted about a potential collection of Star Wars makeup brushes shaped like lightsabers and a full range of makeup inspired by hit HBO drama Game of Thrones.
The conceptual Doctor Who makeup brush bears quite a bit in common with Storybook Cosmetics’ previous designs. The three sisters who run Storybook Cosmetics consistently create tool-based makeup brush ideas: the Game of Thrones palette has a brush with a sword handle, the Star Wars brush collection is made up of lightsabers, a brush shaped like a writing quill is in development, and a brush set shaped like a quiver of arrows is “coming 2017.”
Whether or not the sisters of Storybook Cosmetics gain the rights to Doctor Who or any of these properties remains to be seen. In the caption for the Doctor Who brush, they wrote that this would be the last release of their first round of product ideas. For now, all fans can do is wait and hope that Storybook receives the licensing rights to some of these products.
“Most of these products depend on licensing. (We are in talks, and will keep you posted!)”
Even if they do not receive the rights to Doctor Who, the sisters behind Storybook Cosmetics made it clear that they are willing to tweak designs or reinvent products in order to still attempt to capture the magic.
“Keep in mind, an important part of our business model is keeping you all informed. Sometimes things will change, sometimes they will be postponed, and sometimes they won’t happen at all. We hope you appreciate being able to follow along through the ups and downs!”
This could mean that the next time we see the Doctor Who makeup brush, it could be transformed into something more conceptually inspired by Doctor Who as opposed to looking exactly like a Sonic Screwdriver.
Would you buy a Doctor Who makeup brush?
Radiohead wanted to use a Dalek to create ‘A Moon Shaped Pool’ album artwork
Radiohead collaborator Stanley Donwood has revealed that he originally wanted to create the artwork for the band’s latest album ‘A Moon Shaped Pool’ with use of a Doctor Who Dalek.
‘A Moon Shaped Pool’ was released by the band in May 2016, with its artwork once again created by Donwood, who has worked with the group since 1994.
Speaking to Creative Review, Donwood explained: “It’s normally about two years to make a Radiohead record. The first things we were talking about were trying to get away from narrative and figurative art, to try and do something that was more to do with chance and happenstance.”
“I had this idea of a painting Dalek that instead of exterminating people would squirt paint…. But unfortunately our technical skills weren’t up to the job of constructing a Dalek.”
“So we started messing around with what we could do with the weather and paint, and what happens with large quantities of paint and wind,” he added. The artist started leaving canvases outdoors: “We almost removed human agency from the painting process,” he says, “it was like setting up an experiment and seeing what happened. Some of the canvases were rubbish, so we just painted over them with white and started again. But, by and large we ended up, through a process of editing, with a body of work we were really, really pleased with.”
On working with frontman Thom Yorke, Donwood said: “To sum up crudely, when we’re working together, I do something, then he fucks it up, then I fuck up what he’s done… and we keep doing that until we’re happy with the result. It’s a competition to see who ‘wins’ the painting, which one of us takes possession of it in an artistic way.”
Donwood also explained why the band decided to erase their social media accounts before announcing their new album: “That was another of those ideas that you have down the pub that turned out to be really much more effective than we thought. Honestly, we did not expect people to go quite so crazy. It worked really well; really it was a way of getting rid of all of what had gone before; it was a practical solution to what seemed to be a complicated problem. Quite a simple solution: just stop everything for a bit.”
“I thought the reaction was weird: ‘Radiohead erases itself from the internet.’ What a strange thing to say, ’cause you can’t. But the reaction was great, it was fantastic, it was really exciting. It was like being some sort of evil Bond villain or something, in some lair, pressing buttons. Actually more like the Mike Myers’ version of an evil Bond villain. It was creatively brilliant fun.”
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