No Eccleston in 50th Anniversary Special

The BBC has confirmed that Ninth Doctor Christopher Eccleston, has decided that he will not take part in the 50th Anniversary episode.

The statement follows reports in the tabloid press that the actor had pulled out of the story just as filming was due to begin. However the BBC makes clear the actor was never contracted for the story which is currently in production.

A BBC spokesman explained:

"Chris met with Steven Moffat a couple of times to talk about steven's plans for the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary episode. After careful thought, Chris decided not to be in the episode. He wishes the team all the best."

Christopher Eccleston played the Ninth Doctor when the series returned in 2005, staying with the show for just one series. In 2011 he gave an interview saying he left the series because of politics and because he did not see eye-to-eye with senior members of the production team. He has stated how much he enjoyed the role and fans had hoped he could be persuaded to make an appearance in the 50th Anniversary Special.

An appearance from the Ninth Doctor in the story may still be possible using archive footage from the series.

Filming has continued this week, with Gelligaer Common north of Caerphilly playing host to the TARDIS (times two) yesterday. Jenna-Louise Coleman was present for recording scenes involving her on the Doctor's anti-grav bike and a helicopter was also present during the morning.

Meanwhile, John Hurt was at the BAFTAs yesterday, with the BBC report saying: "Hurt revealed he had come to the event from filming Doctor Who, for it's 50th Anniversary, in Cardiff".


Taken from: www.doctorwhonews.net


I think it's a real shame that Christopher Eccleston has decided not to take part in the special. I loved his portrayal of the Ninth Doctor, it would have been great to see his character develop in the Anniversary special.

Pee-Wee Herman Actor Joins Once Upon a Time in Wonderland

Paul Reubens, best known as Pee-Wee Herman (but with a long, long list of other sci-fi and fantasy roles including Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Mystery Men, Matilda, Flight of the Navigator, Pushing Daisies and Tron: Uprising) has been cast as the voice of the White Rabbit in the Once Upon a Time spin-off, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (which was previously reported as being called simply Once: Wonderland).

The White Rabbit - famous for worrying about his lateness - will be a CGI creation.

Reubens joins a cast which includes the previously announced Sophie Lowe, Emma Rigby and Michael Socha (yep, Tom from the UK Being Human).

At the moment the spin-off is only at pilot stage. A "presentation" is being directed by ralph Hemecker, who helmed the two Wonderland-centric episodes of Once Upon a Time. Set in a pre-curse Wonderland, the story is told through the point of view of Alice (Lowe) who has a generous heart but carries the scars of a long hard life. She is joined by Cyrus, Alice's love interest and the Knave of Hearts (Socha), a sardonic adventure.

If a series gets the green light the Mad Hatter and Cheshire Cat should make appearances.


Taken from: SFX

My 1 Week Challenge: The Importance of Keeping a Sketchbook

I told you that I was working on a 1 week challenge before I went to Paris, so here it is…

At uni my lecturer set the whole class a challenge: to fill an entire sketchbook in a week! I know what you're thinking, because I was thinking the same "How do you fill a whole sketchbook in a week?" Thankfully it was only a little A5 sketchbook, but it was still a challenge. Trying to find things to draw was hard, especially since I decided not to have a specific theme. I basically just stuck to what I've been doing in class. And it became quite addictive…

I didn't quite manage to fill all of the sketchbook in a week, but I think I did reasonably well. I believe that keeping a sketchbook is really important, not only will it show your progress but you can also jot down your ideas. The more you draw, the more you improve, take me as an example: I never thought I would be able to draw as well as I am now. Since starting uni again last year I have drawn at least once everyday and I've improved. So if you're passionate about something like drawing work on it a little each day and keep a record of it, like a sketchbook, you'll just get better and better and then you can show everyone how far you've come!

Also I apologise for the amount of Disney in my sketchbook, it was the week before I went to Paris and it was all I could think about!

Happy Fish Fingers and Custard Day!

Yes, its National Fish Fingers and Custard Day today. So for the first time ever, I have tried fish fingers and custard in honour of this special day!

I wasn't sure if I was going to like this combination, because to be honest it is a bit weird. But amazingly the custard really compliments the fish fingers. Whether you're a big fan of Doctor Who (like me) or not I urge you to give this a go, because they're quite tasty!

BREAKING NEWS: The Zygons are back!

We're delighted to confirm that the Zygons are returning to Doctor Who for the show's 50th anniversary special.

Aside from flashbacks these malevolent shape-shifters have only appeared once before, threatening Earth in the Fourth Doctor adventure, Terror of the Zygons. Despite the fact that thier solitary outing was over thirty years ago they remain a popular old enemy and in the 2010 episode, The Pandorica Opens, they were amongst the massed aliens said to be gathering above Stonehenge. Later, in The Power of Three, we learnt that Zygons had one of thier ships under the Savoy Hotel in 1890 and apparently replaced half the staff with imposters! But this time they really are back…

We've already confirmed that in the anniversary special Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman will be joined by the returning David Tennant and Billie Piper. Screen legend John Hurt is also in the cast and earlier today we revealed that Joanna Page (Gavin and Stacey, The Syndicate) would also be appearing in this eagerly anticipated adventure.

We'll be bringing you more news soon!


Taken from the official website.

National Fish Fingers and Custard Day

Special edition fish fingers with Captain Birdseye stepping aside for the Doctor have been created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the hit TV show and mark the launch of National Fish Fingers and Custard Day (Wednesday 3rd April) the favourite food of the eleventh incarnation of the Doctor.

The bespoke pack featuring the Doctor has been sent to Matt Smith, the eleventh incarnation of the famous character, along with a year's supply of Birdseye Fish Fingers.

Taken from: The Doctor Who Site

Unfortunately this special pack won't be available in shops, but that won't stop me from buying some fish fingers and custard ready for tomorrow!

Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special: The Read-through

The read-through for the Doctor Who 50th anniversary special took place earlier this evening, Monday 1st April.

Current Doctor Matt Smith was joined by David Tennant and many more familiar faces including Jenna-Louise Coleman (Clara), Joanna Page and Doctor Who's head writer and executive producer, Steven Moffat.

Over the weekend we confirmed that David Tennant and Billie Piper would both be returning to the show for the eagerly anticipated 50th anniversary special. We also revealed that screen legend John Hurt would also feature in the adventure.

The episode's production continues all this week and we'll be bringing you more news very soon…

Taken from the official website