Find the missing Who tapes
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- Publication: Sunday Mercury
- Date: 2012-06-10
- Author: Paul Cole
- Page: 11
- Language: English
BBC bosses are pleading with fans heading to a big Birmingham convention: "Help us find the missing Doctor Who tapes!" Archivists at the Beeb are desperate to track down rare broadcasts as TV's top-rated time lord beams down to Brum.
Current doctor Matt Smith is topping the bill at The 11th Hour fan convention staged in the NEC Hilton Metropole Hotel this week.
He will be joined by Alex Kingston, who plays feisty River Song, and Frances Barber, known to fans as evil eye-patched nanny Madame Kovarian.
Other series stars will include Simon Fisher Becker (blue-faced Dorium Maldovar) and Neve McIntiosh (lizard lady Alaya).
But the Beeb sees the convention as an answer to the corporation's prayers.
"We are calling all Doctor Who fans with lost treasures squirrelled away," said AudioGO commissioning editor Michael Stevens.
"We're keen to hear from anyone who has off-air recordings of Doctor Who-related items from BBC TV and radio programmes, particularly those recorded in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
"These could include interviews with the cast and crew of Doctor Who, features on the making of the series, discussions about Doctor Who - or even comedy sketches, making fun of the characters. "Any useable contributions will be gathered together in a new volume of Doctor Who At The BBC to be published as a CD or download in 2013.
"We made a similar appeal back in 2005, which led to several rare finds. It was amazing to discover the gems people sent us last time.
"We're hoping for an equally exciting response this time because we're sure many people may still have excerpts which are no longer in the BBC archives and haven't previously come to light."
The 11th Hour convention, which runs from June 15 to 17, is a three-day celebration of Matt Smith's tenure as the 11th Doctor - and the attendance of the Time Lord himself is seen as something of a coup.
"Matt Smith will be attending the event on Saturday June 15, taking part in a guest talk, photo sessions and autographs," said a spokesman for organisers Starfury Conventions. "We are over the moon that he is taking part.
"Alex Kingston will be attending on the Friday evening, all day Saturday, and on Sunday morning, too.
Revellers "We'll be having a number of guest talks, signing sessions, competitions and themed party nights. So dress to impress!" Party nights include Fez and Eye-Patch, Companions and Creatures, and Earth's History, where revellers are expected to dress as famous characters ranging from Leonardo Da Vinci to Winston Churchill.
The event is not endorsed by the BBC but is expected to attract fans from all round the UK, and even further afield.
Britain's top Doctor Who collector is Peter Jewell of Lancaster, who has his memorabilia valued around pounds 750,000.
The 48-year-old says he became a fan 42 years ago.
"I was ill with mumps and my mum bought me a Doctor Who book," he recalled. "That was it. I started collecting things when I was ten or 11; it started from there and it's never let me go. I grew up with it really.
"I meet people aged from two to 90 who all love the show. I would have loved to find like-minded people when I was younger."
A doctor in real life, Peter owns just about everything from the classic Dalek toys, to Doctor Who helium balloons.
His collection includes artefacts such as a theatre programme from the first professional performance of Doctor Who, and the very first Doctor Who comic from 1978, which is worth pounds 20,000.
For more information about The 11th Hour convention call 07930 319119 or click www.starfury.co.uk. If you have Doctor Who tapes, e-mail info@audiogo.co.uk, with subject header 'Doctor Who at the BBC Appeal'.
paul.cole@sundaymercury.net
GRAPHIC: TOP DRAW: Matt Smith and Alex Kingston will be at the convention.
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- APA 6th ed.: Cole, Paul (2012-06-10). Find the missing Who tapes. Sunday Mercury p. 11.
- MLA 7th ed.: Cole, Paul. "Find the missing Who tapes." Sunday Mercury [add city] 2012-06-10, 11. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: Cole, Paul. "Find the missing Who tapes." Sunday Mercury, edition, sec., 2012-06-10
- Turabian: Cole, Paul. "Find the missing Who tapes." Sunday Mercury, 2012-06-10, section, 11 edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=Find the missing Who tapes | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Find_the_missing_Who_tapes | work=Sunday Mercury | pages=11 | date=2012-06-10 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=28 April 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=Find the missing Who tapes | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Find_the_missing_Who_tapes | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=28 April 2025}}</ref>
