AMAZON.CO.UK are listing the unabridged reading of Peter Davison's 1982 two-parter, BLACK ORCHID.

Scheduled for release on BBC AUDIO (CD) on 12 June 2008 (released in conjunction with the unabridged reading of DOCTOR WHO AND THE DAEMONS). RRP £17.99.

On a lazy June afternoon in 1925 the TARDIS materialises at the tiny railway station of Cranleigh Halt. Warmly welcomed by the local gentry, the time-travellers look forward to a well deserved rest from their adventures. After a stunning performance at a friendly cricket match, the Doctor, together with Tegan, Adric and Nyssa, is invited to a splendid masked ball by Lady Cranleigh and her son, Charles. But a dark menace haunts the secret corridors of Cranleigh Hall. And before the ball is over, the quiet summer will be shattered by the shocking discovery of a brutal murder.

Read by Michael Crochrane (Lord Cranleigh in the TV story).

AMAZON.CO.UK have updated Pre-Release information to include for forthcoming DOCTOR WHO CLASSIC SERIES DVDs.

The K9 TALES "boxset" of Tom Baker's 1977 story, THE INVISIBLE ENEMY has been doubled-up with the spin-off, K9 AND COMPANY (1982) starring the perennial Elisabeth Sladen.

Releasing on 16 June 2008.

THE INVISIBLE ENEMY DVD EXTRAS include:

• STUDIO COMMENT: John Leeson, Louise Jameson. Mat Irvine and Bob Baker (writer)
• DREAM AND FANTASY: The making of the story
• STUDIO SWEEPINGS: Behind the scenes recordings
• VISUAL EFFECT: Exactly what it says on the tin
• ALTERNATIVE SPECIAL EFFECTS: Exactly what it says on the tin
• BLUE PETER: The children's magazine show promotes the story
• COMING SOON..., PHOTO GALLERY, RADIO TIMES CLIPPINGS, TRAILERS & CONTINUTIY ANNOUNCEMENTS

The K9 & COMPANY DVD EXTRAS include:

• STUDIO COMMENT: John Leeson, Elisabeth Sladen, Eric Saward and Linda Polan
• K9 FILES: A documentary about the DOCTOR WHO icon
• K9 - A DOG'S TALE: John Leeson as K9 is quizzed
• PEBBLE MILL AT ONE: The lunchtime magazine show promotes the story
• K9 STORIES: PDFs of published books about K9.
• COMING SOON..., PHOTO GALLERY, RADIO TIMES CLIPPINGS, TRAILERS & CONTINUTIY ANNOUNCEMENTS

The best PRE-ORDER price - so far - for UK delivery is from TESCO JERSEY (TESCO.COM) (free UK delivery): £15.97 (29.04.2008). Link below.

This week's RADIO TIMES interviews "he must return to the DOCTOR WHO series soon" actor, Nicholas Courtney (UNIT'S original Brigadier) commenting on the reappearance of UNIT in THE SONTARAN STRATAGEM.

RADIO TIMES

William Hartnell's THE RESCUE and THE ROMANS is to be released by 2|entertain in "late summer" 2008.

The mini-boxset will be promoted as "Vicki's Tales" (to be confirmed).

The two soundtrack to Peter Cushing's 1960s feature films will be released by SILVA SCREEN RECORDS later this year.

The films are DOCTOR WHO AND THE DALEKS (scored by Barry Gray and Malcolm Lockyer) and DALEKS - INVASION EARTH 2150AD (scored by scored by Barry Gray and Bill Gullie).

The much anticipated, high quality collectibles featuring scenes from the CLASSIC SERIES and NEW SERIES will have an official launch next month.

WETA is a multi Academy Award-winning company based in Wellington (New Zealand), that rose to international fame with the creation of Middle-Earth for THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy. Since then, the art of Weta has been seen in a number of films such as KING KONG, THE LAST SAMURAI and THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA. The artists who create our collectibles are the same artists who work on these movies.

The launch will be at the annual MCM show 24-25 May.

The DOCTOR WHO output includes "scenes" and (impressive) "helmets" from:

• GENESIS OF THE DALEKS
• TERROR OF THE AUTONS
• DALEK
• RISE OF THE CYBERMEN
• 42
• THE CHRISTMAS INVASION
• THE SONTARAN EXPERIMENT

WETA website (Thanks to Magnus for the information)

Purchase from PLAY.COM - see link at the bottom of this page.

