Sophie Aldred's Ace Odyssey

There are some mysteries that announce themselves with explosions. Others arrive much more quietly.

The Nosferatu 2.5 continues its impossible voyage, where the familiar laws of time and space have become little more than polite suggestions. Echoes now arrive before the sounds that create them, corridors remember places they have never been, and Hobbes' increasingly concerned scans suggest that the boundaries between memory, story and reality are becoming dangerously indistinct. Somewhere, something is rearranging the order in which events happen.

Returning to the Sofa of Infinite Understanding is the incomparable Sylvester McCoy. When he first stepped aboard the Nosferatu 2.5 there simply wasn't enough time to explore a career as extraordinary as his. This time, however, there is a rather unexpected complication: Sylvester has absolutely no recollection of ever having visited before. As Sophie and Hobbes grapple with the implications, conversation drifts effortlessly through a lifetime of remarkable adventures. From his gloriously anarchic early years with the legendary Ken Campbell, where theatrical convention was joyfully abandoned in favour of organised chaos, to memories of spectacular pratfalls, ferrets where no ferrets were ever intended to be, and the sheer delight of discovering that making people laugh could become a career, Sylvester proves once again why he remains one of Britain's most captivating storytellers.
Along the way come touching recollections of his dear friend and colleague David Rappaport, reflections on friendship, loss and creativity, and the unmistakable warmth that has endeared Sylvester to audiences for decades. There is, of course, some discussion of a certain Time Lord... although whether Sophie and Sylvester ever quite manage to reach Doctor Who before events intervene once again is another matter entirely.

Elsewhere, the Ffantaface welcomes Abbie Foster, whose thoughtful and beautifully crafted social media work has introduced a new generation to the joy, comfort and creativity of Doctor Who. Through TikTok and other platforms, Abbie has built a community founded not simply on nostalgia but on optimism, kindness and imagination, sharing the ways in which the series has helped shape her own life during both its brightest and most challenging moments. Joining Sophie within the ever-shifting currents of the Ffantaface, she reflects on fandom in the digital age, finding your voice through creativity, and how stories have the remarkable ability to arrive precisely when we need them most. In a series where stories are beginning to rewrite reality itself, that feels less like coincidence... and rather more like destiny.

Sophie Aldred's Ace Odyssey stars Sophie Aldred with James Showers as Hobbes.
Special Guests- Sylvester McCoy and Abbie Foster

Abbie's TikTok: abbieinthetardis

You can find us all over your social media.
Bluesky/Instagram/X: @aceodyssey63
Facebook: Sophie Aldred's Ace Odyssey

For listeners who want even more adventure, you can step inside the Ace Odyssey Patreon Community-
*Episodes released early and ad free
*Two exclusive podcasts every month
*Online meet-ups and interactive events
*Direct involvement in the evolving universe of the show
www.patreon.com/aceodyssey

Music by Graeme Allan
Sound Effects & Sound Design by Gavin Rymill
Programme Assistant Liz Whitmore
Written, Produced and Directed by Paul Carmichael

You can follow Graeme Allan on Bluesky @graemeallan and listen to more of his music at www.youtube.com/brassbandit

You can follow Gavin Rymill on Twitter & Bluesky @themindrobber, and you can watch his superb Dr.Who series Terry Nation Army on www.youtube.com/dalek6388

You can follow Paul Carmichael on Bluesky @paulcarmichaeluk and on Threads @paul.carmichael.1213
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Nosferatu 2.5 continues its strange journey beyond the ordinary boundaries of space and time, where corridors refuse to stay in the same place, impossible libraries appear and disappear without warning, and memories seem capable of taking root as though they were living things. As Sophie and Hobbes continue their search for a way home, they discover that the Neverwhen is no empty void. It listens. It remembers. And, perhaps most unsettling of all, it has begun to tell stories of its own.

While Hobbes attempts the impossible task of sending a message across the gulf between universes, Mrs C remains gloriously unconvinced that any amount of tinkering will improve matters. Yet even the smallest signal offers a glimmer of hope. Sometimes the quietest sound can become the beginning of an extraordinary journey.

This week the Time Scoop reaches back to retrieve one of television's true pioneers, Peter Purves. First appearing in Doctor Who as the ill-fated Morton Dill before returning almost immediately as the courageous space pilot Steven Taylor, Peter became one of William Hartnell's most enduring companions, helping establish the adventurous spirit that would define the series for generations to come.

