Matt Smith doesn't think he'll beat Tom Baker's record

In an interview with the Press Association, Matt Smith reveals that he doesn't think he'll beat Tom Baker's record as longest running Doctor:

Matt Smith reckons he'll get traded in for a "younger, cooler person" on Doctor Who some day.

The actor has won critical acclaim - and a best actor gong at last week's National Television Awards - since he was announced as the 11th Timelord in 2009. But the 29-year-old admitted he wouldn't be playing the role forever.

"I just sort of take each year as it comes really. We've got all the rest of this year to get through and then we'll just sit down and review it from there and see where it goes," Matt said.

"But I love playing the part and I love working with (writer) Steven Moffat."

Referring to Tom Baker, the longest-running Doctor Who from 1974 to 1981, he added: "I think there will need to be a younger, cooler person than me - or maybe an older, cooler person, who knows? But I don't think I'll be doing it as long as Mr Baker."

Shooting on the new series starts mid-February and Matt - who will be joined by a new sidekick following the departure of co-star Karen Gillan - said he stays healthy to cope with the hectic filming schedule.

"Fruit, vegetables, good sleep if you can and preparation is the key," he explained.

Copyright © 2012 The Press Association. All rights reserved.

The Doctor Who Experience to bow out with a bang

The Doctor Who Experience will shortly come to a close in London - 22 February 2012 to be precise - ahead of it's move to a new home in Cardiff in the summer. A number of additional events have been planned in order to "celebrate" the Experience's time in London:

Enjoy a calendar of events this February half term at the Doctor Who Experience.

• Come face-to-face with a Cyberman an Ood and a Judoon
• Learn how to ‘Walk Like A Monster’ with Doctor Who Choreographer Ailsa Berk
• Transform into a monster with professional Doctor Who makeup technicians
• Learn how to draw, design and sculpt a real Doctor Who monster

The Doctor Who Experience is preparing for its final week in London this February half term, and to make sure it goes out with a bang, a whole host of additional activities are planned to thrill visitors for the last time in London, before the exhibition moves to Cardiff in the summer.

Saturday 11th February sees the return of Doctor Who choreographer Ailsa Berk who will be giving visitors a chance to perfect their monster moves with special lessons on how to walk like a Judoon Trooper or a Cyberman.

Monday 13th February, the team from Millennium FX share their behind-the-scenes knowledge on the inspiration behind some of the show’s iconic characters, with live design and sculpt demonstrations, as well as drawing demonstrations on the 17th February.

Wednesday 15th February, visitors have the rare opportunity to come face-to-face with the Doctor’s terrifying adversaries, the Cybermen and the telepathic Ood.

Thursday 16th February you can become your favourite monster, as Doctor Who makeup technicians will be ready to transform you into your choice of a Silurian, Cyberman, Clockwork Droid or Weeping Angel.

The show comes to a close on Wednesday 22nd February where fans get the chance to bid a final farewell to the Doctor and some of the most recent monsters from the series, before its big move to Cardiff. So if you want to have Ood-les of fun this February half term, visit the Doctor Who Experience at London’s Olympia by the 22nd!

The Doctor Who Experience allows visitors to join the Doctor on a journey through time and space, encountering some of the best-loved and scariest monsters from the hit international, television series. Special scenes filmed with current Doctor, Matt Smith, combine with amazing special effects and the chance to enter a recreation of the modern TARDIS interior topped off by a breathtaking 3-D finale.

Well worth a visit before it closes!

Arthur Darvill in BBC Radio 4's "Gullivers Travels"

Arthur Darvill is to star in a new dramatisation of "Gullivers Travels" on BBC Radio 4. The three part series starts on Sunday 5 February 2012 from 3pm - 4pm on BBC Radio 4. The full press release reads:

The Classic Serial features Jonathon Swift's classic satire in a new dramatisation starring Arthur Darvill (who plays Rory Williams in Dr Who) and features all four of Gulliver's epic voyages to lands unknown.

