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March 8th, 2010 58 comments

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Matt Smith and Karen Gillan to tour UK

The 11th Doctor embarks on his maiden voyage… with a whistle-stop tour presenting five regional premiers across the UK

From The BBC Press office…

Belfast, Inverness, Sunderland, Salford, Northampton


Doctor Who will begin an exciting national tour across the UK in March, introducing the new Doctor to fans of the series in five different locations spanning the length and breadth of the British Isles.

The tour will introduce the 11th Doctor, Matt Smith, and his Companion, Karen Gillan, to fans of the BBC One show and offer them a unique chance to meet the stars.

Each location will also host a regional premiere of episode one, The Eleventh Hour, for local children, working alongside BBC Outreach to enable kids to get a first look at the new Doctor in action.

Matt and Karen will travel around the UK on a specially themed Doctor Who tour bus, featuring the new TARDIS logo and iconic imagery.

BBC Outreach proactively takes the BBC into specific communities and sections of society, and has been integral in organising and supporting the tour.

The focus of the tour is to reach relatively under-served communities by the BBC.

The Doctor’s maiden voyage will commence on 29 March in Belfast, and then travel to Karen Gillan’s home town, Inverness, for a screening on 30 March.

The bus will then move on to Sunderland that afternoon and Salford on Wednesday 31 March before finishing later that day in Northampton – Matt Smith’s hometown.

Following the tour, from 1 to 3 April, the BBC will also hold events for three days at selected BBC Big Screens across the UK giving Doctor Who fans in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Plymouth and Swansea the chance to interact directly with the show in their home towns.

The events will feature exclusive footage – including the chance to see the Doctor Who trailer in 3D – and giveaways, and fans can also get their photo taken tumbling through the giant vortex.

Visitors will be able to meet some of the scariest monsters that have had viewers watching from behind their sofa for generations as well.

Piers Wenger, Executive Producer, and Head of Drama, BBC Wales, said: “This is a great opportunity for the new Doctor and his Companion to interface directly with the people who matter most to Doctor Who: the fans.

“The chance to visit them in their hometowns will ensure that the 11th Doctor’s maiden voyage is an utterly magical one.”

Alec McGivan, Head of BBC Outreach, added: “Outreach is all about getting face to face with people so they can get involved and experience the BBC in a different and exciting way – we’re delighted to be able to take one of the BBC’s best loved brands out to its audience.”


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58 comments

  • Vicky

    March 16th, 2010 - 11:28am

    @Jammaza

    The reason they’re going to the smaller places is because they never do. Read the article.

    Reply
  • booboo

    March 13th, 2010 - 10:55pm

    seems as if its by invitation only via BBC outreach

    Reply
  • diggers

    March 13th, 2010 - 10:46pm

    how do we get to see the episode in northampton any ideas ?? thanks guys

    Reply
  • kelly

    March 13th, 2010 - 2:35pm

    hoping to get to the belfast one, but they are not giving routes, wander will they just go to the centre of the towns, ie, city hall? my kids think i can take them, but i havent even a clue where to go,

    Reply
  • sheila

    March 13th, 2010 - 1:08pm

    it’s nice that the bus is going to smaller places for a change and not
    the major cities. we are all very excited in northampton to see matt back in his home town.

    Reply
  • BooBoo

    March 11th, 2010 - 1:58pm

    were trying to find out if they intend to publish the route and venues for people wishing to see the bus

    Reply
  • I am in Inverness

    March 11th, 2010 - 12:38pm

    i wish they would publish the route so we can at least see the bus

    Reply
  • master of disguise

    March 10th, 2010 - 10:34pm

    They really havent said many details about this….. have they?

    Reply
  • miss-who

    March 10th, 2010 - 9:00pm

    i reallly really want to go to this but is it invitation only?because its silly if it is,i wannted to go to the north hampton one ! grr 🙁

    Reply
  • booboo

    March 10th, 2010 - 7:59pm

    it seems its by invitation only via BBC Outreach to support local groups and schools. if we can find out any more we will let every one know

    Reply
  • helen

    March 10th, 2010 - 7:48pm

    can you give me belfast details?
    please

    Reply
  • lottie

    March 10th, 2010 - 4:12pm

    yh your right its invertation only i cheeked it out on the bbc websit its well not fair ):

    Reply
  • booboo

    March 10th, 2010 - 12:46pm

    It seems in conjunction with BBC Outreach so may be its invitation only via certain schools/groups

    Reply
  • Moody Judi

    March 10th, 2010 - 12:40pm

    Where in Northampton is the event going to take place + what time? Be nice if when tour announced could be backed up with the info needed to participate!!!!

    Reply
  • anon2

    March 9th, 2010 - 11:51pm

    The Sunderland visit is to the University, the site next to the Glass Centre. There is a cinema there. Details are on the Sunderland University website.

    Reply
  • Andrew Blakey

    March 9th, 2010 - 11:27pm

    I lived very near Sunderland I would like to know where in Sunderland Mr. Smith and Miss Gillan will be appearing

    Reply
  • lottie

    March 9th, 2010 - 7:18pm

    but like where in london is. its a big city you know

    Reply
  • Za

    March 9th, 2010 - 1:34pm

    Only one in Scotland… Not very fair

    Reply
  • Si

    March 9th, 2010 - 10:49am

    Nowhere near the South Coast………!!!!!! Shocking!!!

    Reply
  • sam

    March 8th, 2010 - 9:59pm

    why r they not going to Bristol!!!! boo boo boo booo

    Reply
  • King Ninja

    March 8th, 2010 - 8:05pm

    I wish they’d come to North Yorkshire (futile as that hope is). I’d love to meet ’em. And we never get Dr Who conventions or anything. Sigh!

    Reply
  • sam

    March 8th, 2010 - 7:44pm

    do that mean that only that part of the uk get to watch all the whole of the uk?? Well that will be not fair if the hole of uk will not get to watch it first

    Reply
  • Anonymous

    March 8th, 2010 - 7:38pm

    DEFINE NATIONWIDE DONT THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND AND WALES QUALIFY??

    Reply
  • Jammaza

    March 8th, 2010 - 7:22pm

    It would make more sense to go to all the main cities eg, London, Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow the biggest cities how stupid!

    Reply
  • jack

    March 8th, 2010 - 7:06pm

    why are they going to the most random places

    Reply
  • Thomas

    March 8th, 2010 - 6:39pm

    Dreadful! How dare they not go to Liverpol!

    Reply
  • lewis

    March 8th, 2010 - 5:39pm

    this is different, does this mean the episodes are being shown on the big screen?

    that will be before its shown of tv then?

    Reply
  • Jack Williams

    March 8th, 2010 - 5:31pm

    It will be wonderful to meet the DR and his new companion as I think I may qualify as his biggest fan. Iam 17yrs of age but my mum is doing this for me as I have severe autism.

    Reply
  • anon

    March 8th, 2010 - 3:00pm

    With all due respect, the people of wales have given so much to the show and not one Smith and Gillian tour date is in its heartland. Bah humbug.

    Reply
  • Blonfoltfetch

    March 8th, 2010 - 11:15am

    Oh wow i just have to see that bus

    Reply

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