On 11 March, BBC CONSUMER PRODUCTS is releasing a two-disc special edition DVD revisitation of William Hartnell's DOCTOR WHO - THE AZTECS (1964).

The Doctor (William Hartnell), Ian (William Russell), Barbara (Jacqueline Hill) and Susan (Carol Ann Ford) find themselves stranded in Aztec times when the TARDIS is trapped in a tomb. Proclaimed a goddess by the Aztec priests, Barbara attempts to change the course of history by forbidding the human sacrifices which are part of the Aztecs' religion. It is up to the Doctor to find a way back into the tomb and recover the TARDIS, before the priest Tlotoxl (John Ringham) unmasks Barbara.

The second disc includes a shortened reconstruction of the missing story, DOCTOR WHO - GALAXY 4, using off-screen still, audio recordings and animation, plus the recently recovered episode three to tell the story. Other new DVD EXTRAS include:

• CHRONICLE - THE REALMS OF GOD
• DR. FOREVER - CELESTIAL TOYROOM (review of DOCTOR WHO toys over the years)
• IT'S A SQUARE WORLD - the very first DOCTOR WHO skit with Clive Dunn.
• A WHOLE SQUARE GOING - behind the scenes of the 1965 movie, DALEKS INVASION EARTH: 2050AD.
• TRAILER of a forthcoming DVD release: DOCTOR WHO- THE ICE WARRIORS.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of a British institution - and worldwide phenomenon - CHARACTER OPTIONS will be launching a special edition remote control 12" NEW SERIES (the better one) Dalek with a suitable paint-job.

The BBC has confirmed casting news for the much-anticipated BBC TWO drama-doc, AN ADVENTURE IN SPACE AND TIME (which starts filming in February at BBC TV Centre).

As eyeofhorus.org.uk predicted (an educated guess), David Bradley (DINOSAURS ON A SPACESHIP) will play William Hartnell, Brian Cox (THE END OF TIME) will portray Sydney Newman, CALL THE MIDWIFE actress, Jessica Raine as Verity Lambert, whilst Sacha Dhawan (LAST TANGO IN HALIFAX) as Waris Hussein (Director of AN UNEARTHL;Y CHILD).

Bradley says:

"I first heard about this role from Mark while watching the Diamond Jubilee flotilla from the roof of the National Theatre," said Bradley, who played the character of Solomon in 2012 episode Dinosaurs on a Spaceship.

When he asked if I would interested, I almost bit his hand off! Mark has written such a wonderful script not only about the birth of a cultural phenomenon, but a moment in television's history.

William Hartnell was one of the finest character actors of our time and as a fan I want to make sure that I do him justice. I'm so looking forward to getting started."

The 90-minute drama is written by Mark Gatiss.

The BBC has confirmed that the second part of SERIES 7 will be broadcast from Saturday 30 March.

The BBC has confirmed that the Autumn broadcast (yes, you can guarantee that it will broadcast on Saturday 23 November) of the 50th Anniversary Special episode will be (only) 60-minutes in duration.

In this anniversary year, the BBC will be broadcasting a series of 11 programmes (25-minute duration) under the umbrella title, DOCTOR WHO REVISITED, in addition to the much-anticipated drama-doc, AN ADVENTURE IN SPACE AND TIME (which starts filming in February).

Promotional campaigns will include:

• A Doctor per month retail campaign in association with AMAZON and FORBIDDEN PLANET
• Tie-ins with the UK's SCIENCE MUSEUM
• ROYAL MAIL stamps (March)
• BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE exclusive screenings

The BBC has confirmed that the second part of SERIES 7 will be broadcast from Saturday 30 March.

This represents the final eight episodes of the dissected run with episodes written by Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss, Neil (LUTHER) Cross, and, amongst others, Neil Gaiman.

From today, following the Christmas and New Year holidays, normal service will resume with updates from the eyeofhorus.org.uk Editorial office.

It's anniversary years for not only the series but for eyeofhorus.org.uk too. In April, it will be 10 years online (and 30 years since the printed magazine was first published).

Happy New Year everyone.