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Blue Peter celebrates Doctor Who’s 60th by revealing winners of Doctor Who Competition

Blue Peter celebrates Doctor Who’s 60th by revealing winners of Doctor Who Competition

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Young superfan wins unique money-can’t-buy behind the scenes Doctor Who experience and ultra-rare Doctor Who 60th Blue Peter competition badge.

The competition, which launched on Blue Peter in April, asked viewers aged between 5 and 15 to design a poster to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who and say why they would like to go behind the scenes to see how the series is made.  

Doctor Who superfan Verity, age 8, from Cardiff,  was revealed as the winner in Friday’s episode of Blue Peter (available on BBC iPlayer) and will go on an exclusive VIP tour of the top-secret Doctor Who set with Blue Peter presenters Joel Mahwinney and Abby Cook. 

Thousands entered and the competition finalists were judged by Executive Producer Joel Collins and by Showrunner Russell T Davies who thanked “everyone who submitted an entry because they were brilliant!”

Top runners up include Tyler, age 10, from Manchester who designed a poster featuring the number 60 and the Doctors, and Anna, age 13, from Derby, who created a three dimensional poster featuring David Tennant.

Winner and top runners up for Blue Peter Doctor Who Competition with Blue Peter presenter Abby Cook.

In the Blue Peter studio, on Friday 24 November the top three received a framed copy of their design and a rare, collectable Doctor Who 60th Blue Peter competition winner’s badge. The top 500 runners up also received a special limited edition Doctor Who 60th Birthday badge.

Verity, wanted to visit the Doctor Who set because she ‘loves everything about Doctor Who’. She drew an intricate detailed TARDIS. Verity has been watching Doctor Who since she was little and is a huge fan. She explained:

“When I found out I’d won the competition I was absolutely speechless. It was definitely the happiest moment of my life. I’m excited about everything but the thing I’m really excited about is being part of Doctor Who’s 60th birthday on Blue Peter.”

Joel Collins, Executive Producer of Doctor Who,  commented that Verity’s design would make a brilliant t-shirt and Showrunner, Russell T Davies, added:

“The intricate TARDIS is so clever, I love it. All the lines of dialogue, it’s quite amazing, the circles around the edge are Gallifreyan. There’s just so much detail.” He added that he couldn’t wait to meet Verity and for her to see the TARDIS and meet the team.

Take a look at the top 30 entries from The Blue Peter Doctor Who Competition.

The winner’s experience will be shown in a special ‘Blue Peter Doctor Who Takeover’ on CBBC and iPlayer on the 15th of December 2023.  Verity has ‘access all areas’ exploring the TARDIS, trying on costumes, meeting production design teams and talking to cast members Ncuti and Millie and Showrunner Russell T Davies.

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 Productions.

Pandora 2023 – Photo Report

Pandora 2023 – Photo Report

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Over the weekend of November 10-12th 2023 Gallifreyan Newsroom had the pleasure of attending the wonderful Pandorica convention, which was held at the Future Inn, Bristol, UK. The convention was once again organised by the wonderful folk at Fantom Events and it was an opportunity of meeting stars of the series both classic and modern in a very relaxed atmosphere.  We hope you will enjoy our photos below which will give you a flavour of a memorable weekend.

PHOTO GALLERY

The Daleks to land once again on Doctor Who 60th Anniversary

The Daleks to land once again on Doctor Who 60th Anniversary

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Clayton Hickman on X: "#DWAdvent2022 Day 15: #DoctorWho and the Dead Planet of the Dalek Mutants Beyond the Sun (Restoration/expansion of genuine colour photo taken by Ray Cusick) Tips via ko-fi: https://t.co/yP0OlsWrRI

Classic Doctor Who story to be released in spectacular colourisation

It’s been my absolute pleasure to spend this past 12 months working with such a talented team to breathe new life into this classic adventure – a story that is literally the foundation stone of all that Doctor Who has become. The original is a masterpiece of 1960’s television drama and this new version stands on the shoulders of the pioneering spirit of 1960’s Doctor Who.

— Phil Collinson, Executive Producer
It’s time to encounter the Daleks once again, but this time in a way you’ve never seen them before. As part of the 60th anniversary celebrations of iconic series Doctor Who, one of the show’s most renowned tales is undergoing an out of this world update as it receives an artistic colourisation.Originally transmitted in December 1963 to February 1964, The Daleks were introduced to audiences and soon became one of the Doctor’s most formidable and enduring foes. The story follows the very first crew of the TARDIS as they land in a petrified forest on an alien planet. Determined to explore, the Doctor (William Hartnell) leads his companions into the metal city, where they discover danger at every corner and what will become his deadliest enemy, the mutant Daleks.These seven original 25 minute episodes have now received a cosmic makeover, having been dazzlingly colourised and weaved together into a 75 minute blockbuster to appeal to today’s modern audiences. With brand new sound, a brand new score – created by Mark Ayres – The Daleks has been gloriously updated, whilst ensuring the original classic story remains as thrilling as it was when it began in 1963. And, whilst viewers can enjoy watching the colourised version of The Daleks when it arrives on 23rd November on BBC Four, it will also sit within The Whoniverse where viewers can also watch the seven part story in its original form.

