One of Doctor Who's oldest mysteries has today been answered! Some of you may or not know that Elisabeth Sladen wasn't the first choice to play Sarah Jane, and she actually replaced the original actress very near to filming starting on Doctor Who's eleventh series.
For many years, it's been a mystery who this woman was, but it has finally been revealed to have been April Walker. Her name was discovered when David Brunt was checking the BBC files for the Production Notes of the DVD release of Invasion of the Dinosaurs and found her name on an old memo.
The story goes that Barry Letts was looking for a replacement for Katy Manning, who was leaving the series, when Lets met April Walker. She soon after signed contracts to become the new companion, but it soon appeared it wasn't going to work out as Jon Pertwee thought they had no chemistry together (and he apparently said she was 'too tall', 'too busty' and 'too dominant').
Barry Letts then found Elisabeth Sladen and the rest is history. Jon Pertwee gave him his thumbs up, and she became the most popular companion in the history of the show. There are so many 'what-ifs' surrounding this story. What if April Walker became Sarah Jane? What would she have been like? Would she have had a similar impact? Would she still be so relevant today? Most likely not...
April Walker never broke through after Doctor Who, and instead have small roles in several shows such as Faulty Towers, Two Ronnies, Morecambe & Wise Show and Waking The Dead.
Watch the video below (skip to 4.40) to see April Walker playing the character of Jean from a 1975 episode of Fawlty Towers - The Wedding Party
After a recent interview with End of Show, John Barrowman revealed that he thinks a Torchwood Big Screen movie is the next progression for the show.
“What I would like is Jack Harkness on the big screen. After four seasons I think that is our next progression. I’d get my production company involved in it, I’d get Russell and Julie involved in it, and I think it would look phenomenal on the big screen.”
Following the press launch of Let’s Kill Hitler, various sources are claiming that Billie Piper, Freema Agyeman and Catherine Tate will all reprise their roles for a quick cameo where Rose, Martha and Donna will help the 11th Doctor.
A show source said: “They don’t have a big part to play, but fans will love to see them return and they are trying to help Matt in an hour of need.”
“It is a humorous scene and it opens the door to any of them if they wanted to come back and do some more filming in the future.”
Take this news with a pinch of salt however, as the main report for this comes from the Daily Mail, who tend to exaggerate and generate false rumours.
Would you like these 3 companions to return for a cameo? We’ll find out if they actually do next Saturday when Doctor Who returns! Meanwhile check out a newly released episode still from the launch episode below:
What are the chances of two women buying identical broaches? Throw in different time zones etc. and it moves to extremely unlikely, so this is either the BBC costume department messing up, or could we have seen an old River Song? Or if she is a Time Lord as some people think, a regenerated one?
Gaving & Stacey actor James Corden who played Craig Owens in Doctor Who series 5 episode 11 “The Lodger”, will apparently be returning to the role for episode 12 of series 6 later this year, according to What’s On TV. The report suggests he will be filming in the second week of March for Autumn broadcast on BBC One and BBC HD in the second part of series 6.
According to The Sun newspaper, companion Amy Pond will die in a devastating cliffhanger at the end of part 1 of series 6, and will leave viewers “needing the summer to recover". Steven Moffat said that the Doctor and Amy will face a “game-changing” moment. “It's a huge event. It's a good one. I know word-for-word what the cliffhanger is”, Steven Moffat revealed.
Please note that this is only a rumour so please take it with a pinch of salt, after all, the reporters are The Sun, who tend to get a few things wrong when it comes to Doctor Who. What are your thoughts on this rumour?
According to The Daily Star, the Doctor, Amy and Rory will come across a flying alien Shark, in the Christmas special this year. The article reports:
“An unsuspecting Doctor is taken by surprise when he comes across the monster shark. Thinking it's “just” a deadly great white shark, he's thrown into turmoil when the beast takes off out of the water and flies into the sky. A show source revealed: "Even the Doc gets a fright. He wasn't expecting it to fly." Well, you wouldn't, would you?”
The Daily Star’s reports are not always completely true, so take this with a pinch of salt! What do you think of the idea? Tell us below!
03 July, 2010 by KidWithTheSpecs.blogspot.comRumours
Series 5 of Doctor Who may have only just finished, but the rumours for Series 6 are already pouring in. The Daily Star has reported that Eric Cantona, the French footballer, turned actor, is to play an 'evil alien' in next years series of Doctor Who.
This choice was aparantly suggested by Matt Smith himself! An Insider aparantly told The Daily Star:
“Matt has made a huge impression. The writers and producers all value his input and give his ideas careful consideration. They like the thought of a French baddie and Eric would be perfect. He’s got acting experience and has charisma.”
The Daily Star are reporting that the BBC want pop sensation Lady Gaga to appear as a guest in Doctor Who. However these rumours have been started by a quote from Gareth Roberts in Doctor Who Magazine, where he joked about the idea, but what he said was most likely taken out of context by the tabloid. Would you like Lady Gaga to appear in Doctor Who? Comment Below!
