Future's best-selling sci-fi and fantasy magazine SFX is offering readers an exclusive opportunity to win a full-scale Dalek, in a two-part competition that will test even the most dedicated of DOCTOR WHO fans.

One lucky reader will win the once in a lifetime prize of a life-size Dalek, modelled on Dalek Sec from the new series of DOCTOR WHO and hand-built using measurements from the BBC originals by THIS PLANET EARTH, the only company licensed by the BBC to produce full-sized replica Daleks.

Spanning two issues, the SFX challenge will separate the Dalek experts from the casual DOCTOR WHO fans with a series of exhaustive questions covering the classic TV show's 40 year history.

Once readers have answered the final series of questions, appearing in issue 168 of SFX, on sale Wednesday 12th March, a special grid provided in each issue will reveal the anagram of a phrase relevant to the Daleks. Readers must then unlock this hidden phrase to be in with a chance of winning the competition and taking home the exclusive Dalek prize.

• The March 2008 on sale Wednesday 13th February with a cover price of £3.99
• The April 2008 on sale Wednesday 12th March.

TORCHWOOD's John Barrowman's ANYTHING GOES autobiography is released on BBC AUDIO on 4 February 2008. RRP £12.99. 2x CDs - duration 2 hours 15 minutes.

"This is only the intermission" (the final line of the CD) is a expectation that this autobiography will be the first volume of many.

Whilst some of the language may not be suitable for children (who are fans of DOCTOR WHO and TORCHWOOD), Barrowman presents a view of a balanced & supportive family life (even though the upheavals of transatlantic life were disconcerting at time) where strong females (his grandma, mom and sister) seem more like trusted friends than family, discusses the devoid of growing pains development as a young man (and the gay-thing), the entertainment industry (including his nemesis, Peter P. who finally got his comeuppance in New York), and his cival partnership ceremony.

Of course, fans will be relieved that both BBC WALES' series are discussed at length but, in conclusion, this aspect of Barrowman's life is, whilst currently important, peripheral.

ANYTHING GOES is about the value of life (exposing the "negative nellies" and purging them) and family & friends. All of which Barrowman embraces & promotes in this uplifting BBC AUDIO.

And, yes - of course he does - he breaks into song. And why not.

THE SUN reports that SERIES will launch on Saturday 5 April.

This is two weeks later than a BBC SOURCE told this website - 22 March.

Note: TORCHWOOD SERIES TWO ends Wednesday 9 April. Unless the finale is a double-bill on Wednesday 2 April.

BBC PRESS OFFICE have announced two new British actors for SERIES 4.

Former ER actor, Alex Kingston (a mysterious character who meets the Doctor on an expedition to uncover the secrets of an abandoned library) and JAMES BOND regular actor, Colin Salmon.

They appear in the Steven Moffat two-parter.

If you were waiting for the eyeofhorus.org.uk competition to win one of 10 copies of DOCTOR WHO - THE TIME MEDDLER, sorry, but we're unable launch the competition.

However, we will have ten copies of DOCTOR WHO - THE FIVE DOCTORS and 5 copies of DOCTOR WHO - VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED DVDs available as part of the competitions.

Both competitions will be launched shortly.

BBC DVD 2008 releases

AIRFIX have released the titles for their second DOCTOR WHO NEW SERIES model kits - hopefully, on budget and one time this time - for 2008.

• DOCTOR WHO - DALEK ENCOUNTER
• DOCTOR WHO - ASTRID

The kit prices have yet to be released.

AMAZON.CO.UK are listing three new unabridged reading releases from BBC AUDIO.

The epic five-parter, THE DAEMONS (1971), the 1978 Tom Baker story, CREATURE FROM THE PIT and the first Doctor story, THE ROMANS (1964).

CREATURE FROM THE PIT (7 April 2008)

Another entry in our range of unabridged readings of classic DOCTOR WHO novelisation, first published by Target books in the 1970s & 1980s. The planet Chloris is very fertile, but metal is in short supply, and has therefore become extremely valuable. A huge creature, with most unusual physical properties, arrives from an alien planet which can provide Chloris with metal from its own unlimited supplies, in exchange for chlorophyll. However, the ruthless Lady Adrasta has been able to exploit the shortage of metal to her own advantage, and has no wish to see the situation change. The Doctor and Romana land on Chloris just as the creature's alien masters begin to lose patience over their ambassador's long absence. The action the aliens decide to take will have devastating consequences for Chloris, unless something is done to prevent it...

THE ROMANS (5 May 2008)

William Hartnell stars as the Doctor, alongside William Russell as Ian, Jacqueline Hill as Barbara and Maureen O'Brien as Vicki in this four part story set in Ancient Rome. Written by Dennis Spooner. Whilst Ian and Barbara are kidnapped by slave traders, the Doctor is mistaken for a famous lyre player and plays at Nero's court. Can the TARDIS crew reunite and escape Rome before it burns to the ground? The original TV soundtrack has been digitally remastered, with linking narration by a member of the original cast.

THE DAEMONS (12 June 2008)

Another entry in our range of unabridged readings of Classic DOCTOR WHO novelisation, first published by Target Books in the 1970s & 1980s. DOCTOR WHO is strangely concerned about Professor Horner's plan to cut open an ancient barrow near the peaceful English village of Devil's End; equally worried is Miss Hawthorne, the local white witch, who foretells a terrible disaster if he goes ahead. Determined that the Professor should is Mr Magister, the new vicar (in truth the MASTER) whose secret ceremonies are designed to conjure up from out of the barrow a horribly powerful being from a far-off planet...The Brigadier and Jo Grant assist Doctor Who in this exciting confrontation with the forces of black magic!

