511: BBC Audiobooks 2026 (part one)

The Fifth Doctor, Tegan, Turlough and Kamelion feature in today's book club release, The Crystal Bucephalus. Kenny and guest co-conspirator Si Hart discuss Craig Hinton's first Doctor Who novel, from the Virgin Missing Adventures range. We feature two archive interviews with Craig, which are read for us, plus we're delighted to be joined by Craig's old friend and colleague Peter Anghelides, who shares his memories of the writer.

We're all excited - Sophie Aldred is coming to Scotland in a couple of weeks. Sophie's headlining An Ace Afternoon, which is taking place in Dunfermline - the home town of Ncuti Gatwa! She joins us to talk about her love of Scotland and memories of visiting, plus event organiser Chris Cassell and master of monster making Stephen Mansfield talk about what to expect. Ever wanted to meet Fifi or see a Haemovore up close? This is your chance! Get your tickets at: https://www.onfife.com/event/sci-fife-an-ace-afternoon-with-sophie-aldred-22801a/

The Fifteenth Doctor's latest original adventure is The Moon Cruise. It's a fun adventure set on a spaceship, which has a VERY dark secret, and possibly goes to areas you may not expect a new series adventure to go to. We feature a brief conversation with editor Steve Cole, and an extract from the BBC Audiobooks release, which is available now. The Moon Cruise is available as a hardback, and also as an eBook.

The Fourth Doctor and Leela are front and centre in today's episode, as we returned to Chris 'the Bouch' Boucher's Doctor Who novels. The Irredeemable Shag leaves the Fire and Water Podcast Network as he joins Kenny again, as the look at the third of the Bouch's books. We feature the full interview that DWM's David Darlington carried out with the late author for his preview of the book, with huge thanks to Davy for his help. Plus, we feature the usual couple of readings from the novel too.

BBC Audio has returned in 2026, with a busy start to the year so far. With original audio adventures, soundtrack releases, Target novelisations and more, there's a feast for your ears. We speak to Michael Stevens about what's coming in the first half of the year - and teases what might be ahead later in 2026!

Given that many Doctor Who fans are working their way through their Doctor Who - The Collection: Season 21 blu-rays, we thought we'd have another book tie-in to the release. The Scale of Injustice, by Gary Russell, introduced concepts such as the Silurian Triad with Icthar, Silurian battle cruisers and the Myrka, into Doctor Who, before Season 21. We find out why Liz Shaw left UNIT, and how Mike Yates was promoted to captain - plus some events in the life of young Kate "Tiger" Lethbridge-Stewart!

We bring you a bonus episode on the creation of the new content for Doctor Who - The Collection: Season 21. We're delighted to be joined by the brilliant broadcaster that is Dr Matthew Sweet, as we interview him about interviewing and interviewees. It's rather meta, isn't it...?

With Season 21 now out on blu-ray, we take a look at another Doctor Who story that never was. Today, our team of fantastic readers bring us The SCI, a four-part story by William Emms. This was proposed by the writer of Galaxy 4 for Season 21, but was never developed - we bring you another lost story, courtesy of Richard Bignell.

It's a new Doctor Who - The Collection blu-ray release week, and, as ever, we've tied today's book club into it. Today, we're looked at an adventure set during Season 21, and we speak to author Christopher Bulis about Imperial Moon. It starts in a Scottish glen, with the Emperor Queen - and continues on the moon with the Fifth Doctor, Turlough and Kamelion.

A day later than planned (we had to mark the return of missing episodes!), we bring you the second part of our preview of the Doctor Who - The Collection: Season 21. We're delighted to speak to Paul Scoones about writing (and re-writing!) the subtitles for five of the stories in this season, we learn about the new special effects on Warriors of the Deep with Chris Thompson, and finally, the brilliant Chris Chapman returns to discuss his involvement in three special features across the discs. Phew! It's been a busy week - we hope you enjoy!