The return of the Tardis
- Publication: Daily Express
- Date: 2004-07-23
- Author: Martin Evans
- Page: 27
- Language: English
Dr Who dusts off his time machine
AFTER 15 years travelling the universe, Dr Who's Tardis has finally landed — in a deserted shopping centre.
Late-night passers-by stared in disbelief as the famous police box materialised from the back ofa BBC props lorry.
The magical time machine has been absent from our screens since the last series of Dr Who ended in 1989.
Fans will be delighted that it has come into view again, albeit in the unlikely surroundings of Cardiff city centre, where the new series of Dr Who is being filmed. The original Tardis has had a refit but BBC bosses are keeping quiet about what surprises lie in store for fans of the Time Lord.
"The Tardis has undergone a few changes from the original," said a BBC spokesman. "Not only has it had a lick of paint but there are a few changes inside as well which will surprise Dr Who anoraks."
Onlookers were clearly taken aback by the arrival of the updated police box in Cardiff.
One regular from a nearby pub, Andy Beynon, 29, said: "I couldn't believe it. I was walking home from the local when I saw the
Tardis on the pavement in front of me. I honestly thought I was seeing things at first and had to do a double take, thinking it was the drink.
"A couple of lads had carried it out of the back ofa van and one looked like he was cleaning or repairing it.
"I have always been a massive Dr Who fan but never thought I would see the day the Tardis landed in Cardiff"
The Tardis was created by the Doctor more than 40 years ago to battle evil Time Lords across the universe. Dr Who is being revived with Christopher Ecclestone in the title role.
Singer-turned-actress Billie Piper plays his assistant Rose Tyler. Billie has already been spotted on location in Cardiff but 28 Days Later star Ecclestone is not due to start filming until next week.
He is the seventh actor to step into the Dr Who role. The first was William Hartnell, who appeared on TV screens from 1963 to 1966.
One of the most popular Dr Who actors was Tom Baker, who played the part between 1974 and 1981. The new series is expected to hit the screens early next year.
KEY FACES OF TV: PAGE 33
Caption: PERFECT LANDING: The Tardis, which carried Tom Baker, left, has reappeared in Cardiff where Billie Piper, right, is filming
Spelling correction: Christopher Eccleston
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- APA 6th ed.: Evans, Martin (2004-07-23). The return of the Tardis. Daily Express p. 27.
- MLA 7th ed.: Evans, Martin. "The return of the Tardis." Daily Express [add city] 2004-07-23, 27. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: Evans, Martin. "The return of the Tardis." Daily Express, edition, sec., 2004-07-23
- Turabian: Evans, Martin. "The return of the Tardis." Daily Express, 2004-07-23, section, 27 edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=The return of the Tardis | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/The_return_of_the_Tardis | work=Daily Express | pages=27 | date=2004-07-23 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=3 April 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=The return of the Tardis | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/The_return_of_the_Tardis | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=3 April 2025}}</ref>
