Well, it charmed the "masses", if not the "critics".

13.8 million UK viewers (overnight estimated figures) watched VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED.

The highest ever rated DOCTOR WHO episode since the series was first aired in 1963.

THE TIMES review of VOYAGE by Tim Teeman. Don't think it is "gay-bashing" Russell T Davies; Teeman is "gay" and former writer for GAY TIMES.

As you settle down over the Holidays, here's a reminder of a few tasty morsels to enjoy:

UK TELEVISION

• TOP GEAR with David Tennant - BBC 2 - 23.12.2007 - 20:00
• VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED - BBC ONE - 25.12.07 - 18:50
• DOCTOR WHO CONFIDENTIAL - BBC 3 - 25.12.07 - 20:00
• THE CATHERINE TATE SHOW - BBC ONE - 24.12.2007 - 22:30
• EXTRAS with David Tennant - - BBC ONE - 27.12.07 - 21:00
• THE INFINITE QUEST (Compilation - Cartoon) - BBC 2 - 29.12.07 - 09:00
• THE SHADOW IN THE NORTH with Billie Piper - BBC ONE - 30.12.07 - 20:55
• VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED (repeat - with extended SERIES 4 trailer) - BBC ONE - 01.01.2008 - 14:15
• VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED (repeat - with extended SERIES 4 trailer) - BBC 3 - 01.01.2008 - 19:00

DIGITAL RADIO

• THE SCARIFYERS with Nicholas Courtney and Terry Molloy - BBC 7 DIGITAL RADIO - THE NAZAD CONSPIRACY - 24-26.12.2007 - 18:00
• RE-X-AMNING KYLIE - BBC RADIO 2 and online - Updated version of previously broadcast programme with Tennant and Minogue discussing VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED - 26.12.07 - 18:00
• THE SCARIFYERS with Nicholas Courtney and Terry Molloy - BBC 7 DIGITAL RADIO - THE DEVIL OF DENGE MARSH - 27-28 & 31.12.07 - 18:00

Cooler than a log fire in an igloo.

DOCTOR WHO EXHIBITIONS has announced that a new London-based exhibition will open (permanent or temporary?) at the Museum Hall, Earl's Court.

With a £5.00 Adult and £3.00 Child admission ticket, it could be a bit of money spinner attracting a potential 250,000 visitors a year. Double that if the entrance was free - but think of the branded merchandise sales!

eyeofhorus.org.uk "bed & breakfast" is on the way!

It's that man again! David Tennant. On the telly again.

He appears in BBC ONE's EXTRAS opposite with Ricky Gervais on 27 December at 21:00. Gervais plays a slug-creature in an episode of DOCTOR WHO.

The underrated DOCTOR WHO actress, Freema Agyeman is to appear on BBC RADIO 1 on New Year's Day (Tuesday) as part of NEW FOR 2008 discussing forthcoming highlights - new music, movies, TV (including TORCHWOOD), fashion and technology.

She's joined by Calvin Harris and Klaxons.

The (pre-recorded) programme is broadcast between 19:00 and midnight.

Thanks to Simon at BBC RADIO 1 for the heads up.

Following in the footsteps of Christopher Eccleston and Colin Baker (and lap winning Cyberman), David Tennant is "A Star in a reasonably priced car" on TOP GEAR.

The show is broadcast on Sunday, 23 December 2007 at 20:00.

Promotional photos (released 18.12.2007) © BBC PICTURES

Last night at London's SCIENCE MUSEUM, DOCTOR WHO VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED was premiered.

However, all the chat was about the spat between Tate and Tennant.

BBC NEWS BREAKFAST covered the launch party with Tennant confirming that he had been "stitched up". Also attending the party was SERIES 4 (recurring) guest-star, Bernard Cribbins and the consummate creative (and OSCAR© winner), Nick Park (DOCTOR WHO and ARDMAN ANIMATIONS working together on a "sideways" episode would be fascinating) who described DOCTOR WHO as the best TV he's seen in the the last few years.

