Doctor Who Magazine 625 features a new “not-to-be-missed” comic strip adventure featuring the Fifteenth Doctor and companion Melanie Bush.
This month Tom Baker will celebrate his 92nd birthday. Join his family, friends and dignitaries on the day he was awarded an MBE for his services to television. The official Doctor Who website shared an excerpt.
“The presentation starts with Tom emerging from the TARDIS, which he is so much associated with. Tom is ushered into the back of the TARDIS. He addresses the gathered crowd, ‘I’ll be back’. As he enters the TARDIS, it sways a little; things really haven’t changed all these years later.
With Tom in position the Lord-Lieutenant enters and knocks on the door. Never one to miss a laugh, Tom opens the door, looks at the Lord-Lieutenant and closes it as though visitors weren’t welcome, which is met with a roar of laughter from the room. As the Lord-Lieutenant knocks again, Tom emerges magnificently, something he has naturally done countless times over the years. Edward Barham, the owner of Hole Park where the investiture is taking place, shares some of Tom’s achievements, talking about his life and why he is being celebrated. With the speech at an end, Tom is officially presented with his MBE and is given the floor once again. Rather than talking about himself, Tom plays to the crowd.
‘Thanks for popping in!’ he says, ‘I’ve enjoyed the route here, not that I have much of a sense of direction.’
Ever the jobbing actor he jokes that he has been offered two roles already that day since receiving his honour. It becomes apparent that even those in high office are fans of Tom…”
Also in Doctor Who Magazine 625:
• The War Between the Land and the Sea star Russell Tovey talks further about playing Barclay – ambassador for the whole of humanity
• Pete McTighe, writer and executive producer of The War Between the Land and the Sea, shares his production diary
• An access-all-areas look at the production of The War Between the Land and the Sea
• Destination: Daleks! – Join Fifth Doctor Peter Davison and Janet Fielding (Tegan) as they film a new mini-adventure for the forthcoming Season 21 – The Collection Blu-ray
• Who Year’s Resolutions – plans for Doctor Who fans in 2026
• Back to 2009 – How the fandom reacted to the casting of Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith
• A refection on the tragedy of Time Lord renegade Morbius
• The Fact of Fiction – the second part of deep dive into the epic Third Doctor adventure Doctor Who and the Silurians
Regular Features:
Gallifrey Guardian – news including the latest on the animated CBeebies Doctor Who series
Reviews – including the Doctor Who Series 10 official soundtrack and The War Between the Land and the Sea DVD/Blu-ray
Other Worlds – the essential guide to new stories in the Doctor Who expanded universe
Prizes to be won – including audio dramas featuring the Daleks and Cybermen
Doctor Who Magazine 625 is on sale Thursday 8 January from Panini and news outlets priced £7.99 (UK). Also available as a digital edition from Pocketmags priced £6.99.