Gulliver's exploits in Lilliput have been told many times, but less well-known are his adventures in the other lands.

Brobdingnag, where as a miniature man Gulliver must fight for survival against rats the size of dogs and a dwarf who is 40 foot high. And then onto Laputa and Glubbdubdrib, where Gulliver encounters mad scientists and the ghosts of the great and good. Finally, he lands at The Land of the Houyhnhnms, governed by intelligent and gentle horses, where humans - the Yahoos - are vermin.

Gulliver's Travels is adapted for radio by Matthew Broughton. Other members of the company are Matthew Gravelle, Sam Dale, Bethan Walker, Judith Faultless, Richard Nichols, Chris Pavlo, Claire Cage, Lynne Seymour, Gareth Pierce, Ewan Bailey and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

Producer/Sam Hoyle for the BBC

Alex Kingston on "The Graham Norton Show" - Friday 3 February 2012

According to multiple sources on twitter and tumblr, including A_KingstonFans, Alex Kingston will be a guest on "The Graham Norton Show" on Friday 3 February 2012 on BBC1 at 10.35pm.

As Matt Smith and Karen Gillan have recently been on the show, it seems we only need Arthur Darvill to be a guest in order to compete the "tetralogy" or "quadrilogy" - whatever your preference happens to be.

Video - Another Interview with Matt from the NTA's

This time it's from the Showbiz 411:

Season 6 Soundtrack Competition Winner Announced

Congratulations to Richard Parsons from Florida, USA who was drawn from the rather large number of entries.

Thanks to all who entered - and a new competition will be up shortly. Next time you can win a DVD of "The Doctor, The Widow and The Wardrobe".

Video - Matt Smith Backstage at NTA's

Digital Spy have uploaded a short video of Matt being interviewed backstage at the NTA's. He does quite clearly say he has "no plans to leave. I've got a year of Who then I'll take it from there really":

SFX Weekender - Alex Kingston No Longer Able to Attend

Whilst announcing that Anthony Head and Colin Baker would be attending SFX Weekender on 3 and 4 February 2012, SFX also announced that, due to work commitments, Alex Kingston would no longer be able to attend:

This announcement is also slightly bittersweet, because we we’re very sad to have to report that Alex Kingston, aka Doctor Who’s River Song, has been forced to pull out due to shifting production dates changing her commitments on Upstairs, Downstairs.

To read the full article, click here

Matt's NTA Comments - Clarification from DWM

Twitter and tumblr practically went into meltdown this evening after the BBC Entertainment Team tweeted that Matt had said in the NTA press room that he had "no plans to leave Doctor Who" whilst the Radio Times tweeted that he had "one more year of Who" and that "Hollywood beckoned".

DWMTweets however, appear to have clarified things somewhat:

"We're being asked about Matt Smith. He has said he has "no plans to leave Doctor Who." He begins shooting the new series next month."

"Re Matt Smith's direct quote: "I have one more year of Who." That doesn't mean he is leaving afterwards. He says he has "no plans to leave."

"Matt has always said that he takes one year at a time. Anyway! Congrats once again to Matt and Karen, hope they enjoy their night!"

So, there you go. His "one more year" comment is perfectly correct and logical - his contract is for one more year - and that doesn't mean he won't sign another afterwards.

Of course, there are rumours that Season 7 and 8 will be filmed back to back - hence the "long" production this year. If that's correct, then once filming is finished, there will probably be at least a season (if not more) in the can ready to be transmitted at the BBC's leisure. That leaves Matt a fair bit of free time - I'm guessing there will be quite a break before Season 9 starts filming - so it's perfectly understandable for Matt to go off and do other things.