Updated news - read the BBC NEWS report.

The OFFICIAL cover for the CLASSIC SERIES DVD boxset, DOCTOR WHO - BENEATH THE SURFACE delivering three stories DOCTOR WHO AND THE SILURIANS, THE SEA DEVILS and WARRIORS OF THE DEEP.

Releasing on 14 January 2008 RRP £29.99 - Four disc boxset.

DVD EXTRAS have been finalised and released.

DOCTOR WHO AND THE SILURIANS - Disc 1 (episodes 1 - 4)

• Commentary with director Timothy Combe, producer Barry Letts, script editor Terrance Dicks, actors Caroline John, Peter Miles, Geoffrey Palmer and Nicholas Courtney.
• What Lies Beneath - a documentary showing how the socio-political climate of the 1960s and the hopes & fears of the British population helped to shape this story. Featuring director Timothy Combe, producer Barry Letts, script editor Terrance Dicks, actors Caroline John, Nicholas Courtney and Peter Miles, new series writer Paul Cornell and former MP Roy Hattersley.
• Isolated Music - isolated synchronous music from the story.

DVD EXTRA: DOCTOR WHO AND THE SILURIANS - Disc 2 (episodes 5 - 7)

• Commentary Timothy Combe, producer Barry Letts, script editor Terrance Dicks, actors Caroline John, Peter Miles, Geoffrey Palmer and Nicholas Courtney.
• Going Underground - the story's producer, director and designer discuss the problems of shooting underground caves and cave-dwelling monsters. in the confines of a television studio! Featuring Barry Letts, Timothy Combe and Barry Newbery, with more than a little help from script editor Terrance Dicks and actors Caroline John, Nicholas Courtney and Peter Miles.
• Now and Then - comparing and contrasting the locations used in the story during production with how they appear today.
• Musical Scales - musical experimentation in the late sixties and early seventies, with special emphasis on the musical scores for DOCTOR WHO AND THE SILURIANS and THE SEA DEVILS. With producer Barry Letts, composer Mark Ayres and directors Timothy Combe, Christopher Barry and Michael Briant, with an archive appearance from Radiophonic composer Malcolm Clarke.
• Colour Silurian Overlay - explaining how the story was restored to its present glory using a combination of black and white film prints, off-air American Betamax video recordings and modern video processing technology.
• Photo Gallery + Isolated Music + Coming Soon - trail for a forthcoming release + PDF Material - Radio Times billings for the story's original transmission.

DVD EXTRA: THE SEA DEVILS

• Commentary director Michael Briant, producer Barry Letts and script editor Terrance Dicks.
• Hello Sailor - the trials and tribulations faced during the making of this classic Doctor Who adventure. Featuring producer Barry Letts, script editor Terrance Dicks, director Michael Briant, actors Katy Manning and Donald Sumpter and stuntman Stuart Fell, along with Royal Navy personnel who appeared as extras during location filming. Narrated by David Cann.
• 8mm Film - an amateur cine film shot during location filming at the Royal Naval base by one of the personnel. With a commentary from director Michael Briant, producer Barry Letts and script editor Terrance Dicks.
• Trails and Continuity - BBC1 trails and continuity recreated from off-air audio recordings made during the story's original transmission in 1972.
• Photo Gallery + Isolated Music + Coming Soon - trail for a forthcoming release + PDF Material - Radio Times billings for the story's original transmission, plus the Piccolo book 'The Making of Doctor Who'.