David Tennant is joined by David Morrissey for the SERIES 5 Christmas Day Special episode.

Thank you for MagicWho for the photos.

DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE issue 395.

Tomorrow's RADIO TIMES issue features Commander Staal from THE SONTARAN STRATAGEM.

Official BBC publicity will appear on the THE SONTARAN STRATAGEM episode guide page at 00:01 Tuesday 22 April.

CHARACTER OPTIONS have released details for another (overpriced?) action figure boxed-set.

From SERIES 3's THE SOUND OF DRUMS and LAST OF THE TIME LORDS comes two version of the Doctor (young and aged) and Martha Jones (in a polyester combat suit).

Expect an individual release for these figures by November, including a double-figure set featuring the "aged" and the "dwarfed" Doctor.

A Second Wave for the manufacturer's CLASSIC SERIES action figures has been updated:

• 7th DOCTOR Sylvester McCoy without hat as seen in GHOST LIGHT (1989)
• 8th DOCTOR Paul McGann
• ICE WARRIOR as from in THE ICE WARRIORS (1967)
• MORBIUS as seen in THE BRAIN OF MORBIUS (1976)
• MUMMY (with Urn) from PYRAMIDS OF MARS (1975)
• CYBERMAN (semi-transparent plastic) from THE TENTH PLANET (1966)
• VOC ROBOT (green) with number stickers from THE ROBOTS OF DEATH (1977)
• EXTRA FIGURE
  Collect all the figures in the wave to assemble an extra figure, like the K-1 Robot in Wave 1 figure packs. (Could this be the Kandy Man?)

DOCTOR WHO TOYS (UK fan website - the best for DW toys)

CHARACTER OPTIONS has released the final images for the DOCTOR WHO CLASSIC SERIES action figures.

And there is an interesting twist for collectors. An action figure of ROBOT K1 is being released as a bonus - but the action figure is being released in pieces. One piece in each of the CLASSIC SERIES figures to be constructed by the collector.

Press Release - 16 April 2008

Fans of all eras of DOCTOR WHO can look forward to an incredible range of DOCTOR WHO CLASSIC SERIES figures and monsters being launched in the UK by Character Options later this year.

Recreate scenes from the classic series of DOCTOR WHO with the poseable action figures. Each figure pack comes with a different collectable part of the giant K-1 robot from the fourth Doctor's first story in 1974. When all eight packs are collected, the giant robot will be complete.

Classic figures and robot parts include Tom Baker and the robot's hip, Peter Davison and the robot's right arm and Colin Baker plus the robot's upper chest. Other figures and monsters each with a robot part include a Sea Devil (1972), Zygon (1975), Magnus Greel & Mr Sin (1977), SV7 and D84 (1977).

Also being launched is a DOCTOR WHO 5 inch Classic Dalek Set - this set of three poseable Classic Daleks includes Daleks from The Dead Planet, (1963), The Planet of the Daleks, (1973) and Genesis of the Daleks (1975).

As master toy licensee Character has enjoyed immense success alongside BBC Worldwide through its DOCTOR WHO range of products and predicts a hugely positive response to the new collection, which is due to launch in August.

The Classic range is due to launch in the UK in August 2008 - dates and styles are subject to change.

5" Classic figures RRP: £7.99 and 5" Classic Dalek Set RRP: £16.99

DOCTOR WHO - PLANET OF THE OOD episode pre-broadcast photos have been authorised for release today (15.04.2008).

PLANET OF THE OOD episode guide for more

The newly launched BBC DOCTOR WHO website is all very nice but the curse of eyeofhorus.org.uk has infiltrated them. The odd spelling error.

The stunning work of the Special Effects Contractors must be a little miffed when they saw their "credit".

Newly appointed DOCTOR WHO Producer, Susie Liggat and new DOCTOR WHO Director, Andy Goddard have started to film the 2008 Christmas Day Victorian-themed special episode in a Welsh Graveyard.

Whilst there was not David Tennant in attendance, actress Dervla Kirwan is guest-starring in this story alongside a familiar alien enemy.

Cybermen.

William Hartnell's 1964, THE ROMANS is being released with linking narration on 8 May 2008 by BBC AUDIOBOOKS.