Settling into the Sofa of Infinite Understanding alongside Sophie, Peter reflects on a lifetime of adventures both on and off screen: travelling with the First Doctor, the remarkable chemistry of those early days at the BBC, the enduring appeal of Steven Taylor, and why the greatest journeys are often the ones you never expected to take. It is a conversation filled with warmth, humour and the quiet wisdom of someone who has spent a lifetime exploring, whether by spaceship, climbing rope or children's television camera.

No voyage aboard the Nosferatu 2.5 would be complete without a descent into the shimmering landscape of the Ffantaface, where fandom itself becomes part of the adventure. This week's guide is Erica Lear, founder of the much-loved Fans Like Us community and a familiar, welcoming presence on the convention circuit for more than a quarter of a century. Through countless events, gatherings and charitable endeavours, Erica has helped create spaces where friendships flourish, newcomers become lifelong fans, and the shared love of Doctor Who transcends generations. Joining Sophie within the ever-changing currents of the Ffantaface, she reflects on the simple truth that fandom is about far more than television programmes. It is about people, community, kindness and the extraordinary families we sometimes discover for ourselves. In a universe where stories are beginning to reshape reality, that may prove to be the most powerful story of all.

Sophie Aldred's Ace Odyssey stars Sophie Aldred with James Showers as Hobbes.
Special Guests- Peter Purves and Erica Lear

Perer's Facebook: Peter John Purves

Erica's Instagram: tony_slattery_official / erica_lear_

You can find us all over your social media.
Bluesky/Instagram/X: @aceodyssey63
Facebook: Sophie Aldred's Ace Odyssey

For listeners who want even more adventure, you can step inside the Ace Odyssey Patreon Community-
*Episodes released early and ad free
*Two exclusive podcasts every month
*Online meet-ups and interactive events
*Direct involvement in the evolving universe of the show
www.patreon.com/aceodyssey

Music by Graeme Allan
Sound Effects & Sound Design by Gavin Rymill
Programme Assistant Liz Whitmore
Written, Produced and Directed by Paul Carmichael

You can follow Graeme Allan on Bluesky @graemeallan and listen to more of his music at www.youtube.com/brassbandit

You can follow Gavin Rymill on Twitter & Bluesky @themindrobber, and you can watch his superb Dr.Who series Terry Nation Army on www.youtube.com/dalek6388

You can follow Paul Carmichael on Bluesky @paulcarmichaeluk and on Threads @paul.carmichael.1213
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Nosferatu 2.5 is changing.

Following the devastating collision with another version of itself, Sophie's beloved ship has emerged somewhere beyond the familiar boundaries of time and space, where certainty is becoming an increasingly rare commodity. New corridors seem to appear overnight, echoes linger just a little too long, and an impossible wall of ancient brickwork now stands where polished steel should be. Stranger still, somewhere beyond it all, a clock has begun counting backwards. Whether these are symptoms of damage or signs of something far older awakening aboard the ship remains uncertain, but Sophie, Hobbes and Mrs C are determined to uncover the truth before reality itself slips through their fingers.

This week's unexpected visitor is one of Doctor Who's most enduring stars, Louise Jameson. Best known to generations of viewers as the fearless Leela, Louise transformed one of the series' most iconic companions into a character remembered for her intelligence, courage and uncompromising spirit. Across an extraordinary career spanning television, theatre, film and audio drama, she has continually reinvented herself while remaining a much-loved figure within the Doctor Who family. Joining Sophie on the Sofa of Infinite Understanding, Louise reflects on nearly five decades of adventures through time and space, the lasting legacy of Leela, life beyond Gallifrey, and the friendships that have grown from a programme which continues to inspire audiences around the world.

Elsewhere, the Ffantaface opens its shimmering portal to another remarkable member of the Doctor Who community. This week's guest is Mike Rymill, lifelong fan, meticulous researcher and one of the hobby's most accomplished prop builders. Having watched Doctor Who from the very beginning, Mike has spent decades recreating some of the programme's most recognisable artefacts, constructing so many TARDISes over the years that even he has lost count. Widely respected for his unrivalled knowledge of the original Metropolitan Police Box and the real-world history behind television's most famous time machine, Mike joins Sophie to explore the craftsmanship, dedication and extraordinary attention to detail that have helped bring Doctor Who's universe to life far beyond the television screen. Together they celebrate the ingenuity of a fandom that has always believed that, with enough imagination, and perhaps a little plywood and blue paint, the impossible can become wonderfully real.