Opening a few days before the start of SERIES 4, the London-based DOCTOR WHO WHO EXHIBITION will open on 20 March 2008.

Tickets will go on sale on 18 February 2008.

DOCTOR WHO WHO EXHIBITION

Toy maker, CHARACTER OPTIONS confirms a 5" and 12" remote controlled Dalek creator, DAVROS for 2008 release.

The company states "SERIES 4 Davros".

Davros first appeared in 1975's GENESIS OF THE DALEKS, then DESTINY OF THE DALEKS, RESURRECTION OF THE DALEKS, REVELATION OF THE DALEKS and finally in REMEMBRANCE OF THE DALEKS.

The recently introduced (for UK ISP access only) BBC iPlayer has proved successful over the Christmas and New Year period with over 3.5 million "accesses".

And the most popular programme that was downloaded (within seven days of its original TV broadcast) was DOCTOR WHO - VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED.

CHARACTER OPTIONS have released details for 2008 action figures and related box sets.

Exciting is the word.

Items include:

• CANCELLED: THE SCHOOL REUNION gift set
• THE VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED (March 2008) contains a 5" Kylie Astrid Peth figure, two Host figures and two new accessories
• THE VALIANT GIFT SET (March 2008) featuring the Doctor, the Master, Martha Jones and Lucy Saxon figure
• Captain Jack SERIES 3 figure (July 2008)
• A new version of the Dalek Battle Pack (July 2008)
• Delayed: The CLASSIC SERIES figures first wave (May 2008)
• CLASSIC SERIES Special Weapons Dalek, Tenth Planet Cyberman
• EVOLUTION OF THE DALEKS Collection (new version)
• Season 12 Gift set (1974-75)
• SERIES 4 Sontaran Gift Set
• SERIES 4 Sontaran 12"
• SERIES 4 "Murder Mystery Set"
• RE-ISSUE due to faulty plastic: The Doctor in Pentallian Spacesuit, the Master, the Professor Yana
• DELETED ACTION FIGURE: The Master (post-regeneration from UTOPIA)

However, the company may have revealed too much.

A new radio controlled 12" from SERIES 4 is planned for an Autumn release.

A Dalek returns..? Or a Dalek-origin creature..?

The bad news: the RRP will increase from £6.99 to £7.99 for single pack action figures.

David Troughton - Son of the Second Doctor, Patrick Troughton - has been cast as "Hobbs" in the final episodes of SERIES 4 according to the latest of DOCTOR WHO magazine.

Troughton has appeared in two CLASSIC SERIES stories, THE WAR GAMES (1969) and THE CURSE OF PELADON (1972).

Expect eBay to be awash with CHARACTER OPTIONS latest "toy".

The Doctor's Fob Watch is a highly detailed (and fully functional - as a watch, of course) replica of the fob watch used by both the Doctor and the Master. It features speech, lights and sound effects.

RRP: £14.99. Suitable for five year olds plus and adults of-a-certain-age.

BBC DVD and 2|entertain are releasing Tom Baker's 1978 THE INVASION OF TIME (featuring the Sontarans and Gallifrey) and Peter Davison's two-parter (but a two disc release), BLACK ORCHID (1982).

The DVD EXTRAS for BLACK ORCHID include:

• NOW & THEN - THE LOCATIONS OF BLACK ORCHID (DISC 1)
• DOCTOR WHO - COMING SOON TO DVD... - THE INVASION OF TIME
• BLACK ORCHID - PHOTO GALLERY
• DELETED SCENES 1-4
• EASTER EGG
• BLACK ORCHID - FILM RESTORATION
• BLUE PETER
• POINTS OF VIEW
• STRIPPED FOR ACTION - THE STORY OF DOCTOR WHO COMICS - THE FIFTH DOCTOR
• DOCTOR WHO - BLACK ORCHID - PART 1 (AUDIO COMMENTARY) (DISC 2)
• DOCTOR WHO - BLACK ORCHID - PART 2 (AUDIO COMMENTARY)

Though yet to be broadcast, DOCTOR WHO SERIES 4 DVD boxset has been schedule for 4 August 2008 according to several online retailers.

Seems a bit too early. Probably more likely to be the release of the first Volume of SERIES 4.

Boxset RRP £69.99.

The red button commentary for VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED with T Davies, Gardner and Collinson revealed that at the time of recording (12 December 2007) that:

• SERIES 4 Episode 6 contains a new alien called "The Haff"
• SERIES 4 Episode 11 contains Catherine Tate's the most extraordinary performance
• SERIES 4 Episode 7 the Doctor eats anchovies as a "remedy"

The best quote on the commentary; Julie Gardner commenting that the team had just talked over the new theme tune adding "Hooray". If only everyone had talked over it to drown out the dreadful music.

Phil Collinson confirms that he will resign at the end of SERIES 4 and will not Produce the three 2009 Specials.

eyeofhorus.org.uk is launching three all-new DOCTOR WHO DVD competitions this month.

• THE TIME MEDDLER - win one of 10 copies
• THE FIVE DOCTORS (new 2008 edition) - win one of five copies
• VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED - win of 10 copies

BENEATH THE SURFACE DVD boxset is open for entries.

With thanks to BBC AUDIOBOOKS.

Releasing on 7 January 2008, BBC AUDIOBOOKS continue with their CLASSIC SCI-FI stories (2 CD sets RRP £12.99).

• A FALL OF MOONDUST (by Arthur C Clarke) first broadcast in 1981
• CHOCKY (by John Wyndham) first broadcast in 1998 - starring TORCHWOOD actor, Owen Teale
• SOLARIS (by Stanislaw Lem)

If you are looking for an antidote to an overdosing of DOCTOR WHO, eyeofhorus.org.uk recommends this series of CDs.