THE ROMANS (8 May 2008)

William Hartnell stars as the Doctor, alongside William Russell as Ian, Jacqueline Hill as Barbara and Maureen O'Brien as Vicki in this four part story set in Ancient Rome. Written by Dennis Spooner. Whilst Ian and Barbara are kidnapped by slave traders, the Doctor is mistaken for a famous lyre player and plays at Nero's court. Can the TARDIS crew reunite and escape Rome before it burns to the ground? The original TV soundtrack has been digitally remastered, with linking narration by a member of the original cast.

DOCTOR WHO fan forum websites are rife with loathsome "hate" postings aimed at actress, Catherine Tate following her appearance in PARTNERS IN CRIME (and even before it was broadcast on BBC ONE).

eyeofhorus.org.uk suggest that viewers should avoid these Forums. We will be too.

Eagle-eyed avid fanatical fans of DOCTOR WHO SERIES 4 will have noticed a key-word that follows on where BAD WOLF, TORCHWOOD, SAXON left off.

ATMOS. The sign in the taxi windshield will be revisited in the Earth-based stories culminating in THE SONTARAN STRATAGEM.

Or will it?

THE TIMES newspaper TV critic has savaged Russell T Davies' PARTNERS IN CRIME as being (comedy) "sketch show" with the writer's "instinct to play the show for laughs".

"My worry is that Davies has forgotten that DOCTOR WHO's main task is to send children scuttling behind sofas while entertaining their fathers with the odd philosophical idea, the occasional classical reference, a joke or two they would probably not wish to explain and a wee bit of space totty."

Quite true.

However, he does make one key observation which does irk the Editor of this site:

"To compound the facetiousness, the Doctor was later observed zooming though the skies waving through the TARDIS's open doors at Bernard Cribbins, who was looking at the stars through a telescope on his allotment. Let us get this straight. The TARDIS materialises and dematerialises though time and space, it does not blast off, career down streets or dart between clouds. Davies is thinking of a Thunderbird."

THE TIMES review

And then THE TELEGRAPH - a more positive review but did comment on Murray Gold's (or the Director's) poor soundtrack that - and this site agrees - is becoming too obtrusive - less is sometime more, Maestro - during some sections of drama.

"The eventual reunion proved nicely inventive too. The Doctor was peeping through the office window of the programme's chief baddie, when he noticed Donna peeping through the office door. As a result, the two had to mouth their delight at meeting again (although even if they'd been able to shout they'd still have been drowned out by the frankly melodramatic music)."

THE TELEGRAPH review

SERIES 4 episode one, PARTNERS IN CRIME was watched by an estimated 8.4 million UK viewers (39.4% share of the TV audience at that time).

If Russell T davies was correct that the earlier time slot had lost up to 1.5 million then he could have had 10.00 million viewers.

The official rating figure - expected in the region of 9.1 million - will be published by BARB in 10 days time.

Strangely, their appearance on BBCONE's FRIDAY NIGHT WITH JONATHAN ROSS was eclipsed by a Channel Five Natural History programme presenter - and a biting snake and a savage attack by a shark.

In the backstage Green Room,Tennant and Tate were genuinely shocked to witnessed the biting.

Later, the interview on the sofa was business-like (i.e. predictable) for the DOCTOR WHO team.

DOCTOR WHO CONFIDENTIAL goes behind the scenes of SERIES 4, THE FIRES OF POMPEII on BBC3 on 12 April 2008.

David Tennant heads up Pompeii and climbs Mount Vesuvius in this latest DOCTOR WHO CONFIDENTIAL exclusive. In this exclusive episode, DOCTOR WHO CONFIDENTIAL steps out from behind-the-scenes to reach brand new heights with the Time Lord himself, David Tennant .

Scaling Mount Vesuvius in the bay of Naples, the active DOCTOR WHO star ascends 4,200 feet to the summit of one of the world's most dangerous volcanoes.

"To be honest I'm quite excited at the prospect that it could blow at any second!" quips David, "...it's quite life-affirming somehow!"

For this special edition of BBC Three 's top-rated show, David also takes a guided tour around the ancient archaeological site of Pompeii. Nearly 2,000 years after the devastating eruption, the excavations have unearthed in amazing detail the secrets of a city at the height of the Roman Empire.

