July 2026
13 - On their X, FIF announce that two more film collections have been catalogued. Among the material discovered is a scene from a missing episode of a 1967 Petula Clark broadcast on the BBC, featuring The Dudley Moore Trio.
16 - On YouTube, FIF release a short video featuring Tim Burrows of the DWMEPC speaking on the topic of cutting copies - and how "loads" of copies of Doctor Who episodes could have been made.
17 - On their FB, FIF announce that at the screening of The Daleks' Master Plan at Phoenix Cinema, Leicester on 15 August 2026, two former BBC editors will join a discussion panel to further clarify the BBC's processes around cutting copies.
August 2026
4 - On their FB, FIF announce that at the Leicester screening of DMP 1-3 on 15 August, a discussion panel will feature former BBC editor Robert Maynard as a special guest. Robert will talk among other things about his knowledge of cutting copies, and the panel will be recorded and made available on the FIF Patreon and YouTube.
5 - In a reply to a comment, FIF state on their FB that "there is a chance" more missing Doctor Who will be returned to the BBC in the future.
6 - FIF announce that a second special guest, former BBC editor Simon Chambers, will feature on the discussion panel at Leicester.
7 - In an email to supporters, FIF advise that on 15 July, at BBC Archives, the prints of the following episodes of Doctor Who were handed over:
Doctor Who: The Web Planet
Doctor Who: The Executioners
Doctor Who: The Nightmare Begins
Doctor Who: Devil’s Planet
Although two other episodes of Doctor Who were found at the same time as these, only those listed were of higher quality than what was already held.
Also handed back were the finds of The Beatles at Top of the Pops, the episode of Once More with Felix, an episode of Morecambe & Wise and more.
8 - On PMF, Servorobot speculates on the role of BBC Sydney in producing cutting copies, given that the ABC censors made many cuts to episodes of Doctor Who.
15 - In a post reporting from the screening at HOME in Leicester, GB member steven.walton says FIF have reiterated that they are "aware of more episodes in other collections" - however, these collections are not as vulnerable as others, and FIF will get to them "when they can".
Also, FIF do not have any episodes currently.
17 - On their FB, the Radio Times posts a short piece featuring son of second Doctor, Michael Troughton, expressing his wish to have The Power of the Daleks found and returned.
24 - Peter Purves interviews FIF in the latest episode of his podcast. In it, the team describe the origin of FIF in 2023 and the background of the role of De Montfort University in the team.
John Franklin refers to the two DMP episodes, in that they formed part of an "inherited" collection from a deceased collector when they were obtained by the late gentleman who had them when FIF found them. John says this is common, and often accounts for why collectors don't know what they have.
John also says that many late film collectors' families were often happy to see the collections disposed of (i.e., thrown out), due to concerns over the films' provenance and any possible legal ramifications. John also says the very first collection they removed from a premises held missing episodes of The Likely Lads and Sykes.
Sue Malden talks about the role of Enid Mawson in preserving archive material, that it was a good relationship between the two ladies.
September 2026
4 - On their YT, FIF post a short video on their return of six episodes of Doctor Who to the BBC.
9 - On their YT, FIF post an excerpt from an interview with John Franklin, in which it's revealed that it was John himself who on examining the film collection that first discovered the missing episodes of Doctor Who.
11 - On their FB, in a post about the find and return of missing segments from The Frost Report (featuring Ronnie Barker and John Cleese), FIF state that "a host of missing and rare items" will be returned to the BBC "at the end of September".
tim burrows is remarkably well informed. the problem is the amount of time that has gone by since these cutting copies were made and the fact that this info has only come out now in 2026. imagine if it had of come out in 1983. far more likely more material would have been tracked down and extremely bad luck that episode 4 of DMP was NOT in the batch of cutting copy film cans.
ReplyDeleteDoctor who is the most documented tv show of all time, i think that the issue of finding stuff is less that people arent motivated and more that this kind of stuff isnt easy to find. Like who wouldve expected a train collector to have missing DMP?
Deleteit seems certain at least one more dr who missing episode has been found but the info has not leaked out yet. will it be an historical or will it be another sci fi episode.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I've felt like we're in one of those "lulls" for weeks now, feels like something is coming down the pipeline. Even after DMP was announced I already felt we might get a little something else before the year is out. Here's hoping
Deleteyes once again it seems like it will be via film is fabulous but I would like to see if an episode turns up from elsewhere. going by all the information I would expect some announcement around november/december
ReplyDeleteinteresting there was an older article interview with john franklin where a hartnell dalek episode is mentioned and then he said the info is not correct and he was misquoted and yet later it turned out to be true. so the dalek masterplan find nearly got leaked earlier on but they were indicating one episode and not the two that eventually were found.so far no other near leaks have happened yet.
