Billie Piper's autobiography, GROWING PAINS (release October 2006) reveals that before DOCTOR WHO she fought an even tougher enemy than the Daleks.

She reveals that she was anorexic, using laxatives and eating "tissues" to lower her body fat. She reveals how former husband saved her from committing suicide. Follow the links below to read more.

THE INDEPENDENT newspaper

MSN news report

BBC BOOKS has updated the cover for Gary Russell's previously known DOCTOR WHO - THE INSIDE STORY with DOCTOR WHO COMPANION -THE OFFICIAL SERIES GUIDE (to SERIES 1 AND 2).

Question: if the book covers series 1 and 2, why is Eccleston not featured on the cover? Did he upset the BBC with his departure and they haven't forgiven him?

Releasing on 26 October 2006, DOCTOR WHO respected guru, Gary Russell's DOCTOR WHO THE INSIDE STORY will be this years "must have" (along with SERIES 2 - THE SHOOTING SCRIPTS). RRP £14.99.

224 pages detailing the regeneration of the series & brand since the 2003 announcement by BBC ONE.

DOCTOR WHO viewers might believe they've seen every photograph, read every interview, know every fact about the latest incarnation of BBC TVs science fantasy series DOCTOR WHO, but this book will set out to show them just how much they've missed.

With pre-production drawings and paintings, countless behind-the-scenes candid shots, comments and opinions from everyone involved in the making of this exciting, award-winning programme, THE INSIDE STORY is exactly that an insiders scoop on the how, why, who and where of all things DOCTOR WHO.

Even Billie Piper is looking forward to the DOCTOR WHO feature film planned. And, yes, it is planned (synopsis submitted to BBC FILMS by Russell T Davies).

The DAILY STAR has interviewed Billie Piper and she looks forward to reprising her role as Rose Tyler in the feature film.

The report

BBC NEWS online carries comments from Show Runner, Russell T Davies regarding the lack of alien planets visited by the TARDIS in DOCTOR WHO.

He blames lack of finances, and that the fact other shows have cornered the market in a vision on alien worlds. He cites low viewing figures for three SERIES 2 episodes that did not use the Earth as its background, drawing the conclusion that viewers were turned off by the content.

BBC NEWS

Can the audited figures confirm his statement?

Certainly, THE IMPOSSIBLE PLANET and THE SATAN PIT (set off-Earth) received the lowest ratings in SERIES 2 but the TV audience share for the episodes were consistent (38.9% and 35.6%) with other episode set on-Earth. The cybermen second episode, set on Earth, THE AGE OF STEEL did have a greater viewing figure (7.63 million) but a lower TV audience share (35.5%). Scheduling time changes and an record-breaking UK heatwave did cause all TV viewing figures to fall. The other SERIES 2 episode set on an alien planet was NEW EARTH with a 8.62 million viewers and 38.6% T audience share.

Viewers turned off by space travel? Seems not.

From SERIES 1, the London-centric story, ALIENS OF LONDON did have 7.63 million viewers but garnered a lower share (33.9%) of the available TV audience than those SERIES 2 alien setting episodes.

For Davies to blame a lack of creative appetite from his audience is lame, and as for claiming the series is poor is breathtaking. A BBC 1 flagship drama series, a commercially strong product & brand, and a co-production with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. And Davies pleads poverty.

If nothing else it give the series column inches.

There's six inches, Russell; enough for you?

Following a Cyberman-styled SERIES 2 BOXSET special edition release (November 2006), AMAZON.CO.UK are releasing three additional boxsets.

• DOCTOR WHO Original Series : The Cybermen - Limited Edition Box Set (6 November 2006 Offer price: £29.99) includes THE TOMB OF THE CYBERMEN, THE INVASION and EARTHSHOCK
• DOCTOR WHO : Jon Pertwee - Limited Edition 7 Disc Box Set (6 November 2006 Offer price: £37.49) includes SPEARHEAD FROM SPACE, INFERNO, THE CLAWS OF AXOS, THE THREE DOCTORS, CARNIVAL OF MONSTERS and THE GREEN DEATH
• DOCTOR WHO Original Series : The Daleks - Limited Edition Tin Box Set (27 January 2006 Offer price: £59.99) - no full details
  

If, like eyeofhorus.org.uk, you have had the DOCTOR WHO - BATTLES IN TIME partwork series website added to your Favourites for several months, checking the site every week for updates, then the waiting is nearly over.

As eyeofhorus.org.uk exclusively announced on 7 June, the quality fortnightly magazine and collectors card collection, featuring the two NEW SERIES characters and themes, is launching nationwide on 20 September 2006.

Previously, the partwork has been a success in Scotland and South West (with a DOCTOR WHO buzz threading its way on eBay, where the publication and cards have been trading at extortionate prices).

Each issue builds up to a collection of 275 graphically stunning cards (high quality print) which you can keep or swap with other fans (young and more mature). An interactive website supports collectors in managing their collection.