As he witnesses first-hand, many of the buried buildings are incredibly well-preserved and shockingly so too are the bodies of those killed in the 79 AD disaster. "You see the shapes of their bodies and the way they ended their existence and you can grasp how appalling and shocking the terror of that moment was," explains a clearly moved David in the streets of Pompeii.

Broadcast on BBC Three on Saturday 12 April 2008, cameras also follow the DOCTOR WHO crew to the Italian capital as they film the Time Lord's latest volcanic voyage at the world-famous Cinecitta Studios. "Taking the production abroad was something we talked about a long time ago," says producer Phil Collinson , "and to come here actually to Rome is such a thrill."

But traveling the long road to Rome was far from straightforward for the Cardiff-based production team and Confidential was backstage every step of the 2,500 mile round trip. Late lorries, a tight schedule, a large cast of extras (including rabbits, donkeys and chickens!), complex CGI sequences and an eruption on an epic scale, all combined to make this shoot an Italian job of colossal proportions.

"I'm delighted that none of the organisation of moving an entire crew across Europe falls to me," jokes David Tennant, "I would imagine Phil had several sleepless nights... I certainly overheard the odd screaming phone call."

Despite the logistical difficulties, the filming in Rome was a delight and DOCTOR WHO CONFIDENTIAL was there to chart every twist in the cast and crew's adventures in Italy. "We haven't really done this before," comments executive producer and head writer Russell T Davies .

"This is a massive event in history, and an event I think that children have always been fascinated by. I remember learning the story of Pompeii at a very young age and being thrilled by it."

BBC DOCTOR WHO

DOCTOR WHO CONFIDENTIAL goes behind the scenes of SERIES 4, and a Trailer for PARTNERS IN CRIME is now online.

And the chemistry between Tennant and Tate looks incredible. Just the tonic for Tennant following the death of his Mother?

BBC DOCTOR WHO

Although a temporary cover, DOCTOR WHO OFFICIAL ANNUAL 2009 is now available for pre-orders. RRP £6.99 but wait until January 2009 and you can but it for £1.00 in the sales.

Sonic screwdrivers at the ready! This year's official annual is a stellar 96 pages, packed with comic strips, stories, activities, fun features, posters and even a section on THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES.

Filled with monsters and adventures from the series, this will keep any budding Doctor busy!

The DOCTOR WHO FILES series is to be updated on 3 July 2008 with the SONTARANS (Unapproved cover shown). RRP £4.99. Suitable for children under 8 and fans from SE13.

David Tennant was interviewed by Simon Mayo on BBC RADIO 5 FIVE ahead of SERIES 4 launch.

Interestingly, though, Tennant confirms - for the first time publicly - that there was always a "five year plan" for DOCTOR WHO.

A plan that eyeofhorus.org.uk discussed, to the derision of other "fan websites", in 2004 (on the show's initial announcement). It was a guarantee by BBC ONE to produce the programme EVEN if the show's popularity was average. Okay, the return of Paul McGann - to date - was not correct but the pre-title sequence was accurate too.

Swings and roundabouts.

He reveals that in:

• THE FIRES OF POMPEII villains literally takes you breath away and that the inhabitants of Pompeii... well, that would telling too much.

Last night, BBC WALES encamped to Central London to launch SERIES 4 with Tennant and Tate in attendance.

BBC NEWS report - including RTD's comments on the time slot.

The report states that Russell T Davies is unable to confirm the series' plans after the 2009 Specials, however on BBC NEWS BREAKFAST (02.04.2008) he states that there will be series after the Specials.

THE TELEGRAPH - and THE TELEGRAPH readers best Doctor poll

SKY NEWS report - Including the quote concerning Tennant:

"He is booked in for three more specials next year, but there will not be another series until 2010. The time frame is almost designed for him to hand over the reigns to a new Doctor next year."

This morning, the BBC has released a series of promotional images based upon the "energy graphic" background image that was released last week.

Additionally, images from PARTNERS IN CRIME have been released.

PARTNERS IN CRIME episode guide

eyeofhorus.org.uk will publish a new set of official DOCTOR WHO SERIES 4 photographs at 00:01 Tuesday 1 April 2008.

The new images are legally embargoed until then.

Stunning photos featuring new full length images of the Tenth Doctor (with and without long coat & sonic screwdriver), Donna Noble (with long leather coat), Miss Foster (PARTNERS IN CRIME), and the Doctor & Claire.

The photos will appear here.

Photograph © BBC