eyeofhorus.org.uk would like to apologise in advance but due to a family medical emergency the site will not be updated until 2 May at the very earliest.

In the meantime, enjoy THE IMPOSSIBLE ASTRONAUT and THE DAY OF THE MOON, and BBC3's DOCTOR WHO CONFIDENTIAL.

And check out our latest free-to-enter competitions.

SERIES 6 EPISODE GUIDE

With thanks to BBC DVD.

It's not published until 30 May 2011 but eyeofhorus.org.uk has a preview review of DOCTOR WHO - FRONTIOS.

FRONTIOS DVD review

Following the death of Lis Sladen, Tom Baker has continued the tributes.

It is truly moving.

A part of the tribute:

Sarah Jane dead?  No, impossible!  Impossible.  Only last week I agreed to do six new audio adventures with her for Big Finish Productions.

She can't be dead.  But she is: she died yesterday morning.  Cancer.  I had no idea she was ill; she was so private, never wanted any fuss, and now, gone.  A terrible blow to her friends and a shattering blow for all those fans of the programme whose lives were touched every Saturday evening by her lovely heroic character, Sarah-Jane Smith. 

I am consoled by the memories.  I was there, I knew her, she was good to me and I shall always be grateful, and I shall miss her.

The official Tom Baker website

Tonight, Elisabeth Sladen has died.

Unbelievable shocking news and we pass your heartfelt sympathy to her family and friends.

"Tears, Sarah Jane". Yes, there will be a few tonight.

(21:42) Tonight, on BBC NEWS Russell T Davies spoke:"A lot a children will need a hug in the morning over breakfast from mum & dad. I loved her. A great actor, and so much fun. Such a beautiful woman."

06:15 20.04.2011 - Matt Smith: "What struck me about Lis was her grace. She welcomed me, educated me, delighted me with her tales about adventures in DOCTOR WHO. And she also seemed to have a quality of youth that not many people retain as they go through life. Her grace and kindness will stay with me because she had such qualities in abundance and shared them freely.
I will miss her, as will the world of Doctor Who and all the Doctors that had the good pleasure to work with Lis Sladen and travel the universe with Sarah Jane."

Report: THE SUN - "GREATEST DR WHO GIRL EVER" - DOCTOR Who fans were in mourning last night after one of his most famous companions Elisabeth Sladen died.

Report: THE GUARDIAN - Elisabeth Sladen dies aged 63 - The actor Elisabeth Sladen best known for her role as Doctor Who's time travelling companion, has died of cancer, aged 63. Sladen played many roles over the years, but was defined by her portrayal of tough-talking journalist Sarah Jane Smith in the BBC series, and later went on to star in her own spin-off programme, The Sarah Jane Adventures.

The fifth series of THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES was suspended in the spring due to her illness but the first three stories (two written by Phil Ford and one by Gareth Roberts) were completed (late 2010). SERIES 4 (featuring Matt Smith and Katy Manning) has not been scheduled for DVD release as yet.

2009 interview with Elisabeth Sladen by CBBC.

Report: CBBC News (and advice if you are upset about the news)

20.04.2011- Today, ironically, DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE has published a new magazine relating to THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES. In shops now according to its Editor, Tom Spilsbury.

20.04.2011 - Stephen Fry has paid his respects to the star: "What terribly sad news about Elisabeth Sladen - her Sarah Jane was part of my childhood. Deepest sympathy to her family".

20.04.2011 - "Elisabeth Sladen Matriarch of Dr Who - I loved my time on the Tardis with her. I am proud to have worked with such an icon of the sci fi world. Your Dr Who family are very sad and will miss you and your beautiful smile. (Doctor Who writer) Rtd (Russell T. Davies) called me this morning when I woke up. She lived in my flat in Cardiff when she was filming Sja (spin-off series The Sarah Jane Adventures). She was a delight. Can't tell you how sad I am. I wanted to let you know I got the news as a lot of you were concerned. I'm off to chill, I hope you understand."

Elisabeth Sladen's October 2010 appearance as part of a BFI panel relating to THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES.

