Doctor Who has dominated the BAFTA Cymru Awards for the second year in succession, winning eight of the thirteen categories in which it was nominated. As reported earlier this month on Outpost Gallifrey, both Doctor Who and its spin-off series Torchwood were nominated for a slew of the awards, given by the Welsh branch of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, which celebrates achievements by Welsh productions for the big and small screens.

The winners were announced at a ceremony held in the Cardiff International Arena this evening. Doctor Who won the categories for Best Actor (David Tennant), Best Screenwriter (Russell T Davies), best lighting director - not camera (Mark Hutchings); best editor (Crispin Green); best original music soundtrack (Murray Gold); best make-up (Sheelagh Wells, Neill Gorton); best costume (Louise Page), and best director: drama (Graeme Harper).

However, the series lost out to Torchwood for Best Drama, with the spin-off also picking up the Best Actress award (Eve Myles), best director of photography: drama (Mark Waters), and best design (Edward Thomas).

In the BBC News report, Controller of BBC Wales Menna Richards is quoted as saying: "I'm very proud indeed of the success of all those who've made such wonderful programmes for BBC Wales. It's great to see BAFTA Cymru recognising the talents of all those who make programmes of the highest possible standards."

(Thanks to Graham Brown.)

David Tennant will be a guest on the first edition of the next series ofMichael Parkinson's high-profile chat show on ITV1. The vetran interviewer will talk to Tennant on a programme that will also feature comedian David Mitchell, actress Amanda Holden and singer Michael Buble.

The episode is provisionally scheduled for May 5th.

Digital Spy carries a report today about an interactive Doctor Who comic book being launched on the official programme website.

It quotes series co-executive producer Russell T Davies as saying: "For the very first time, fans of the show will be able to create their own magical Doctor Who adventure and bring it to life."

People will be able to incorporate a photo of themselves in their stories, with guidance being given on creating adventures.

Davies adds: "The amazing Comic Maker will allow fans to interact with every aspect of the exciting world of Doctor Who."

New Media Age carried a report earlier this month about the BBC producing a Comic Maker for the site.

NB: Due to rights restrictions, the Flash version of the site is only available to users based in the United Kingdom.

(Thanks to Paul Gregory.)

Doctor Who executive producer and chief writer Russell T Davies has dismissed the rumour spread by several media sources this week that Australian pop singer and actress Kylie Minogue was to appear in the 2007 Christmas special of the show.

The rumour originally appeared in last Sunday's edition of the News of the World newspaper, as reported at the time by Outpost Gallifrey, and was subsequently picked up by several websites and other newspapers. However, speaking to the BBC's weekly in-house magazine Ariel, Davies has rubbished the suggestion.

"Don't be stupid," he told the publication. "I haven't even written the script yet, and a woman like that is booked up two years in advance."

The Sci Fi Channel has announced it will start airing Series Three ofDoctor Who in the USA fromJuly 6 at 9pm.Outpost Gallifrey reported four days ago that the channel had acquired the series. The press release said Sci Fi would be showing the programme in July but a precise date was not given by the company then.

(Thanks to Scot Ferre.)

The Daily Record is currently featuring an interview with American actorRyan Carnes, best known for his role as Justin in Desperate Housewives, about his experience under heavy pig makeup as Laszlo inDaleks in Manhattan/Evolution of the Daleks.

Ryan had many years of research for the role under his belt even before being approached for it - he grew up on a pig farm: "It's ironic as my father and grandfather raised pigs until around the time I was 10. I used to help feed and call the pigs daily. And to make this part even more spooky, I grew up in Pike County, Illinois, which at one time was the 'pork capital of the world'. So playing a pig after working on a pig farm in the world capital of pigs is all very strange."

Ryan was not a fan of Doctor Who or of science fiction, but he says he "didn't have to really think too hard about taking the role" as he was familiar with the show's global appeal: "I wasn't a fan, but I'd known about it because a friend of mine had a Doctor Who pinball machine in his basement when I was a teenager, so that was my first introduction as an American."

Ryan also talks about the isolation of being under that much makeup, his desire to become an action figure, and his newfound respect for the Daleks.

Doctor Who toys have helped the Character Group post a 122 per cent jump in profits.

Pre-tax profits rose to 6.3 million pounds in the six months to February 28, up from nearly three million pounds last year, part of which was down to the demand for its "highly successful" Doctor Who toy range.

It said it also expected to benefit from strong interest in its forthcoming Dalek Sec voice-changing helmet, after the success of the Cyberman voice-changing helmet last year, as well as toys from The Sarah Jane Adventures, which is due to air in the autumn, according to the Press Association.

Also reported at Telegraph.co.uk, which states that the new voice-changer will be of Dalek Sec Hybrid.

The Totally Doctor Who website has a 15-second preview of the next episode of cartoon series The Infinite Quest.

According to the official programme website, it will be updated every Monday.

April 25, 2007 • Posted By Jarrod Cooper
Big Finish Productions has released more information about their upcoming September release Son of the Dragon. James Purefoy, known to fans from his roles in Rome and Beau Brummell, will be guest starring as Dracula in this release which sees the legendary vampire take on the Fifth Doctor (Peter Davison), Peri (Nicola Bryant), and Erimem ( Caroline Morris). Photos from the recording are currently available from the Big Finish Productions website.