ReplyDeleteFor context to anyone reading the other two episodes were The Survivors and The Escape from The Daleks 1963 which isnt too surprising as I think we’ve hit the ceiling when it comes to that serial’s print quality as it’s probably the one we have the most prints of
ReplyDeleteYes, thank you - in reference to the 7 August entry.
Deletethe sensesphere anonymous source is reportably saying multiple doctor who episodes but I replied that unless you know this source well then it could be just speculation and it has gone quiet again. we are also waiting for FIF to publish that full list of various bbc tv shows with 70. hopefully by xmas all will be revealed
ReplyDeleteWe can only hope
DeleteLooking at the update from Aug 15. The fact that they don't seem to be in a rush to get their hands on eps is a bit aggravating (especially because I was very so slightly optimistic we'd get something else by the end of this year) but also probably for the best if FiF want to maintain their status as preservationists and not treasure hunters. Plus the fact that episodes do still exist and that they're not running the risk of getting chucked out into a bin anytime soon is excellent news.
ReplyDeletethese collections are not as vulnerable as others, and FIF will get to them "when they can". NOT AS VULNERABLE does that mean FIF can get hold of these episodes anytime they want? if so why wait.? unless of course they already have them.
ReplyDeleteBecause their workload is punishing. Tim Burrows posted a video on his Patreon from the recent DMP screening in which he says they ate basically working all day and into nights carting films around the country and attempting to catalogue it all. And of course, if there's no immediate justification to obtain films they have no choice but to de-prioritise. As always it's a waiting game, all we can do is support them if possible and be patient. Which is hard, I know!
Deletewhat would be good is if they could report the number of dr who episodes. it may only be another 2 for example or if 4, 6 or 8 then why not just say the number. I think fans can rule out a FULL story being recovered. it will most likely be a certain amount of single episodes but after 13 years of waiting any found episodes is a miracle as was the case with the 2 masterplan episodes.
ReplyDeleteI too am somewhat surprised that no one asked follow up questions, but I guess it's a case of keeping a respectful distance and not pressing them for details. Which is a shame, but understandable
Deletethey have been saying 6 episodes for some time. not FIF but others have been saying that for years but it you add on the 2 masterplan eps then that makes 8
ReplyDeleteAll we know is that it's at least 2 eps and probably somewhere up to around 5 or 6.
Deleteyes it would be great if they gave out an exact number of dr who episodes at least that way fans could have some fun guessing what those episodes actually might be. although many have been guessing for the last 5 years. the masterplan episodes kind of got leaked earlier and then strong denial so it will be interesting if any episodes get leaked or strongly rumoured before another actual return happens.
ReplyDeletethose new FIF youtube videos are frustrating not allowing comments and only showing surviving prints being returned. how about showing a MISSING dr who being returned. not the recent DMP 1 and 3 but something new as we know there is at least one more and turning on the comments for the reactions. that would be an exciting way to reveal it.maybe they might do that at the end of this year.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know if the two Hartnells Paul Vanezis has known for a while are both S3?
ReplyDeleteyes as far as been revealed both series 3 but the exact episodes are not known and he says he has only seen the cans. do we believe that? you would think he would be BEGGING to see the two episodes and most likely he has seen them.
ReplyDeletePaul has seen the recordings; all that’s left is to wait. Who knows? Maybe next year we’ll see more recoveries. I’m really hoping something from the Second Doctor turns up—even if it were just one of the episodes from The Underwater Menace or The Space Pirates, I’d be thrilled. The Film is Fabulous team will keep us updated via their videos and social media posts. I’d love for something else to be found this year, but if not, I’m happy that we’ve at least recovered two episodes.
ReplyDeleteYes, I don't think there will be anything else this year, but another 2 - 3 years there will almost definitely be something uncovered.
Deleteyes FIF were VERY lucky to get those 2 DMP episodes. even if it had of been one episode but to find two is truly amazing.
ReplyDeleteTHIS IS LISTED ONLINE. original 16mm film recording will be returned to the BBC by Film is Fabulous! with a host of other missing and rare items, at the end of September." note the wording. a HOST of items-so DR WHO would have to be included with the other items.
ReplyDeleteWhere is that? And why do you think Who has to be part of that? I mean, I certainly hope so but why are you so certain?
DeleteOh ok I've seen where it says that - big jump to assume that will be any Who though
DeleteAgreed - to assume a missing Who would be included amongst tons of shows and films is an enormous leap.
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