This 23 November will mark 50 years of Doctor Who, and BBC Worldwide are celebrating with a three-day event at ExCel, London. It will bring together over 15,000 fans and kicks off on Friday 22 November. More details to come!
Don’t worry if you’re not based in the UK, though, as there will be celebrations all across space and time throughout the year. BBC America are raising a glass with a number of original programme commissions which will look back at the Doctor throughout the years and celebrate the world’s longest running science fiction show.
The programmes will focus on a different Doctor each month in chronological order, and kicked off with William Hartnell’s Doctor in January before culminating with the current Doctor, played by Matt Smith in November. The program will also be made available internationally.
In New Zealand, BBC Worldwide Australasia has collaborated with the New Zealand Mint to produce a commemorative coin featuring the TARDIS which will be classified as legal tender to the value of $2(NZD). A range of collectible coins will also be available in New Zealand for fans and collectors alike.
A huge range of new products will also be released throughout 2013. A set of 11 celebratory Doctor Who stamps (unveiled by Royal Mail on Boxing Day 2012) will be available to purchase from March 26 and Harlequin Goldsmiths has created a collection of Limited Edition Sterling silver and 9ct gold statuaries, together with a range of jewellery for both ladies and gentlemen.
For the first time in the company’s history, the Goldsmiths’ Assay Office has granted BBC Worldwide the use of its iconic trademark to form part of a new London hallmark – the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary mark. Only Doctor Who statuaries and jewellery manufactured by Harlequin Goldsmiths in 2013 will bear this special hallmark, following which the mark will be discontinued and the punch presented to the BBC archives.
Amanda Hill, Chief Brands Officer at BBC Worldwide said: “We cannot wait to welcome Doctor Who fans from around the world to London in November. It’s going to be a spectacular weekend! Generations of fans young and old have been captivated by the Doctor and we’ve seen the show go from strength to strength, enjoying something of a global march over the past few years attracting new followers from Turkey to Brazil to South Korea. 2013 is an opportunity for fans around the world to come together and celebrate the glorious past, present and future of Doctor Who.”
More details about the Doctor Who 50th Celebration Weekend at ExCeL London, including guests, itinerary, ticket prices and booking information will be revealed soon, alongside a host of other surprises. Fans should sign up to the Doctor Who TV newsletter to be the first to hear about plans for the celebration.
