View source for Doctor Who back in time for winter on BBC1

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| publication = London Evening Standard
| file = 2004-12-01 London Evening Standard.jpg
| px = 550
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| date = 2004-12-01
| author = Alexa Baracaia
| pages = 23
| language = English 
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£3M REVIVAL OF CLASSIC SERIES AND AB FAB AMONG HIGHLIGHTS OF NEW TV SCHEDULES


Who's girl: Billie Piper plays the timelord's sidekick in the new series

DOCTOR WHO will return to TV screens by early February, it was revealed today.

The long-awaited TV revival of the classic British series is the highlight of the BBC1's winter schedule. The £3 million show, starring Christopher Eccleston as the Time Lord and Billie Piper as his 21st-century sidekick, returns after a 15-year hiatus.

BBC1 bosses had hinted the new series was likely to be screened in the spring.

While they currently refuse to give an exact date, it is believed that the show will have a fanfare launch in late January or early February.

The modern version of the TV series has been written by Russell T Davies, creator of Queer As Folk.

The new series promises to feature a hint of romance between Dr Who and his aide Rose Tyler (Piper). "I can do what I want," said Davies. "The purists may be up in arms but there are more things to worry about in life." The winter schedule also features the premiere of a new drama, Cherished, about Angela Cannings. Sarah Lancashire stars opposite

Timothy Spall as the mother wrongly convicted of killing two of her babies.

Other highlights include the television adaptation of Meera Syal's acclaimed book Life Isn't All Ha Ha, Hee Hee.

There is a TV version of Sarah Waters's Booker-nominated novel Fingersmith, starring Imelda Staunton and Charles Dance. Waters also wrote the controversial lesbian drama Tipping The Velvet.

A sitcom from My Family creator Fred Barron, The World According To Bex, stars Jessica Stevenson.

Docu-drama Supervolcano charts an eruption of Yellowstone National Park. It is set in the near future and based on scientific research. "It's a true story — it just hasn't happened yet," said a BBC spokesman.

Christmas schedules include the British TV premiere of Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone and a new episode of Absolutely Fabulous.

ITV's festive line-up includes a Midsomer Murders special and a remake of Tom Brown's Schooldays, starring Stephen Fry. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Paul McCartney feature on a special Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?


Caption: Festive cheers: Ab Fab gets a Christmas episode
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