Yesterday we reported on how Nicholas Pegg, the writer of The Watcher column in Doctor Who Magazine, has been dismissed from the publication following a ‘coded message’ left in its latest issue. On the same day, Private Eye magazine has run a report that hints at some of the problems behind the scenes.
In its new issue, Private Eye says that relations between BBC Worldwide and Panini (the company that publishes Doctor Who Magazine) haven’t been at their best. The centre of contention has reportedly been the independence of the magazine, that’s been critical of both the merchandising of BBC Worldwide, political comments in interviews, and criticism of the Doctor Who spin-off series, Class.
Editor Tom Spilsbury left the magazine over the summer, and as per Private Eye, he “had a falling out with BBC Wales … after daring to be critical of the little-seen BBC3 spin-off Class, and in the summer he took a pay-off and left the magazine”.
Spilsbury hasn’t commented on this.
The report then adds that Panini has begun cutting the budget for the magazine, with long-running columns set to be ended. Thus, ‘A History Of Doctor Who In 100 Objects’ is looking like it’s going to end at the 87th part of the series, for instance.
Panini hasn’t commented on this, but it all doesn’t sound like the happiest ship. The full report is in issue 1456. Private Eye can be found here.