BBC has released a Press Statement:

It is with much sadness that we can announce Elisabeth Sladen, the much-loved actress best known for her role as Sarah Jane Smith in Doctor Who and CBBC's The Sarah Jane Adventures, passed away this morning. She was 63.

Lis first appeared as Sarah Jane in Doctor Who in 1973 alongside the Third Doctor Jon Pertwee and stayed for three and half seasons working alongside Jon and the Fourth Doctor Tom Baker. She returned to the role on numerous occasions over the years and, in 2007, was given her own spin-off series on CBBC - The Sarah Jane Adventures - where she would appear alongside new Doctors David Tennant and Matt Smith.

The Sarah Jane Adventures brought Lis a whole new generation of fans who grew up to love her alien-busting adventures. The series was hugely popular with fans young and old and won this year's RTS Award for best children's drama.

Controller of CBBC Damian Kavanagh said tonight: "I'm deeply saddened and shocked by the news of Lis' untimely death. Lis brought joy, excitement and a sense of wonder to her many fans in her role as Sarah Jane Smith. She was adored by our young audience and I know all of them will miss her as much as I will."

The creator of The Sarah Jane Adventures Russell T Davies said: "I absolutely loved Lis. She was funny and cheeky and clever and just simply wonderful. The universe was lucky to have Sarah Jane Smith; the world was lucky to have Lis."

Steven Moffat, Doctor Who's Lead Writer and Executive Producer said: "'Never meet your heroes' wise people say. They weren't thinking of Lis Sladen.

"Sarah Jane Smith was everybody's hero when I was younger, and as brave and funny and brilliant as people only ever are in stories. But many years later, when I met the real Sarah Jane - Lis Sladen herself - she was exactly as any child ever have wanted her to be. Kind and gentle and clever; and a ferociously talented actress, of course, but in that perfectly English unassuming way.

"There are a blessed few who can carry a whole television show on their talent and charisma - but I can't think of one other who's done it quite so politely. I once showed my son Joshua an old episode of Doctor Who, in which Lis appeared. "But that's Sarah Jane," he said, confused "In old Doctor Who. From years ago. How come she always look exactly the same?" It's not a comfort today, of course, but children will still be saying that fifty years from now."

Keith Jones, Director, BBC Cymru Wales, said: "The Sarah Jane Adventures has been one of the most successful children's programmes on television in recent years - and without Elisabeth Sladen it would not have happened. A brilliant presence on screen and on set, she brought the excitement and energy of the Doctor Who family of programmes, of which we are very proud at BBC Wales, to a whole new generation. She will be missed by all at BBC Wales who worked with her."

Roger Carey, who represented Lis for many years, said. "She was not just a client, but a dear friend. She was so positive about life and her natural energy was intoxicating. She couldn't believe her luck when her career was resurrected in her own series."

Lis had been suffering from cancer. She leaves behind a husband, actor Brian Miller, and her daughter, Sadie.

Elisabeth Sladen 1948 - 2011.

A personal comment from the eyeofhorus.org.uk Editor

UPDATED: 19.04.2011 00:01 - EMBARGOED images released (see right).

UPDATE: 19.04.2011 00:01 - BBC PICTURES has authorised the release of new images from SERIES 6.

BBC PICTURES will be lifting the "embargo" from a set of exclusive images from SERIES 6 EPISODE 1 - and they are incredible, especially the one with the...

The images will appear here from 00:01 Tuesday 19 April.

SERIES 6 EPISODE GUIDE

With thanks to AUDIOGO.

To coincide with DOCTOR WHO SERIES 6, Matt Smith returns to AUDIOGO with James Goss' DOCTOR WHO - THE HOUNDS OF ARTEMIS, co-starring Clare Corbett as Helen Stapleton.

The Doctor and Amy visit Smyrna, 1929, in order to investigate a mystery. The Doctor knows that something very bad happened there: something that caused a lot of people to die and an entire, magnificent Temple to be found and then immediately lost again. But he doesn't know what is picking off the archaeologists one by one, or how it is connected to the terrifying howling in the night. And as he and Amy get closer to the terrible truth behind an ancient evil, he begins to wish he'd never found out…

It is released on 5 May 2011 in two formats (CD £9.25 or download £6.79).