DVD EXTRA: WARRIORS OF THE DEEP

• Commentary actors Peter Davison and Janet Fielding, script editor Eric Saward and visual effects designer Mat Irvine.
• The Depths - production and cast members recall with some amusement their experiences of working on the story, in the face of a foreshortened shooting schedule, camera-hogging guest stars and a giant green amphibious pantomime horse... contributions from director Pennant Roberts, writer Johnny Byrne, actors Peter Davison, Janet Fielding, Ian McCulloch, James Coombes and John Asquith, visual effects designer Mat Irvine, continuity advisor Ian Levine and documentary producer Ed Stradling. Narrated by David Harley.
• They Came from Beneath the Sea - focusing on the realisation of the story's non-human cast - the Silurians, the Sea Devils and the dreaded Myrka. Featuring Pennant Roberts, Peter Davison, Johnny Byrne, Mat Irvine, with actors William Perrie and John Asquith (Myrka).
• Science in Action - BBC Schools presenter Kjartan Poskitt talks to visual effects designer Mat Irvine about some of the techniques and plastic materials he uses in his job in this programme extract from 1987.
• Trails and Continuities - BBC1 trails continuity announcements from the story's original transmission.
• Photo Gallery + Isolated Music + Coming Soon - trail for a forthcoming release + PDF Material - Radio Times billings for the story's original transmission.

A 50% drop in the CHARACTER OPTIONS Share price to 68.5p each has been followed by a Company warning that profits could dip by 18% (for final four months of 2007).

CHARACTER OPTIONS are the makers of the highly detailed (though the current versions of NEW SERIES' Master action figures are very poor) action figures and toys.

Presently, the toy market is very depressed with UK retailers reducing RRP by up to 50% (including Debenhams, Tesco and John Lewis).

Slow sales could be down to "a flood" of new, poorly researched product (nobody wants a Dalek Sec head with six penis dangling from the phallic head..!), too many variations on theme (how Dalek colour schemes can you produce to rip-off fans with, or how many Tenth Doctor variations?).

THE TELEGRAPH news report

It's not Christmas yet, is it?

The BBCi Team is spoiling UK DOCTOR WHO fans by looping 24 hours-a-day the 90-second trailer for VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED.

Access the coverage by pressing your Red Button whilst watching any BBC digitally accessible channel.

19 December 2007 - At the launch of VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED, David Tennant confirmed that he will be doing FOUR "specials" but remained "enigmatic" about appearing in SERIES 5 (in 2010).

BBC NEWS report - Tennant denies Tate's comments.

BBC NEWS report today's interview on the BBC RADIO 2 Jonathan Ross programme in which Catherine Tate suggests that SERIES 4 will be David Tennant's final series.

However, this statement was later joined with a contradictory "Possibly" when she was asked if Tennant would be appearing in the interregnum 2009 "Specials".

Listen to the Jonathan Ross Radio Show.

Additionally, Catherine Tate confirms that SERIES 4 will be her final series as Donna Noble. Leaving the (TARDIS) doors open for (the underrated & undervalued) Freema Agyeman to return as a full-time assistant Martha Jones?

EDITORIAL brief comment: If this going to be another "Eccleston farrago"? The BBC denying all knowledge that he would not star in SERIES 2 from SERIES 1 Day 1. The BBC need to show Trust and Commitment to their (loyal) audience and not lie.

Understood, T Davies and Collinson? Be big - Stan and Ollie did!

Another infamous EDITORIAL COMMENT

CHARACTER OPTIONS continue to delight both young and old (read: Collectors) with more variations-on-a-theme action figures.

The latest designs include:

• THE DOCTOR (OVERCOATED) WITH GHOST TRANSMISSION TRIANGULATION & BACKPACK (from ARMY OF GHOSTS)
• SCARECROW - blue variation (HUMAN NATURE)
• SARAH JANE JANE AND K-9 (SCHOOL REUNION)
• ROSE WITH ICE GUN (THE GIRL IN THE FIREPLACE)
• SYCORAX WARRIOR WITH SWORD - new sculpted version (THE CHRISTMAS INVASION)
• CYBERMAN - GLOW IN THE DARK

The CLASSIC SERIES DVD, DOCTOR WHO - THE TIME MEDDLER has been confirmed for 4 February (though 11 February has been listed too) 2008 release.