This special episode is one of the many highlights set to commemorate Doctor Who’s outstanding 60 year anniversary,– shortly before David Tennant takes back the reigns of the TARDIS for three highly anticipated specials.

Doctor Who Bargain Hunt special comes to BBC One

Doctor Who Bargain Hunt special comes to BBC One

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Eric Knowles with a Dalek and the Tardis
Eric Knowles with a Dalek and the Tardis

The BBC is to mark the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who with a Bargain Hunt special.

In this popular daytime show, two teams of novice collectors go head-to-head to snag the top deals, and in a series of three special episodes there are some unique ‘hunters’.

In the Doctor Who-themed episode, Eric Knowles dons his scarf and wields a sonic screwdriver to host an exceptional instalment celebrating the 60th anniversary of the UK’s most cherished action-adventure series.

Eric Knowles and Doctor Who memorabilia collector, Chris Balcombe, with a Dalek.

After a close encounter with a Dalek and a quick getaway into a TARDIS, he finds himself at a Carmarthen antiques fair, meeting two teams of fervent fans, each with ambitions to outdo the other. Assisting them for the day are experts Richard Madley and Kate Bliss, both adorned in attire reminiscent of iconic Doctors.

Which team will triumph in the galactic quest for the most substantial auction profit?

Eric also converses with an avid fan who possesses an impressive and valuable assortment of original Doctor Who memorabilia, some harking back to the show’s inception – this includes extraterrestrial costumes, Cybermen helmets, and, unmistakably, a formidable Dalek.

The Bargain Hunt Doctor Who special will air on BBC One and iPlayer on Thursday, 23 November at 12:15PM.

Eric said:

“Having watched the first episode as a 10-year-old in 1963, it’s great to be celebrating Doctor Who’s anniversary on Bargain Hunt and sharing the love of this beloved programme with two teams of super fans. Over its long life, treasures of all kinds based on the series can be found, making it the perfect theme for a special episode”.

An End Which Spells A New Beginning…

An End Which Spells A New Beginning…

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David Tennant back as The Doctor!

We wanted to give fans, friends and families a lovely little Christmas present – with a promise that 2023 will be a riot of Doctor Who goodness!

— Russell T Davies, showrunner

As a special Christmas treat, Doctor Who landed a sixty second action packed trailer today giving viewers a glimpse of what’s to come as the show prepares to enter its 60th year.

With David Tennant back as the Doctor, the three specials will air in November 2023 before Ncuti Gatwa takes control of the TARDIS over the festive season.

It has now been revealed that alongside previously announced Catherine Tate, Yasmin Finney and Neil Patrick Harris, Jacqueline King will be reprising her role as Donna’s mother Sylvia, and Karl Collins as Donna’s long suffering husband, Shaun.

The show also welcomes Ruth Madeley who will be appearing as Shirley Anne Bingham.

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Donna Noble (Catherine Tate)
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Sylvia (Jacqueline King), Shaun (Karl Collins) and Rose (Yasmin Finney)
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Shirley Ann Bingham (Ruth Madeley)

With glimpses of monsters and the return of UNIT, the three specials are set to be explosive as Doctor Who returns in November 2023.

Russell T Davies, showrunner says: “We wanted to give fans, friends and families a lovely little Christmas present – with a promise that 2023 will be a riot of Doctor Who goodness!

Doctor Who will return to screens for three specials in November 2023 to coincide with the 60th anniversary with David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor.

Ncuti Gatwa takes over the role as the Fifteenth Doctor over the festive season 2023 alongside Millie Gibson who has recently been announced as Ruby Sunday.

Neil Patrick Harris joins Doctor Who

Neil Patrick Harris joins Doctor Who

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Emmy and Tony-winning actor and comedian Neil Patrick Harris joins the cast of Doctor Who

Neil Patrick Harris, American star of stage and screen, has joined the cast of Doctor Who and is currently filming scenes set to air in 2023 as part of the show’s 60th anniversary.

Neil Patrick Harris

Russell T Davies, Showrunner said “It’s my huge honour to open our studio doors for the mighty Neil Patrick Harris… but who, why, what is he playing? You’ll just have to wait. But I promise you, the stuff we’re shooting now is off the scale. Doctor beware!”