Video - Matt Smith and Karen Gillan win National Television Awards

Congratulations to Matt Smith and Karen Gillan who won "Best Drama Performance - Male" and "Best Drama Performance - Female" respectively at the National Television Awards tonight. Below, courtesy of doctorwhotv.co.uk are clips of them winning, together with their acceptance speeches:

Karen Gillan:



Matt Smith:



"Doctor Who" unsurprisingly lost out to "Downton Abbey" in the "Best Drama" category.

"The Eternity Clock" - New Trailer, Artwork and Blog

Above is the new artwork for the "Eternity Clock" game, courtesy of Simon Harris, Executive Producer of BBC Worldwide. He reveals in his blog - Creating Monsters for Doctor Who: The Eternity Clock how they decided upon lineup etc and how to create the monsters themselves.

Here's the new Monster gameplay trailer:



Looks good! Can't wait to get my hands on this.

Official Doctor Who Convention - Free TARDIS Set Tour for Attendees

Here's a nice little freebie for those going to the Official Doctor Who Convention in Cardiff in March. For the next 48 hours, Convention Attendees will be able to book a FREE Tardis Set Tour at Upper Boat Studios. The press release reads:

Doctor Who Convention attendees now have a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit the TARDIS set at the BBC Wales studios at Upper Boat. These free tours will run on Saturday 24th March, Sunday 25th March and Monday 26th March 2012.

On the tour, visitors can step into the Eleventh Doctor's TARDIS and explore the set where some of the show's iconic scenes have been shot. The behind-the-scenes team will be on hand to explain the inner workings of the TARDIS, talk about the set and of course to answer any questions.

Please note:
This tour is available to Doctor Who Convention ticket holders ONLY.
For the next 48 hours this tour is exclusively available to current Doctor Who Convention ticket holders.
Spaces are strictly limited and are subject to availability.
Please allow approximately 2 hours 20 minutes for this activity. This includes journey time to and from the studio. Please note you will only be on the TARDIS set for a maximum of 30 minutes during this time.
Tours can be booked for any day, irrespective of the purchased Doctor Who Convention ticket date.


TARDIS Tour times - click here to see schedule

Once you have booked your TARDIS Tour, you will be issued with a separate ticket from your Convention ticket. You will need to bring this ticket with you and show it to the steward before you board the coach. Failure to supply your ticket on the day will mean that you are not eligible to go on the tour.

Special access requirements:
This is a working set - to make sure we have the best arrangements in place, visitors with special access requirements need to contact us before booking their tour. Please contact our customer service team on 0844 583 7777 in advance of booking.

Please note - this is currently ONLY available to those attending the Official Doctor Who Convention. To book tickets to the Convention please visit: Doctor Who Convention

"Magic of the Angels" - Advanced Signed Copy - 24 Hour Auction

A pre-publication copy of "Magic of the Angels" is being auctioned on ebay by author Jacqueline Raynor in aid of "Let's Do it for ME!"

As the author states on ebay:

Auctioning to raise money for Let's Do It For ME! (http://letsdoitforme.blogspot.com/). This book is due for release on 2nd February, but you are bidding for one of the author's own advance copies. One-day listing to enable it to reach the buyer as much before the release date as possible. Can be signed by the author to a name of your choice.

If the bidding gets high enough, I'll try to find a few souvenirs from my days in the BBC Doctor Who office to throw in for the winner.

Definitely worth a punt - you can bid at ebay.co.uk

Video - "The Sensorites" - Trailer and "First Look" Extras

With the release of "The Sensorites" on dvd today - and the dvd can be ordered from amazon.co.uk for £12.99 - the BBC have released some "first look extras" that appear on the DVD.