The DVD EXTRAS have been revealed like a monk disrobing:

• STUDIO COMMENTARY - Peter Purves, producer Verity Lambert, script editor Donald Tosh and (the best creative ever to work on the SERIES) designer Barry Newbery.
• STRIPPED FOR ACTION - Exanines the First Doctor's comic strip adventures.
  It features interviews with artist Bill Mevin, comics historians Jeremy
  Bentham and John Ainsworth and former Doctor Who Magazine editors Gary Russell and Alan Barnes.
• THE LOST 12 SECONDS - An off air audio recording and the original script to place the missing twelve seconds of episode four in context within the story. The section was removed by overseas censors prior to recovery of the print.
• RESTORATION - A short featurette showing "before and after" examples of techniques used during the restoration of this story.
• PRODUCTION NOTES and PUBLICITY PHOTOGRAPHS.

AMAZON.CO.UK has reduced the price of the DOCTOR WHO - SERIES 3 DVD boxset by 41% to £40.98 (new and sealed) for a limited time. See right.

UPDATE NEWS: THE FIVE DOCTORS (SPECIAL EDITION) is being released on 3 March 2008 as a two-disc set.

• Standard TX Edition (New to DVD)
• Special Extended Edition
• The best Doctor Who Easter Egg ever!
• 2 Commentaries
• 2 Documentaries
• Isolated score and
• Raw footage from the Director's Gallery
• Coming soon on DVD Trailer, Photo Gallery, Radio Times billings
• Programme Subtitles and Subtitle production notes

This followed by a 10 March release for VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED.

The BBC has OFFICIALLY* aired the BBC ONE VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED teaser.

Short and sweet.

* If the TV Preview appears on other websites (except YOUTUBE BBC section) it is acting against BBC Copyright.

AIRFIX have released the first DOCTOR WHO model kits (complete with paint and brushes) featuring David Tennant's Doctor, Freema Agyeman's Martha Jones and a fully functional (lights and FX sound) TARDIS.

Looks impressive.

Release: December 2007. RRP £24.99

7 December 2007 - The BBC TWO financial programme, THE MONEY PROGRAMME followed the development of the DOCTOR WHO kit for 12 months. It reported that due to delays by BBC WALES in confirming the models the launch of the product was delayed. It resulted in just 52 kits being imported this month (into London's HAMLEY'S toy store.

Other products in development are ALL the CLASSIC SERIES Doctors, NEW SERIES Dalek and Cybermen.

See programme images - right - including some of the DOCTOR WHO "heads" in development if you look carefully.

In the middle of the night, BBC ONE has released a range of more than 30 new photographs from VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED.

Click READ MORE for a selection - No spoilers, just adventure.

But how does a newspaper seller in Camden relate to the Christmas Day episode?

VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED

The BBC has released OFFICIAL photos of Kylie Minogue as Astrid Peth (on the HOME page) and Jimmy Vee as Bannakaffalatta.

VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED

CASTING UPDATE - Character titles

Amid all the furore over David Tennant's VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED appearance a little gem has passed by.

BBC RADIO 4 is broadcasting (Saturday 22 December at 14:30) THE WOODEN OVERCOAT adapted by (the underrated) Mark Gatiss.

At a loss as to what to do after his acquittal, Benji discovers the Asterisk Club, founded by Clifford Flush. The Club is for those who have strayed beyond the pale, but not paid the ultimate price. To join, qualified prospective members must name the Club as the beneficiary of their will to enjoy its comforts and unique benefits.

However, with the Club full, Benji finds himself lodging in a rat-infested house next door with a young bohemian couple, Fan and Peter. Retired rat catcher Mr Alfred L Beesum arrives but, suddenly, Benji is found dead.

Set in the pre-chic 1951 Chelsea (London) of rat-infested boarding houses and tattered ration books, The Wooden Overcoat stars Tom Allen as Benji, Julia Davis as Fan, David Tennant as Peter and Alan David as Mr Beesum.

Of course, Tennant appears in the final episode of the comedy (I think) show, EXTRAS.