With thanks to TAYLOR HERRING.

A security alert at the DOCTOR WHO EXPERIENCE was sparked as a NEW SERIES dalek "dematted" from Olympia 2's exhibition area into the surrounding streets. Thankfully, armed with his trusty sonic screwdriver, Max Hardy managed to fend it off and return it to the event. There's never a Doctor around when you need one.

The event continues throughout this Easter and May Bank Holiday and, with the launch of SERIES 6, is expected to to be very busy and pre-booking of tickets is essential.

Our DWE review - including Ticket Booking details

In an interview with the DAILY MAIL, Karen Gillan reveals that Steven Moffat had wrote two endings for the "game changing" SERIES 6 EPISODE 7, only to reveal the real ending just before recording the episode.

Interview with Karen Gillan (Spoiler-free)

It's crept up on eyeofhorus.org.uk, slowly and gradually, without a fuss but the site is heading toward a "visitor page hit" count of four million since it was launched in April 2003.

So, thank you for your support.

Without the need of multi-visiting Forums (that rack-up a visitor-page count), the site has remained focused on on delivering independent comment (both praise and criticism where appropriate) relating to DOCTOR WHO (and, to a lesser extent, its associated spin-off series such as TORCHWOOD and THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES).

Over eight years, the layout and tone of the site has not substantially changed, and it could be said that eyeofhorus.org.uk is like two commercial products;

• RONSEAL (a varnish for exterior wood preservation) - "Does exactly what it says on the tin"®
• MARMITE (the savoury spread) - "Love it or hate it"©

In the coming months there will be no major changes either in design or in how news & comment is presented, however there will be a special competition to celebrate the four millionth visitor page hit.

UPDATE 16.04.2011: Today, that's it 4,000,000 page hits reached. Thank you.

The four millionth visitor page hit competition

WITH THANKS TO AUDIOGO

This summer, AUDIOGO continues with their commitment to DOCTOR WHO CLASSIC SERIES unabridged novelisations. The readers for three future releases has been released:

• GHOST LIGHT (2 June 2011) read by IAN HOGG (Josiah in GHOST LIGHT)
• DOCTOR WHO: DALEKS - THE CHASE (7 July 2011) read by MAUREEN O'BRIEN (Vicky) with Nicholas Briggs as the voice of the Daleks
• FURY FROM THE DEEP (4 August 2011) – DAVID TROUGHTON

Review of DOCTOR WHO - INFERNO (AUDIOGO)

This week's RADIO TIMES (on sale Wednesday 13 April) will include the now annual episode guide to the new series written by the "showrunner", and it has a DOCTOR WHO related cover.

The episode overview for SERIES 6 PART 1 reveals that the Cybermen are making a return in episode 7, A GOOD MAN GOES TO WAR.

The RADIO TIMES has confirmed that the first episode of SERIES 6, THE IMPOSSIBLE ASTRONAUT will be broadcast at 18:00 on Saturday 23 April 2011. This marks the earliest time that a NEW SERIES episode has been broadcast.

SERIES 6 EPISODE GUIDE

With thanks to BBC DVD.

BBC DVD has mailed the Press Review copies for the May 2011 releases from the CLASSIC SERIES archive. DOCTOR WHO - MANNEQUIN MANIA (two-discs - see image of preview discs) is released on 9 May and DOCTOR WHO - FRONTIOS released on 30 May.

Reviews will appear shortly.

As an update to this summer's releases, here's the current schedule:

• 20 June - EARTHSTORY boxset
• 18 July - PARADISE TOWERS
• 1 August - THE SUNMAKERS
• 12 September - DAY OF THE DALEKS (special edition)

Today, two further episode titles have been released ahead of the 23 April launch.

• EPISODE 3 - THE CURSE OF THE BLACK SPOT
• EPISODE 6 - THE ALMOST PEOPLE
• EPISODE 7 - A GOOD MAN GOES TO WAR

SERIES 6 EPISODE GUIDE

Next week's RADIO TIMES (on sale Wednesday 13 April) will include the now annual episode guide to the new series written by the "showrunner", and it can be expected that the issue will have a DOCTOR WHO related cover (though the following issue will coincide with the series' launch the cover will be "Royal Wedding" related).