Russell T Davies to return as Doctor Who showrunner

Russell T Davies to return as Doctor Who showrunner

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Multi award-winning Russell T Davies will take control of the TARDIS once more as the next Doctor Who showrunner, succeeding Chris Chibnall, who departs next year.

Russell T Davies to return as Doctor Who showrunner for ...

Russell T Davies will make an explosive return to screens to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Doctor Who in 2023, and series beyond. BBC Studios is partnering with Bad Wolf to produce.

Responsible for Doctor Who’s revival in 2005, Davies is credited with propelling the show into a global phenomenon and making it one of TV’s biggest hits.

His tenure on the show oversaw a surge in popularity, enjoying huge acclaim and success. The Doctor won the nation’s hearts through his masterful relaunch, which led him to create two spin-off series, Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures, during that time.

Davies left the show in 2009. A lifelong Doctor Who fan, he has most recently achieved huge success with Years And Years, A Very English Scandal and It’s A Sin, which won Best New Drama at the National TV Awards this month.

Russell T Davies says:

“I’m beyond excited to be back on my favourite show. But we’re time-travelling too fast, there’s a whole series of Jodie Whittaker’s brilliant Doctor for me to enjoy, with my friend and hero Chris Chibnall at the helm – I’m still a viewer for now.”

Chris Chibnall says:

“It’s monumentally exciting and fitting that Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary will see one of Britain’s screenwriting diamonds return home. Russell built the baton that is about to be handed back to him. Doctor Who, the BBC, the screen industry in Wales – and let’s be honest everyone in the whole world – have so many reasons to be Very Excited Indeed about what lies ahead.”

Piers Wenger, BBC Director of Drama, says:

“As the 13th Doctor prepares to embark on new and extraordinary adventures, the winds of change are blowing… bringing with them news to delight Doctor Who fans across the globe. We are thrilled that Russell is returning to Doctor Who to build on the huge achievements of Chris and Jodie. Thank you to the two of them and the team in Cardiff for all they continue to do for the show and hello Russell, it’s wonderful to have you back.”

The next Doctor will be announced in due course.

Analysis by BBC Entertainment correspondent Lizo Mzimba

It’s nearly 18 years to the day since the BBC announced that Doctor Who was returning, more than a decade after it was axed. No Doctor or companion had yet been cast, but it was confirmed that Russell T Davies would be in charge of the show. At the time, the lifelong Doctor Who fan was best known as the writer of Queer As Folk (he even managed to briefly squeeze robot dog K9 into the series).

Few predicted how huge it would become upon its return, and Davies is the man credited with much of that success. As showrunner he oversaw every creative aspect of the science fiction drama, wrote many of its scripts, and was an exceptionally hands-on executive producer – the book The Writer’s Tale, a diary of daily emails and text messages between Davies and journalist Benjamin Cook. details the attention to detail he gave to almost every part of the show, from approving merchandise designs to overseeing the plans for media events.

His unexpected return to the show has delighted many, because if there is a recent golden era of Doctor Who, it’s arguably when Davies was in charge, with the programme attracting huge viewing figures and racking up awards and critical acclaim.

With the exception of the Doctor Who TV movie with Paul McGann, Doctor Who has always been produced purely by the BBC. But from 2023 it will be a co-production with Bad Wolf. The production house was founded by Jane Tranter and Julie Gardner who worked alongside Davies during his time on Doctor Who. Tranter was the BBC’s head of drama, Gardner was an executive producer on the show. Both are seen as less high profile, but still crucially important parts of Doctor Who’s previous success.

Piers Wenger, the BBC’s director of drama, said the news of Davies’ return would “delight Doctor Who fans across the globe”.

“We are thrilled that Russell is returning to Doctor Who to build on the huge achievements of Chris and Jodie,” he continued. “Russell, it’s wonderful to have you back.”

‘What a coup’

Davies’ return was also welcomed by Bad Wolf, the production company founded in 2015 by former BBC executives Julie Gardner and Jane Tranter.

Gardner and Tranter both worked with Davies on the Doctor Who relaunch and will collaborate with him again when he returns as showrunner.

“We are delighted to be joining Russell T Davies on a looped ontological paradox,” said the Bad Wolf Twitter account. “Where Russell goes, we are proud to follow.

“With BBC Studios, Bad Wolf will be producing the all-new series of Doctor Who. It is a privilege to be asked to support him in Doctor Who’s future.”

Actor Matt Lucas, who played companion Nardole during Capaldi’s time as the Doctor, was evidently delighted with the news.

“Russell T Davies back in the Tardis! What a coup! I’m buzzing!” wrote the Bake Off presenter and Little Britain comic on Twitter.