Thirteen weeks to Christmas Day

In the 1980s I was walking down a corridor in TV Centre when a make up artist ran after me shouting ‘Your ears!!! I must have them for my production!’ She took me off to a room where she did moulds of them, and they were used for all the creatures in The Chronicles of Narnia.

Only a few days to go until my new painting exhibition opens on 1 September. 22 original paintings inspired by a hundred years of science fiction cinema. Here's one based on a 1970s classic. Do please come along if you can - if not, don't forget to access the virtual exhibition. Please share. Ta!

UNIT assembled! Join Ken Bentley, Matt Fitton, James Joyce and Tracy Wiles for a panel discussion in this fab podcast.

My new painting exhibition - BRAVE NEW WORLDS - opens in just over a week. It’s a celebration of a century of science fiction films. Do please come along if you’re in the area - and tell your friends and family. For those who can’t make it in person, the whole exhibition will be viewable online too.

As the Trump administration begins the process of banning same-sex marriage and dismantling queer rights in the US, I’m reminded of this cartoon.

That time Rod and Emu turned up on Blue Peter and it ended up looking like a painting by Caravaggio

Ooh Alien: Earth is really, really, really blooming brilliant.

BRAND-NEW TRAILER KLAXON! 📢 Click https://bgfn.sh/lastasp to hear the Fourth Doctor, Leela, the Brigadier, Cleopatra and... something I've forgotten... 卌 | |||| | 卌 |||| | 卌

This Sunday, a chance to bid on some signed memorabilia from my lovely mum. All money raised will be split between The Princess Alice Hospice, who cared for my mum so brilliantly, and The Anthony Nolan Trust. Please help raise some money for two brilliant causes!

Coming in August... River Song v Henry VIII A four hour pseudo-historical epic... from @bigfinish.bsky.social , written by me. #DoctorWho And, as I'm a huge #baldursgate3 #bg3 fan, I'm delighted we've got Andrew Wincott (Raphael) in the cast, as Thomas Cromwell! Trailer below...

Coming as I do from a BBC comedy background, I have a shitload of suggestions for how to make great television programmes more cheaply (such as not budgeting them at $10m+ per episode) none of which anyone is interested in. They don’t want cheaper TV. They want cheaper people.

OUT NOW! It's a spore war for the Third Doctor, Liz and the Brig. 🦠 Click https://bgfn.sh/dwtmm to listen to Doctor Who: The Mirror Matter, a feature-length audio novel written by Kate Orman and performed by Jon Culshaw.

STOP! ✋ LOOK! 👀 LISTEN! 👂 #DoctorWho: The Mirror Matter is a brand-new Third Doctor audio novel due for release in July. Click bgfn.sh/dwtmm to hear more, check out the cover and pre-order. soundcloud.com/big-finish/d...

I've been hearing so much how amazing the Hooklight audios are so I finally checked them out. Believe the hype, its one big amazing adventure. It may even be up there amongst the other best 5th Doctor audios. Highly recommended 😁👍 #DoctorWho @bigfinish.bsky.social @verbatimfoley.bsky.social

"Affirmative, Master! Sale prices detected!" John Leeson audiobooks and dramas - half price selected titles, here: https://bgfn.sh/john25 Offers end no later than 23:59 (UK time) on 08 June 2025.

AVAILABLE NOW! 🗣️🎙️👂 A brand-new full-cast audio drama box set. Click https://bgfn.sh/DW4D14B to listen now to Doctor Who: The Ruins of Kaerula. Starring Tom Baker, Louise Jameson and John Leeson, with Jon Culshaw as the Brigadier.

I’ve popped down memory lane for Tom’s website

The Fifth Doctor range from @bigfinish.bsky.social keeps on giving. After modern masterpieces of the likes of Forty 2 and Merfolk Murders, @verbatimfoley.bsky.social delivers his most ambitious project yet and the landing is as smooth as it could be. Genuinely bravo. 👏

How did we come to be in a world where people use phones hands free in public as walkie talkies? No public space, no peaceful area, is free from it.

"An absolute triumph! A tale that is sure to reward on multiple re-listens... ★★★★★"

What an outstanding conclusion to @bigfinish.bsky.social's 12-part Hooklight. Couldn't be more amazed by @verbatimfoley.bsky.social's groundbreaking storytelling, with the Eighth Doctor having a major role. This is #DoctorWho at one of its finest!

