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Doctor Who Dunnit

ENGLISH RIVIERA TOURIST BOARD

PRESS RELEASE: 14 August 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Doctor Who-dunnit!

The universe's most renowned doctor is about to encounter Torquay's most famous daughter in the exciting new series of Doctor Who. In what can only be described as the ultimate Who-dunnit, David Tennant as the Doctor and Catherine Tate as his new companion Donna Noble, are set to travel through time to have an encounter with the legendary murder mystery novelist, Agatha Christie.

Plot details are as much of a mystery as many of her novels and plays, while it has yet to be revealed whether any filming will take place in the south west, or in Cardiff where the BBC production is usually based. However internet chat rooms have been buzzing with theories since the Doctor first suggested he would like to meet Mrs Christie in the season finale of the last series.

Since Doctor Who was re-invented for a new generation back in 2005, The Doctor has met such illustrious historical figures as Charles Dickens, Queen Victoria and William Shakespeare. Since making Saturday evening family viewing 'cool' again, producer and head writer, Russell T Davis has wanted the Time Lord to meet the First Lady Of Crime.

He said: "Visiting Agatha Christie has been on my wish-list for ages now and, for The Doctor, it's a real meeting of minds! Viewers can expect many more ambitious storylines and a whole host of guest stars in 2008."

The episode is due to be broadcast in Spring of next year and is set to introduce the world's most published author (yes, she still even outsells JK Rowling) to the Harry Potter generation. She is being played by Jekyll star Fenella Woolgar, who played another Agatha in Stephen Fry's Bright Young Things and has also appeared in an episode of Poirot.

Mathew Prichard, Agatha Christie's grandson, comments: "What a brilliant idea that Agatha Christie and Doctor Who should meet! Two characters whose contribution to British entertainment is absolutely unrivalled.

"As far as I know my grandmother, Agatha Christie, never saw Doctor Who, but I am sure she would have been intrigued, excited and above all flattered by all this attention in 2007."

The announcement that The Doctor and Mrs Christie will meet and the buzz and speculation this has provoked, couldn't have been more perfectly timed for the promotion of the Agatha Christie Festival, which takes place between the 9th and 16th of September.

The festival will celebrate the life and works of the novelist through film, theatre, walks, lectures and social soirees and coincides with her birthday on 15th September. Tickets for certain events like the "The Unexpected Guest" at the Princess Theatre and the open-air screening of "Death On The Nile" at Oldway Mansion have already been flying out of the Torquay Tourist Information Centre since they went on sale a few days ago.

Aviva Pearson, Director of Tourism said: "It's fantastic that crime fiction and science fiction are meeting in such an exciting way and I am really looking forward to seeing Fenella Woolgar in the role. Agatha Christie remains a fantastic international draw for the English Riviera and has left us a fantastic heritage to be celebrated. It is amazing news that she is to be featured on such a cult TV show and to be brought to life to millions of viewers. With the Agatha Chrisite Festival a matter of weeks away, this news couldn't be better timed and we look forward to sharing the exciting news with all of the international visitors who join us for the celebrations."

Full details of the Agatha Christie Festival are available at www.englishriviera.co.uk by clicking on the Agatha Christie link.

Tickets for events including "The Unexpected Guest" and "Death On The Nile" are now on sale at the Torquay Tourist Information Centre on Vaughan Parade.

Ends

Contact:
Matt Newbury - English Riviera Tourist Board - 01803 408350