First up, courtesy of uncled39 here's the trailer for "The Sensorites" that appears on "The UNIT Files" dvd:



Here are the part 1 and 2 sneak previews of the "Looking for Peter" extra where Toby Hadoke attempts to find out more about writer Peter R Newman:





"The Sensorites" is available on dvd from today - and can be ordered from amazon.co.uk for £12.99

11th Doctor Collector Figure - Expansion Packs Announced

More updates from Big Chief Studios regarding the new 11th Doctor Collector figure (see Collector Figure), this time they're announcing some new "expansion packs":

There’s big news for fans of all things small, well 1:6 scale to be precise. We are proud to announce a range of Expansion Packs to compliment our 1:6 scale Collector figures. Designed for fans to either customise one of our figures that they have already purchased, or to build-up an additional version of a particular character.

Available exclusively at www.bigchiefstudios.co.uk, both Accessory and Costume Expansion Packs will be sold separately. In addition we will also release our articulated bodies for collectors to purchase, so that they may create an entirely new version of a character.

As fans of 1:6 scale figures ourselves, we understand that collecting high-end figures, can be a costly hobby. In today’s economic climate we are all too aware how difficult it can be for collectors to be able to purchase each and every product in a range. As a business maximising on our investment is of course important to us, but we would rather spend our design budget developing a completely new character than simply releasing a slightly modified version of a character we have previously released.

There are so many costumes for each of the Doctors themselves, and we know that every fan has a particular favourite. However, it is simply not viable to bring each and every version to market. Together with an enormous cast of characters, aliens and monsters just waiting to be developed, we believe that the Expansion Packs will offer collectors a more affordable route to creating the figure that they want to display.

Starting with Expansion Packs for the Eleventh Doctor we have exciting plans for the range. The first Expansion Packs due for release later this year include:

“The Almost People” Costume Expansion Pack
1 x Tweed Jacket
1 x Blue Shirt
1 x Blue Bow Tie
1 x Pair of Boots (St. John’s Mining Facility)

“The Almost People” Accessory Expansion Pack
1 x Eleventh Doctor “Ganger” Portrait Head
1 x Sonic Screwdriver (Open)
1 x Torch
1 x Flesh Puddle with Face

“Closing Time” Costume Expansion Pack
1 x Green Three Quarter Length Overcoat
1 x Pair of Trousers with Blue Braces
1 x Pair of Boots

“Closing Time” Accessory Expansion Pack
1 x Eleventh Doctor Portrait with Stetson Hat
2 x Cybermats: 1 x Search Mode & 1 x Attack Mode
1 x Sonic Screwdriver (Closed)
1 x Toy Store Name Badge

Stay tuned for more details to follow soon.

Oh and before you ask, the fez will make it into the range too. Fezes are cool!

Video - Matt Smith interviewed on ABC One Plus One

Thanks to doctorwhotv.co.uk, here is Matt Smith being interviewed on Australia's news show "One Plus One". Matt talks about the missing episodes, legacy of the role, possible filming in Australia, his future and a lot more:

"The Eternity Clock" Game - First Images

The Twitter feed for the new "Eternity Clock" game have released three images from the game. They look good - in fact, they look like more advanced versions of the free downloadable games from the BBC:

"The Daemons" DVD Signing

With the forthcoming release of "The Daemons" on DVD, The Who Shop have announced a DVD signing.

The signing will take place at The Who Shop (39 Barking Road, Upton Park, London) on Saturday 31 March 2012. No time has been set yet and the current guests are Damaris Hayman (Miss Hawthorne) and Stephen Thorne (Azal).

There will be more to come on this signing - possibly more guests - so watch this space.

11th Doctor Collector Figure - Delayed

Further to our original post detailing the new 11th Doctor Collector figure (see Collector Figure), Big Chief Studios have announced a delay in shipping the Collector Figure:

We have received a number of requests for an update for the release date of our forthcoming Eleventh Doctor figure. We understand how keen you all are to finally own your very own Doctor and believe us we are desperate to deliver them to you all.

However, despite our best efforts and due to circumstances beyond our control, we have to regretfully inform you that the shipping date has been delayed until the end of April.