BBC PICTURES has released the latest publicity images for SERIES 6 promotion.

SERIES 6 EPISODE GUIDE

PANINI COMICS have released details of the forthcoming (7 April 2011) edition of DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE.

Of course, there will be some fans who will want to collect all four covers but at £4.50 it will be a costly affair though generating generous revenue for the publisher.

The latest trailer for SERIES 6 has been broadcast by BBC AMERICA and it contains new insights to the forthcoming launch (23 April 2011).

SERIES 6 EPISODE GUIDE

With thanks to BBC DVD.

01.04.2011 - BBC DVD has provided the individual sleeves for the release.

BBC DVD has released boxset sleeve for the CLASSIC SERIES, DOCTOR WHO - MANNEQUIN MANIA (featuring the revisited title SPEARHEAD FROM SPACE and TERROR OF THE AUTONS).

SPEARHEAD FROM SPACE "Value Added Material":

• Two Commentaries Caroline John and Nicholas Courtney and another with producer Derrick Sherwin and script editor Terrance Dicks.
• Down to Earth Cast and crew look back at the making of this story and how a strike at the BBC studios inadvertently created the only classic series story to be made entirely on film. With actor Jon Pertwee, producers Derrick Sherwin and Barry Letts, script editor Terrance Dicks, costume designer Christine Rawlins and assistant script editor (and inadvertent Auton actor) Robin Squire. Narrated by Carl Kennedy.
• Regenerations From Black and White to Colour – ‘Spearhead from Space’ marked not only the arrival of a new Doctor but also the transition from black and white to colour. This documentary looks at the challenges faced by programme makers during this period. With actors Frazer Hines and Wendy Padbury, producer Derrick Sherwin, script editor Terrance Dicks, directors Timothy Combe, Christopher Barry and Michael Ferguson, designer Roger Cheveley and graphic designer Bernard Lodge. UNIT Recruitment Film (dur. 4’ 48”) – a spoof army recruitment film put together for BBC transmission during Doctor Who’s 30th anniversary celebrations in 1993.
• Trailers Two trailers for the 1999 BBC2 transmission of the story and for ‘Doctor Who Night’ from the same year.
• Photo Gallery Production, design and publicity photos from the story.
• Coming Soon - Trailer for a forthcoming DVD release.
• Radio Times Listings in Adobe PDF format.

TERROR OF THE AUTONS "Value Added Material":

• Commentary Katy Manning and Nicolas Courtney, producer Barry Letts.
• Life on Earth In this documentary, cast and crew look back at the making of the story and the differences in the way Doctor Who was made in the seventies compared to now. With actors Jon Pertwee, Katy Manning and Richard Franklin, producer Barry Letts, script editor Terrance Dicks and new series producer Phil Collinson.
• The Doctor’s Moriarty With the introduction of the Master, the Doctor now had his very own Moriarty, who would be the dark figure behind every story in season eight, and many more beyond that. This featurette discusses the enduring appeal of the character. With actor Katy Manning, producer Barry Letts, script editors Terrance Dicks and Christopher H Bidmead and writers Robert Shearman and Joe Lidster.
• Plastic Fantastic How did the writers of Doctor Who and other programmes take something as everyday as plastic and turn it against us? With writers Francesca Gavin, Robert Shearman and new series designer Matthew Savage.
• Photo Gallery Production, design and publicity photos from the story.
• Coming Soon Trailer for a forthcoming DVD release.
• Radio Times Listings and promotional material for Sugar Smacks and Nestle products in Adobe PDF format.

Released on 9 May 2011.

The DOCTOR WHO EXPERIENCE will be staying open for longer in the run-up to the start of SERIES 6.

On Thursday 14 April and Saturday 16 April 2011, the EXPERIENECE will open until 20:30 (with last entry at 19:00) for fans to assist the Doctor in his fight against the daleks in the 3D walk-through, and then to confront Cybermen, Zygon, Martian, Davros and a forest of Weeping Angels.

Our DWE preview page - including ticket booking details