THE SACRIFYERS are coming to raise havoc to BBC 7 (digital radio and online) over Christmas and New Year, ahead of their third audio adventure, FOR KING AND COUNTRY (released on CD in 2008).

Starring CLASSIC SERIES (and NEW SERIES?) actors, Nicholas Courtney and Terry Molloy star in two stories (of three 30-minute episodes each), THE NAZAD CONSPIRACY and THE DEVIL OF DENGE MARSH.

THE NAZAD CONSPIRACY - 24-26 December at 18:00

Christmas 1936. Ghost story writer Professor Dunning (Terry Molloy) doesn't believe in the supernatural. So he's more than surprised when an invisible winged demon appears in his drawing room.

The Metropolitan Police's longest-serving officer, Inspector Lionheart ( Nicholas Courtney ), doesn't believe in the supernatural either, wings or no wings. So he's less than impressed when Russian emigres begin dying impossible deaths all over London.

Together, Lionheart and Dunning must face quarrelsome Generals, sinister clowns and Russian demons as they unravel THE NAZAD CONSPIRACY.

THE DEVIL OF DENGE MARSH - 27-28 & 31 December at 18:00

A melting minister... a scientific project gripped by madness... a remote village on the Kent coast where the locals have some strange habits indeed. It's all just the ticket for top-secret government department, MI-13.

Lionheart (Nicholas Courtney) and Dunning (Terry Molloy) are back, to do battle with an old adversary and an inter-dimensional being from the dawn of time - THE DEVIL OF DENGE MARSH.

A perfect antidote to an overindulgence of WHO.

THE SACRIFYERS website

eyeofhorus.org.uk would like to wish all Users a very merry...

Bit too early.

The BBC has not OFFICIALLY* released the BBC ONE CHRISTMAS TV PREVIEW yet via their resources archive but when they do it will appear here.

In the meantime, some images from the Preview.

Without giving too much away about the plot.

BBC ONE has confirmed that VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED has been "re-edited" and will be running to 71 minutes (and not the original 60 minutes).

The show has now been added to the BBC ONE "repeats schedule".

• 27 December 2007 (signed version) 01.15
• 1 January 2008 - 14:15

* If the TV Preview appears on other websites (except YOUTUBE BBC section) it is acting against BBC Copyright.

Tonight, BBC ONE has aired the first Christmas trailer, featuring DOCTOR WHO - VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED's David Tennant, Kylie Minogue (being matter transported), Clive Swift, "Angel Pilot Fish" and lots of explosions.

And the countdown continues with the RADIO TIMES preview edition (8-14 December 2007) featuring Tennant and Minogue.

Will DOCTOR WHO be "rewarded" with another Christmas/New Year cover?

CHARACTER OPTIONS has released more details of new DOCTOR WHO action figures for 2007/08.

• THE NINTH DOCTOR - Green jumper variation
• ASTRID PERTH (and a 12" version) and (new) TENTH DOCTOR (VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED) - February 2008
• DONNA NOBLE (THE RUNAWAY BRIDE)
• GENETIC DALEK PRINT - with Rose's interactive handpirnt (DALEK) - the handprint disappears when a thumb or finger is placed over.
• DIRTY DALEK (DALEK - pre-regeneration process)
• THE EDITOR (THE LONG GAME)
• CAPT. JACK HARKNESS - with overcoat (UTOPIA)
• NOVICE HAME - White habit (NEW EARTH)

And as reminder (previously reported) the CLASSIC SERIES will be released from March 2008:

• FOURTH DOCTOR (REVENGE OF THE CYBERMEN)
• FIFTH DOCTOR (RESURRECTION FO THE DALEKS)
• SIXTH DOCTOR (ATTACK FO THE CYBERMEN)
• SEA DEVIL (THE SEA DEVILS)
• ZYGON (TERROR OF THE ZYGONS)
• SV7 and D84 ROBOTS (THE ROBOTS OF DEATH)
• MAGNUS GREEL and MR SIN (THE TALONS OF WENG CHIANG)