The delay has largely been due to problems with our original vendor, in whom we have invested heavily. As a licensee we are bound by the BBCs ethical code of conduct, which any vendor must agree to abide by. Unfortunately there were issues with our original vendor which they failed to work toward to resolve.

Given the urgency of the situation we travelled to China at the end of November last year to meet with an alternate vendor. We are happy to report that our new vendors are a fantastic company with extensive experience in the high-end collectors 1:6 scale field. Production is now underway and they are working hard to catch up and if possible improve upon the April shipping date.

On a positive note we are pleased to announce that our Amy Pond 1:6 Scale Collector Figure will be available at the same time as the Eleventh Doctor. The full product reveal will be posted on our website www.bigchiefstudios.co.uk very soon, so stay tuned.

Our customers are very important to us, we appreciate that many of you will be disappointed. So by way of a small apology we will be including an additional accessory with both the Eleventh Doctor and Amy Pond figures.

The Eleventh Doctor will now also come with the Tenth Doctor’s Sonic Screwdriver as seen in the very first episode of series 5 “The Eleventh Hour”.

Amy Pond will now also come with the Raggedy TARDIS to accompany Raggedy Amy as seen in the very first episode of series 5 “The Eleventh Hour”.

Once again we can only apologise for the delay and hope that you can see that we are doing our very best to ensure that there are no further delays and to deliver your figures as quickly as possible.

One thing is certain though - the figure definitely looks worth the wait.

For further details of the figure, including how to order, see our original post: Collector Figure

Video - Matt Smith introduces "Script to Screen 2012"

The BBC have released a video of Matt Smith introducing the new "Script to Screen" competition:

The Return of "Script to Screen"

The cancellation of "Doctor Who Confidential" hasn't affected the rather unique "script to screen" competition. The BBC made the following announcement today on the Official Doctor Who Site:

Script to Screen is back... And this time, if you're aged 9-11 years old you can write an adventure for the Doctor set anywhere in time and space!

The new competition will be launched by the Doctor himself on Blue Peter on CBBC, Thursday, January 12 at 5.45pm. The challenge is simple. Schoolchildren aged 9-11 should write a mini-episode that features the Doctor in an Olympic-themed adventure. Amy and Rory can be included in the script alongside one of four familiar alien species plus a brand new human character.

You can find out much more about the new Script to Screen on Thursday's Blue Peter, but it's been confirmed that once again, the winning script will be produced by the Doctor Who team and broadcast on the BBC. The winners will meet the stars of the show, visit the set and see their mini-episode being shot.

Script to Screen invites UK primary schools to submit one entry each to the competition and a BBC Learning website is available to give master classes in how to write. Learning resources were downloaded 300,000 times during the 7 weeks the competition was open last year and more than 1000 schools submitted an entry.

Following the 2011 competition a survey found that 96% of teachers believed it was an excellent tool for teaching literacy and writing skills. Steven Moffat, Doctor Who's lead writer and executive producer, reflected, 'I come from a family of teachers, I was a teacher, my father's a teacher, my sister's a teacher. We go back teacher generations so it's hard wired for me to want the approval of teachers so I'm very, very thrilled that its gone down so well with the schools that took part.'

Caroline Skinner, executive producer of Doctor Who, looked forward to the return of Script to Screen and commented, 'It's so exciting to be able to challenge young writers in this way. Doctor Who is such an amazing show to work on. It really sets the imaginations of viewers alight, and it's a thrilling prospect to see where young members of our audience would like to see the Doctor go this time!'

All entries for this year's Script to Screen must be submitted by midnight on Friday, March 16, 2012. To find out more about the competition, watch Blue Peter on CBBC, 5.45pm and you can visit the BBC Learning site to investigate the videos and resources created to help develop writing skills that are out of this world!

Please note terms and conditions apply - find out more at BBC Learning.

Keep your eyes open for the official announcement on Blue Peter tomorrow at 5.45pm.

New Competition!