Famous British actress Joanna Page who starred in Gavin and Stacey and the film Love Actually is going to appear in 2 episodes of Doctor Who, according to The Daily Star. She will apparently be playing a long lost relative of the Doctor, which sparks some rumours that she could be playing the Doctor’s grand daughter Susan. See The Daily Star’s article HERE.
Update 19/5: Joanna has denied the rumours, she said: “It’s not true. A friend was telling me about that. I was like ‘I wish it was true’. I think I’ve got to be the only Welsh actress who has never been in Doctor Who so if someone would like me to be in Doctor Who I’d love to have a part.”
The Daily Express is claiming that the Fourth Doctor will be making a return along with Sarah Jane Smith, in series six of Doctor Who, coming next year.
Programme insiders say discussions have taken place about bringing back the flamboyant Baker, 75, for a cameo appearance next year with new Time Lord Matt Smith. Baker’s return could see him re-united with Elisabeth Sladen who played his sidekick Sarah Jane Smith in the Seventies. A BBC mole said: “As it’s Doctor Who, his return all these years on could be explained in all manner of ways.”
Would you like the Fourth Doctor to return? Comment Below!
The Daily Star have an article which tells the storyline of the episode of Doctor Who series 5 which is currently filming. Look away now if you don’t want it spoiled. In the episode the Doctor forgets to set the Tardis co-ordinates and it vanishes with Amy still inside. He has to live a normal life until the Tardis returns. The Doctor will become flatmates with a character played by James Cordon, they will drink, play football (The Doctor wears a number 11 football shirt), and do other things. The Doctor will impress his new friend by adjusting the TV set to broadcast shows from the future. An insider said: “It’s going to be the funniest episode of the new series”. The episode will apparently be titled; “The Lodger”, and will air in Spring on BBC One and BBC HD.
Earlier this year Blue Peter held a competition for a fan to design a new Tardis using household items, and the Doctor was filmed collecting junk for this episode, so perhaps he will use that junk to try make a new Tardis?
The Sun newspaper are reporting that “Gavin and Stacey” actor James Cordon will feature in an episode of the new series of Doctor Who. The article says that the actor was recently spotted on a train to Cardiff reading over his scripts for the episode. An insider said; “We normally keep our guest stars under wraps but you can’t hide a bloke like James, and now he’s not coming to Wales for Gavin And Stacey any more, it’s pretty obvious why he is here. He’s a great actor and he’ll be a perfect fit for the new Doctor Who.” This isn’t confirmed so take the news with a pinch of salt.
The ol’ rumours about a Doctor Who big screen movie have come back again, after being previously crushed by Russell T Davies and David Tennant. In an interview on BBC Radio One, Billie Piper claims that the movie is happening. Apparently David Tennant and Billie are wanted to be in the production. Hear the snippet from the interview on Blogtor Who HERE.
The Mirror are claiming that The X Factor judge and “Fight For This Love” singer Cheryl Cole will be a guest star in the fifth series of Doctor Who next year. She is apparently yet to sign a deal with the show but could play a big part.
An insider said: "If she can find the time, a part will be written for her.
Then later a BBC Spokesperson said: "The BBC will not be commenting on casting or storyline speculation for the new series of Doctor Who."
This news story is only a rumour and should be taken with a pinch of salt. Doctor Who series five is filming and goes out early next year.
A couples of days ago a new trailer for The Waters of Mars was released by the BBC, and many blogs and websites are reporting that at one point in the trailer you can see a glimpse of a woman who seems to be holding a baby. This woman is thought to be Rose Tyler holding her baby brother Tony Tyler. A man also seems to be sitting on a chair near Rose and that man is thought to be the meta-crisis Doctor from Journeys End, who is now living in the parallel universe with Rose. You can see two images taken from the trailer below, thanks to the popular blog Life Doctor Who and Combom.
It should be noted that at the moment it is not confirmed that Rose will be returning in The Waters of Mars, but we do know that she will be appearing with her mum Jackie Tyler in the final two specials which sees the regeneration of the 10th Doctor thanks to some filming pictures which can be seen on this website here. The Waters of Mars will air on BBC One in November this year and it stars David Tennant and Lindsay Duncan.
My Park Magazine are reporting that the Daleks will appear in the first episode of Doctor Who series five which is the first episode that see's Matt Smith starring as the 11th Doctor. An apparent BBC Insider said: "They know fans will take a while to get used to Matt as the Doctor, so it makes sense to have him fight his most famous enemies. They always bring good ratings." The report also claims that their will be a new Tardis interior and that the BBC plan to "step back in time" when designing the Tardis for the new series and they will design it with blue walls and white windows like the original 1960s Tardis. Please note that at the moment these are only rumours which may turn out to be either true or false.