Doctor Who: Hooklight 2 Oh my god what an Epic in every sense of the word. The way it wraps around is just so beautiful. That epilogue killed me. HE REMEMBERED HER!!! HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME!!!!

Hooklight is far and away one of the best stories that @bigfinish.bsky.social has ever done. The twists and turns it takes, the horror vibe, the time wimey nature of what’s happening to Five and his TARDIS crew, and the use of McGann’s 8? Man, this was truly fantastic from top to bottom. Wonderful!

I called the winner!

Eurovision prediction: 1: Austria 2: Sweden 3: Malta

It’s out now! A huge THANK YOU to all the reviewers and listeners who helped preserve The Big Twist

SPOILERS AHOY! ⚠️ Doctor Who: Hooklight comes to a climax today. Click bgfn.sh/hl2 to complete the incredible audio drama saga.

TOMORROW, ALL IS REVEALED! 🪝💡 Click bgfn.sh/hl2 to find out more and to pre-order the box set of #DoctorWho: Hooklight 2.

Return to Terra Alpha with The Happiness Patrol and @cutawaycomics.bsky.social @garethothevworp.bsky.social @seanmason87.bsky.social @sophiealdred.bsky.social scifibulletin.com/2025/05/14/s...

Go on then.

"Years and Years" has just been put back on Netflix, and I've a feeling that's deliberate. It's described as a "dystopian science fiction drama," written by the genius Russell T Davis. I suggest you watch it if you haven't already. 6 episodes. It's all now happening. youtu.be/SY41jhIP_xI?...

💥 OUT NOW! 💥 No Gallifrey, no Daleks... and no Doctor? Click https://bgfn.sh/wdr3 to listen to The War Doctor Rises: Fallen Heroes, a three-part detective mystery audio drama.

🔊 Returning with new stories in July. Click bgfn.sh/tfgdoa to pre-order The Fugitive Doctor: Dead or Alive, full-cast audio drama starring Jo Martin and Alice Krige.

Return to the world of Terra Alpha with a stunning new thrillfest! Script by Steve Lyons. Art by Adrian Salmon. Kickstarter goes live this Wednesday! www.kickstarter.com/projects/roo...

SALE! 💥 Click https://bgfn.sh/war25 to get up to 50% off selected audio adventures for the War Doctor, featuring John Hurt, Jacqueline Pearce and Jonathon Carley. Offers expire no later than 23:59 (UK time) on 18 May 2025.

Bit late to the game but OH. MY. GOD!!! Part 1 was absolutely brilliant!!! It’s up there with my other all time favourites. It was truly epic 😍

The second part of Hooklight is out in ONE WEEK!

Happiness will prevail... keep an eye out for more info soon.

SALE! 💸 Up to 50% off selected releases and bundles. Click https://bgfn.sh/cm25 to grab a discount on Counter-Measures, from the worlds of Doctor Who. Offers end no later than 23:59 (UK time) on 11 May 2025.

#Sheffield this coming Sunday ... (14+ years warning) Talking all things Shakespeare with a little bit extra on the side

Not Berkshire yet, but #Sheffield #Harrogate #Leeds all details on my w/s ❤️

And here's a trailer for Hooklight 2! Deliciously giving nothing away!! Due out May 15th. Set your alarms. Guard your lanterns.

Finished this today and loved loved loved it. A novel I will revisit.

I love this line-up www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/cele...

"A must listen for fans of Jago & Litefoot, and a cracking Fourth Doctor tale to boot! ★★★★★"

‘Rivers Street and Julian Road from Brunswick Place, Bath’ original acrylic painting on gesso 50x50cm

Oh, this is wonderful: an article from the Spectator in 1973, moaning about Doctor Who being too woke. H/t @spinkysmama.bsky.social for the link. Some things never change.

The absence of trans people from the British media is part of the problem. I'd like to offer mentoring to trans people trying to get into journalism, free of charge. Most of my experience is obviously in political commentary, but I might be passably useful in news and other areas.

Librarians pressured to remove books by LGBTQ+ writers. Librarians harrassed at work for putting LGBTQ+ stories on their shelves. This is the UK-not Hungary, not USA. It's here and now. What can you do? Invite LGBTQ+ writers to your schools and libraries. www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...