Our 2nd competition or "giveaway" gives you the chance to win a copy of the Season 6 Soundtrack by Murray Gold.

The original music from Doctor Who Series 6. Murray Gold's amazing music for Doctor Who goes from strength to strength. The seventh Doctor Who release of Murray Gold's exhilarating music looks sets to follow in the footsteps of its predecessors which have scored outstanding sales and chart positions including three of the titles featuring in the top 75 UK Album Chart. Murray Gold's musical career spans , cinema, TV, stage and radio and his extensive list of achievements includes Queer As Folk, Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased), Casanova, Alien Autopsy, The Devil's Whore, Shameless and Torchwood. Six years of composing music for Doctor Who has led to his work being performed at a special Proms concert at the Royal Albert Hall, a celebration of the music at the Millennium Centre Cardiff and a place in the Classic FM Hall Of Fame.

We have one copy of this to giveaway and this time the competition is open to everyone - no geographical restrictions this time - and also no question to answer.

Please see the Competition link at the top of the blog for the rules and full details on how to enter.

Good luck!

Competition 2

COMPETITION NOW CLOSED - WINNER = RICHARD PARSONS FROM FLORIDA, USA. CONGRATULATIONS RICHARD!

Our 2nd competition or "giveaway" gives you the chance to win a copy of the Season 6 Soundtrack by Murray Gold.

The original music from Doctor Who Series 6. Murray Gold's amazing music for Doctor Who goes from strength to strength. The seventh Doctor Who release of Murray Gold's exhilarating music looks sets to follow in the footsteps of its predecessors which have scored outstanding sales and chart positions including three of the titles featuring in the top 75 UK Album Chart. Murray Gold's musical career spans , cinema, TV, stage and radio and his extensive list of achievements includes Queer As Folk, Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased), Casanova, Alien Autopsy, The Devil's Whore, Shameless and Torchwood. Six years of composing music for Doctor Who has led to his work being performed at a special Proms concert at the Royal Albert Hall, a celebration of the music at the Millennium Centre Cardiff and a place in the Classic FM Hall Of Fame.

We have one copy of this to giveaway and this time the competition is open to everyone - no geographical restrictions this time - and also no question to answer.

THE RULES

1. The competition is open to everyone. Multiple entries from the same address are not allowed - and those entries will be disqualified.

2. Simply email me with your name, town and country - winner will be contacted by email to supply full address details.

3. This is a UK release CD and is not being provided by any outside agency or promoter. The CD has already been purchased by ourselves and is still sealed. It will be despatched to the winner after the competition closing date.

4. The competition will end at midnight UK time on Wednesday 25 January 2012 and, a draw will take place on Thursday 26 January 2012 and the winner notified by email. The winner's first name and home town will be published on the website and the prize despatched to them on Friday 27 January 2012. The editor's decision on the identity of the winner is final.

5. All entries, names and particulars of entrants will be destroyed after the competition has concluded.


TO ENTER

No question to answer this time - simply Email me - whonatic@gmail.com with your full name, town and country before midnight on Wednesday 25 January 2012.

Good luck!

For details of our previous - now closed - competition then please see:

Competition One - Limited Edition Season 6 DVD Boxset

Karen Gillan on "The Graham Norton Show" tonight

A heads up reminder that Karen Gillan will appear on "The Graham Norton Show" tonight at 10.35pm on BBC1.

Karen will join Gerard Butler, Martin Freeman and Noel Gallagher.

Updated Christmas Ratings

As tweeted by The Moff this morning (https://twitter.com/#!/steven_moffat) - and, let's face it, he would know - the "Live + 7" figure for "The Doctor, The Widow and The Wardrobe" is 12.88million. This makes "Doctor Who" the BBC's winner for Christmas Day.

"Live + 7" is the figure that includes iplayer (within the first week) and the repeats on BBC1 and BBC3. Basically, everyone who watched the show within the first week including original transmission.