Sophie Aldred's Ace Odyssey stars Sophie Aldred with James Showers as Hobbes.
Special Guests- Louise Jameson and Mike Rymill

You can find us all over your social media.
Bluesky/Instagram/X: @aceodyssey63
Facebook: Sophie Aldred's Ace Odyssey

For listeners who want even more adventure, you can step inside the Ace Odyssey Patreon Community-
*Episodes released early and ad free
*Two exclusive podcasts every month
*Online meet-ups and interactive events
*Direct involvement in the evolving universe of the show
www.patreon.com/aceodyssey

Music by Graeme Allan
Sound Effects & Sound Design by Gavin Rymill
Programme Assistant Liz Whitmore
Written, Produced and Directed by Paul Carmichael

You can follow Graeme Allan on Bluesky @graemeallan and listen to more of his music at www.youtube.com/brassbandit

You can follow Gavin Rymill on Twitter & Bluesky @themindrobber, and you can watch his superb Dr.Who series Terry Nation Army on www.youtube.com/dalek6388

You can follow Paul Carmichael on Bluesky @paulcarmichaeluk and on Threads @paul.carmichael.1213
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re back…and it really is about time!

Following the catastrophic collision between two versions of the Nosferatu 2.5, Sophie Aldred has been left stranded somewhere that exists beyond the ordinary rules of space and time. The ship has survived, after a fashion, but its familiar corridors are beginning to change. Strange echoes linger in the air, impossible patches of ancient brickwork have appeared where polished bulkheads once stood, and somewhere deep within the vessel a clock has started ticking… backwards. Exactly where the Nosferatu is, or indeed when, remains anyone’s guess, but one thing is already becoming clear: something is quietly rewriting reality itself.

Thankfully, some things remain reassuringly familiar. Hobbes continues his unwavering campaign in defence of etiquette, order and properly observed procedure, despite the universe’s increasing reluctance to cooperate, while Mrs C remains on hand to provide telepathic commentary of a decidedly less diplomatic variety. Together with Sophie, they set out to discover what has happened to their beloved ship before the mystery surrounding a certain unopened door grows into something far more unsettling.

This week, the Time Scoop latches onto one of Doctor Who’s greatest champions: actor, comedian, writer, broadcaster and historian Toby Hadoke. Equally at home on stage, behind a microphone or interviewing the stars of Doctor Who before packed convention audiences, Toby has spent decades celebrating the series and preserving its remarkable history. His encyclopaedic knowledge is matched only by his infectious enthusiasm, making him one of fandom’s most recognisable and respected voices. Once safely retrieved aboard the Nosferatu 2.5, Toby joins Sophie on the Sofa of Infinite Understanding for a warm, funny and deeply affectionate conversation spanning acting, comedy, conventions, fandom and a lifetime spent travelling through time and space, if only by television.

Meanwhile, the mysterious Ffantaface once again opens a window onto the extraordinary people who keep Doctor Who fandom thriving. This week’s traveller is comedian, broadcaster, author and lifelong Doctor Who devotee Robin Ince, best known as co-host of BBC Radio 4’s The Infinite Monkey Cage. Whether exploring science, scepticism, comedy or the simple joy of being gloriously enthusiastic about the things we love, Robin has built a career around curiosity. Joining Sophie within the ever-changing landscape of the Ffantaface, he reflects on imagination, fandom, creativity and why Doctor Who continues to inspire generations of dreamers, thinkers and storytellers.

Sophie Aldred's Ace Odyssey stars Sophie Aldred with James Showers as Hobbes.
Special Guests- Toby Hadoke and Robin Ince

You can find us all over your social media.
Bluesky/Instagram/X: @aceodyssey63
Facebook: Sophie Aldred's Ace Odyssey

Toby's Twitter: @TobyHadoke / @HadokePodcasts Toby's Bluesky: @tobyhadoke
Robin's Bluesky: @RobinInce Robin's Instagram: robinince1969

For listeners who want even more adventure, you can step inside the Ace Odyssey Patreon Community-
*Episodes released early and ad free
*Two exclusive podcasts every month
*Online meet-ups and interactive events
*Direct involvement in the evolving universe of the show
www.patreon.com/aceodyssey

Music by Graeme Allan
Sound Effects & Sound Design by Gavin Rymill
Programme Assistant Liz Whitmore
Written, Produced and Directed by Paul Carmichael

You can follow Graeme Allan on Bluesky @graemeallan and listen to more of his music at www.youtube.com/brassbandit

You can follow Gavin Rymill on Twitter & Bluesky @themindrobber, and you can watch his superb Dr.Who series Terry Nation Army on www.youtube.com/dalek6388

You can follow Paul Carmichael on Bluesky @paulcarmichaeluk and on Threads @paul.carmichael.1213
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.