Which Doctor? Christopher Eccleston

Former Doctor Who star Christopher Eccleston turned down the chance to star in the 50th anniversary episode of the long-running sci-fi show.

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The eleventh doctor played by Matt Smith and Karen Gillan as his companion Amy Pond

BBC commissions original dramas specifically for digital platform iPlayer

BBC bosses have commissioned their first original dramas specifically for catch-up service iPlayer.

Bernard Horsfall

Bernard Horsfall: Actor best known in 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' and 'Dr Who'

He played one of the Time Lords at Dr Who's trial, exiling him to earth and forcing him to regenerate

Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman speed down the Shard on a motorbike in the first episode of the new series of Doctor Who.

Doctor Who smashes through the Shard to introduce the Spoonheads and Ice Warriors

The Shard might have only transformed London's skyline  last year, and its viewing platform only opened to the public a fortnight ago, but it has already been featured (and shattered, in fact) in an episode of Doctor Who.

Doctor Who 50th birthday coin

Doctor Who's 50th birthday to be marked with commemorative coin

Doctor Who's 50th anniversary is to be celebrated with the issue of a commemorative coin in New Zealand.

The Saturday Quiz

1. Edna O'Brien, Teddy Taylor, Michael Foot and Derek Worlock on 25 September, 1979. The first what?

First night: The Effect; Cottesloe Theatre, London

Mind games are a smart move for the Enron team

Heads up: The team behind 'Call Girl' embark on a 'clinical romance'

What are we talking about? A new play from Headlong theatre company, at the National Theatre, promising to be a funny and moving "theatrical exploration into the human brain via the heart".

Observations: How to drive a Dalek

Barnaby Edwards is the closest you’ll ever get to meeting a Dalek. A principal operator since 2005, he’s the guy sitting inside the Dalek – bringing the Doctor’s most feared opponents to life.

Actor Richard E Grant was also among the invitees

Page 3 Profile: Richard E Grant, actor

A Withnail and I sequel on the cards? It was the lead role in the 1987 classic that put Grant, then a jobbing thespian, on the map. There are no plans to revive the alcoholic Withnail character, but Grant will star later this year in a Doctor Who Christmas special. It is believed he'll play the villain. It's not the first time he's been involved in the show. He played the Doctor in 2003 online animated series Scream of the Shalka, and starred as the unofficial "Tenth Doctor" in a 1966 Comic Relief sketch.

Actor Richard E Grant was also among the invitees

Richard E Grant to play Doctor Who baddie

Withnail and I star Richard E Grant will play a fiendishly festive baddie in this year's Doctor Who Christmas special.

Tamzin Outhwaite gives birth to second baby

Former EastEnders star Tamzin Outhwaite has given birth to a baby girl.

Moffat dismisses Doctor Who film rumours

Doctor Who boss Steven Moffat has said there is no movie about the Time Lord on the cards - and dismissed suggestions of a film as a "weird fantasy".

Observations: All change for Doctor Who as he whizzes into the Wild West

I am sitting opposite the biggest name in British television at the Doctor Who Convention in Cardiff.

Scientists make 'sonic screwdriver'

A team of scientists has taken inspiration from Doctor Who and created their own "sonic screwdriver" that could be used in complex surgeries.

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Johnny Marr talks relationships and reunions

He's worked with Modest Mouse, the Pet Shop Boys and Beck, to name a few, and recently released his first solo album. So why, wonders Johnny Marr, do people still hark on about The Smiths?
After the flood: From Haiti to Britain, one man has captured the devastation of our increasingly deluged lands

In pictures: After the flood

From Haiti to Britain, one man has captured the devastation of our increasingly deluged lands
Death becomes her: Meet the very modern mortician who champions 'cool' funerals

Death becomes her: A very modern mortician

Ever considered baking a loved one's remains into a cake or putting their ashes in fireworks? If so, talk to Caitlin Doughty, champion of the alternative death industry.
How long can the 'Keep Calm' trend carry on?

How long can the 'Keep Calm' trend carry on?

At first it seemed clever and cute. Then the 'Keep Calm' motif went mad, spawning endless offshoots.
The man who built Brum: A lament for the demise of John Madin's Brutalist Birmingham

John Madin: The man who built Brum

The architect's buildings were supposed to leave an indelible, futuristic mark on his beloved hometown but they are now being inexorably torn down.
School of chop: Learning the art of butchery at the Ginger Pig

School of chop: Learning the art of butchery

How do you butcher a lamb? Or make Mexican street food in a British kitchen? Christopher Hirst finds out.
James Pembroke: The man who's eaten everywhere

The man who's eaten everywhere

Few people know more about restaurants than James Pembroke, who only spent five mealtimes at home during his entire childhood.
A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?

A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?

The young JFK praised 'superior' Nordic races during visits to Germany
Banned Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof to attend Cannes Film Festival 2013, his first public appearance since prison

Banned Iranian director to attend Cannes Film Festival

Mohammad Rasoulof to make his first public appearance since being imprisoned three years ago
Seeing the larger picture: Inspiring images of space

Seeing the larger picture: Inspiring images of space

An exhibition explores images how photography has shaped astronomy
Eat Spam and carry on: Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating

Eat Spam and carry on

Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating
Facial hair: Cat beards and the purrrsuit of excellence

Facial hair

Cat beards and the purrrsuit of excellence
The 10 Best salt and pepper sets

The 10 Best salt and pepper sets

Whether they're for everyday use or to make your dining table look just right, it's worth getting a stylish shaker...
Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed

Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed

Chief executive says trophies will come if a 'core' of suitable players is in place
Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again

Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again

The Bayern Munich forward tells Tim Rich his side have to shed chokers' tag after two recent final defeats