On here in there

Magazines I have of late been flicking through back issues of Doctor Who magazine. The best editions are those just on the cusp of the announcement of the new series, reading the editorial pieces trying to work out who knew what when. But every now and then something crops, some unusual premonitions of the future of the series.

In issue 310 (dated 14 Nov 2001) an article called 'Swap Shop' by Michael Haslett pondered what might have happened if some of the classic stories had appeared out of their own era. So 'The Mind Robber' with Peter Davison or 'The Underwater Menace' with Tom Baker. Right at the end, the writer ponders if a new series was to be made whether it would be an idea to remake stories from the past. Then thinks better of it pleading that we don't "pestering the BBC to remake An Unearthly Child with Billie Piper..." Who would have thought that something said in sarcasm would actually end up being half true?

Earlier, issue 279 (30 June 1999) is a treasure trove of material. In 'We're Gonna Be Bigger Than Star Wars' a panel of writers are asked their opinion of what a new series should be like. Who do they ask? Well Lance Parkin of course, and who else but Paul Cornell, Mark Gatiss, Steven Moffat and Russell T Davies? Rob Shearman's missing but he hadn't yet hit the 'scene' so Gareth Roberts is keeping his seat warm - y'know the man who'd end up writing some Ninth Doctor strips for that same magazine and a few novels. Russell thinks Michael 'Crime Traveller' French would be good in the lead role and that it the series wouldn't ever go out on Saturday night again. He's given the last word though: "God help anyone in charge of bringing it back - what a responsibility!" Hmm. Yes.

But there's been an extra thrill to this trawl through the archives of the club newsletter. Now and then seeing the name of someone from 'on here' in there. In the letters page for issue 294 (23 August 2000) we find one Paul Hayes praising the work of exiting editor Gary Gillatt: "I started buying the magazine in issue 220, just three issues before Gary took over, so he has been almost entirely responsible for the DWM that I have come to know and love." Someone called Sean Alexander keeps popping up as well, particularly for reader surveys.

So team, two questions. Has anyone else spotted some other peculiar foresight in an old issue of Doctor Who Magazine and have you too been immortalized in its pages? Extra points if it was a weekly at the time ...