If anyone can let me know if the "Live + 7" figure is available somewhere to the public then it would be greatly appreciated!

Matt Smith on Radio 1 - Wednesday 4 January 2012

According to the Official Doctor Who Site Matt Smith will be joining Zane Lowe on BBC Radio 1 tomorrow from 9am. Here's the release from the BBC:

History has given the world some epic rematches between legends like Ali and Frazier, and Borg and McEnroe. But dwarfing these icons we have the real deal tomorrow: the rematch between Zane Lowe and the Doctor himself - Matt Smith!

All this week, Zane is standing in for Chris Moyles on BBC Radio 1's Breakfast Show and tomorrow (Wednesday) Matt will be the star guest. He'll be pitted against Zane as they try to come up with songs for different categories. Listeners may recall the two have faced each other before in this contest, with Matt emerging victorious! You can view photos of their first battle here!

So, to catch the fun, tune in to BBC Radio 1 from 9am tomorrow. You can listen and get more details here.

Of course, we can't demonstrate any bias and have to be even-handed with both competitors... But, come on, Matt!

Final BARB Ratings for Christmas Week

"The Doctor, The Widow and The Wardrobe" came in third overall with 10.77million behind "Downton Abbey" with 11.60million and "Eastenders" with 11.33million.

These figures do NOT include iplayer viewings and show an awful lot of timeshifting going on for all programmes. Overnight figures are just not that important anymore - "Doctor Who" and "Eastenders" increased by about 2million each whereas "Downton Abbey" had over 3million more viewers than overnights.

Another point is that "Doctor Who" always scores very highly on iplayer viewings - but unfortunately these are never taken into account. You can generally add at least a million more if you look at iplayer viewings - if you can delve deeply enough on the BBC website to eventually find them.

The full top ten is:

Downton Abbey - 11.60m
Eastenders - 11.33m
Doctor Who - 10.77m
Coronation Street - 10.51m
Absolutely Fabulous - 9.07m
Strictly Come Dancing - 8.50m
Michael McIntyre's Christmas Comedy Roadshow - 8.09m
The Gruffalo's Child - 7.64m
Emmerdale - 7.11m
Family Fortunes - 6.36m

NTA Shortlist Voting Now Open

You can now vote again for "Doctor Who", Matt and Karen to win an NTA. Voting closes at midday on 25 January 2012 when the new votes will be added to the votes from the previous stage.

VOTE NOW

"Doctor Who", Matt Smith and Karen Gillan shortlisted at NTA's

The National Television Awards take place at the O2 Arena on 25th January 2012 and "Doctor Who", Matt Smith and Karen Gillan have all been shortlisted in various categories.

"Doctor Who" is up for Best Drama and will battle against "Downton Abbey", "Merlin" and "Waterloo Road".

Matt Smith will face Martin Clunes, David Threlfall and John Barrowman in the "Best Drama Actor" category whilst Karen Gillan is shortlisted in the "Best Drama Actress" category against Eve Myles, Jay Jacobs and, rather wonderfully, Suranne Jones (nominated for "Scott & Bailey" not "Doctor Who").

Best of luck to the show, Matt and Karen.

Clip of Matt Smith in "Bert and Dickie"

Courtesy of Blogtor Who who managed to track down this video of the new BBC Olympic 2012 trailer which features a brief clip of "Bert and Dickie" - the clip starts at the 24 second mark:

"UNIT Files" DVD Signing

Richard Franklin and Peter Miles will be at The Who Shop on Monday 2 January 2012 between 12 and 2pm signing the "UNIT Files" DVD pack sleeve.

Pre-orders are taken - and due to the fact that the DVD itself is not officially released until 9 January 2012, the DVD Packs will be signed and sent along later.

You can contact the Who Shop either by their website - Who Shop or by phone on 0208 471 2356. The Who Shop is based at 39-41 Barking Road, Upton Park, London E6 1PY