Everything you want to know about the Cards:

• 275 unique designs to collect based on the 2005 and 2006 TV adventures
• 9 cards in every pack – 8 common and 1 rare, plus some packs have an extra super-rare or ultra-rare 10th card
• Includes seven character decks: Hero, Human, Alien, Robot, Monster, Dalek, Cyberman, plus Bonus Cards to change game play
• Psychic Paper decoder comes with issue one – reveals hidden power-ups on some bonus cards
• Pack odds: 231 common cards (8 in every pack), 28 rare shiny cards (1 in every pack), 10 super-rare holographic, scratch ‘n’ sniff, bumpy or glow-in-the dark cards (1 in every 6 packs) and 6 ultra-rare lenticular (moving image) cards (1 in every 24 packs)
• The rarest card of all – the Golden Ticket – is only found in 1 in every 1000 packs
• Cards available separately at £1.50 from local newsagents, Woolworths, WH Smith, Asda, McColls, Borders, Toys ‘R’Us, Forbidden Planet and all hobby stores

Everything you want to know about the Magazine:

• Companion guide to the card collection, packed full of games to play with the cards, plus hints, tips and tactics
• See how different monsters and aliens fare against each other in the card face-offs
• Fold-out guides to a different monster each issue, with the lowdown on its related cards
• Episode guide each issue, and a chance to relive the story with your trading cards
• Plus behind the scenes, stunning Dalek Wars artwork and much more
• Issue 1 is available at the special price of £1.50 and comes with a bonus pack of cards FREE
• Buy issues 2 and 3 to get your own FREE TARDIS Collector’s Case

Everything you want to know about the Interactive Website:

• Visit the official site at www.battlesintime.com for more information and more game rules
• Monitor your own card collection – or your mate’s – in the “My Card Collection” section
• Scan the card database for details of all the cards
• Subscribe online to claim your FREE gifts, available ONLY to subscribers: special padlock to secure your TARDIS, SFX roof with flashing light and sound effects, electronic Dalek game randomiser, magazine slipcase and card album, plus 4 FREE packs of cards

With a plethora of DOCTOR WHO merchandise (including several magazines), eyeofhorus.org.uk highly recommends DOCTOR WHO - BATTLES IN TIME.

After a change of personnel at BIG FINISH the future looks more creative at the audioplay producers. And it certainly needed a change.

According to Sources, 2007 will bring a new set of Paul McGann (Eighth Doctor) CD stories broadcast on BBC7 (the digital channel) and then released on CD. India Fisher's superb and engaging, Charlie Pollard is replaced by Sheridan Smith as Lucie Miller.

The stories include:

• BLOOD OF THE DALEKS
• HORROR OF GLAM ROCK
• IMMORTAL BELOVED
• PHOBOS
• NO MORE LIES
• HUMAN RESOURCES
  

David Tennant's WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? episode will be broadcast on Wednesday 27 September 2006 at 21:00 on BBC1 (repeated 3 October on BBC2).

The complete series is previewed in this week's RADIO TIMES.

The RADIO TIMES is previewing WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? with David Tennant.

Toy & Board game manufacturer, HASBRO is developing the DOCTOR WHO version of the world famous Monopoly family game.

After the disappointing (and over priced) Electronic Board game DOCTOR WHO from Toy Brokers, a quality (and limited edition) item would be welcome addition to the NEW SERIES product range.

Imagine being a Slitheen character buying up planets and galaxies as you travel around the board, only to find yourself picking-up a card that lands you in a Moon Penal Colony.

The contents of AMAZON.CO.UK's special edition SERIES DVD BOXSET has been revealed.

The six-disc set is released on 20.11.2006, and can be pre-ordered - see AMAZON link at the bottom of this page. For more details and extra photos, click below.

DOCTOR WHO 2006 Christmas Day special feature, THE RUNAWAY BRIDE's guest star, Sarah Parish reveals that she plays a half-human half-spider character (known as 'The Empress of Rachnos', and not the Rani as another UK fan website has claimed) who leads an attempt to conquer the Earth.

eyeofhorus.org.uk has seen the BBC WALES 4-minute trailer DVD for Russell T Davies' TORCHWOOD (BBCtv 3 series).

Very dark, very atmospheric and witty (not funny haha).

Unfortunately, eyeofhorus.org.uk will be TORCHWOOD free. I am sure the elite DOCTOR WHO site, KASTERBOROUS will be covering the series. We're staying an elite and independent DOCTOR WHO resource.

Thanks to the person who zipped the trailer for us.

BBC WALES has completed a week long filming session in and around London's THE GLOBE theatre for SERIES 3's episode 2. This follows location filming in Coventry.

Set in 1599, the Doctor and Martha Jones meet Tudor playwright (and actor), William Shakespeare (Dean Lennox Kelly) and thwart an alien invasion.

SERIES 3 casting continues with the extended family of new DOCTOR WHO companion, Martha Jones being announced.

• Dad (Clive) - Trevor Laird
• Mum (Francine) - Adjoa Andoh
• Sister (Trish) - Gugu Mbatha-Raw
• Brother (Leo) - Reggie Yates