Friday 30 August 2013

ANDY FRANKHAM-ALLEN PLEDGES SUPPORT 'FOR LUCA'

Cardiff-based Doctor Who author, Andy Frankham-Allen has pledged his support for meningitis survivor Luca Williams.
 
In January 2012, three-year-old Luca was diagnosed with Meningococcal Septicaemia, a disease that ravaged his body within a couple of hours. With less than a 3% chance of survival, the little fighter pulled through – but at a cost. He lost both his legs from beneath the knee, and much muscle and skin from beneath his hips.
 
His family began the For Luca campaign – designed to both raise awareness and money to provide Luca with the best possible prosthetic legs for his future. It began with ‘Raising Your Hand’; simple and easy for everyone to support, you simply had to write ‘For Luca’ on your hand and raise it high. 
 
Stars including F1 hero Lewis Hamilton, Kiss legend Gene Simmons and former Guns and Roses bassist Duff McKagan have all offered their support.
 
It was during the ‘Raising Your Hand’ campaign that Andy Frankham-Allen became aware of Luca at the ‘Avengers Assemble’ red-carpet event in April 2012. Andy Frankham-Allen says: “Luca is an amazing boy; funny, intelligent, and an inspiration to us all. The devotion his family show to him is quite incredible, and it’s great to be able to support him in this way.”
 
In conjunction with Luca’s family and Waterstones, Cardiff-based Candy Jar Books arranged for a signing of Andy’s new book ‘Companions: Fifty Years of Doctor Who Assistants’, during which he gave out the blue ‘For Luca’ wristbands.
 
Shaun Russell, head of publishing at Candy Jar Books – who also had meningitis as a child – feels that Welsh business should get behind Luca’s cause. He said: “Meningitis is a devastating condition for many people and their families. When I first heard of Luca’s campaign I felt compelled to get involved and offer any help I could.”
 
At the Waterstones’ signing, Candy Jar presented with a copy of Andy’s book and an exclusively drawn portrait of Luca by Cardiff-artist Jack Adams. Sian Williams, Luca's mum, said: "We are extremely grateful for the support Andy has given us through the launch of his new and exciting book."

Tuesday 27 August 2013

BFI AND ECCLESTON PAY HOMAGE TO NINTH DOCTOR!

To coincide with Doctor Who's 50th anniversary, the BFI have spent the last year acknowledging each Doctor with their own public event. Evenings have been filled with screenings, panel discussions and retrospective presentations, with last night's event in London showcasing the Ninth Doctor, played by Christopher Eccleston.

Image © BBC

Attendees included director Joe Ahearne, producer Phil Collinson and actor Bruno Langley - all of whom contributed in their own way to the programme back in 2005.

Screenings of Eccleston's final two episodes Bad Wolf and Parting of the Ways were among the evening's main attractions, providing a suitably nostalgic view on the show's progress since it's revival.


Eccleston himself however, was unable to attend. To make up for his absence, he issued a personal statement that was read out by BFI host Justin Johnson.

"I love the BFI. I love the Doctor and hope you enjoy this presentation. Joe Ahearne directed five of the 13 episodes of the first series. He understood the tone the show needed completely - strong, bold, pacy visuals coupled with wit, warmth and a twinkle in the performances, missus.

If Joe agrees to direct the 100th anniversary special. I will bring my sonic and a stair-lift and - providing the Daleks don't bring theirs - I, the Ninth Doctor, vow to save the universe and all you apes in it."

Even with it's actor absent, celebrations for the Ninth Doctor were in high spirits.

The next in line to be honoured of course, is David Tennant as the Tenth incarnation. With Tennant himself scheduled for attendance, the celebration seems to get bigger every time.

The event is planned for 29th September.

Wednesday 14 August 2013

TAKE A TARDIS TOUR!

Ever wondered what it would be like to take a tour inside the TARDIS?

Google Maps now gives you the opportunity to look inside the Earl's Court Police Box. It reveals the console room in all its glory and is an absolute must for anybody who’s long been wondering where the TARDIS toilet is. Click here to see for yourself.

Monday 5 August 2013

NEW DOCTOR ANNOUNCED!

In a special BBC broadcast revealing the latest actor to take on the role, Peter Capaldi has been officially announced as the 12th incarnation of the Doctor. 




At 55, the Glasgow-born actor’s age now equals that of William Hartnell. Capaldi is no stranger to television however, with his best-known role being Malcolm Tucker, the eccentric spin-doctor with a temper from the popular series The Thick of It. Other television credits include Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, The Vicar of Dibley and four-part series The Devil's Whore.
Interestingly, Capaldi's career already has ties with the Whoniverse, with previous roles such as Caecilius from the 2008 episode 'The Fires of Pompeii' and civil servant John Frobisher from Torchwood: Children of Earth proving this. His appearance in World War Z as the curiously titled 'W.H.O Doctor' continues to show that more people are taking notice of the actor's work.



As an actor, Capaldi's distinctive 'angry Scot' delivery suggests that Whovians will be treated to a sterner, wiser version of the Doctor, potentially boasting quite a temper. If this is the case, then it could give the programme a fresh new face distinct from the current actor, Matt Smith.

When discussing getting the part, Capaldi commented: "It's so wonderful not to keep this secret any longer, but it's been so fantastic... Being asked to play the Doctor is an amazing privilege. Like the Doctor himself I find myself in a state of utter terror and delight. I can't wait to get started".
 
Claiming to be a life-long fan of Doctor Who, Capaldi stated his preparation for the role consisted of revising scripts from previous Doctor Who episodes, before writer and executive producer Steven Moffat had provided him with new material for his own incarnation.
However, even with all this exposure and attention, fans have not forgotten the man still currently in charge of the role. In a pre-recorded message, the current Doctor, Matt Smith, spoke to Capaldi: "I wish my successor all the best and say good lucky and good on you for getting it, because I know he's both a huge fans of the show and a really nice guy".
 
Whilst the shoes are certainly big to fill, the popular opinion definitely seems to be that the iconic role is in safe hands.

Friday 2 August 2013

NEXT DOCTOR TO BE REVEALED THIS SUNDAY!

Well, the wait will soon be over. The BBC has announced that they will be revealing the identity of the actor to play the Twelfth Doctor this Sunday. 'Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor' will be broadcast on BBC One at 7pm and will also be simulcast live on BBC America.

The half hour show will include live special guests, Doctors old and new, as well as companions and celebrity fans.

Steven Moffat says: “The decision is made and the time has come to reveal who’s taking over the TARDIS. For the last of the Time Lords, the clock is striking twelve.”

Here's the trailer: