He escaped Darth Vader's death hold, but on Tuesday Death Star commander Admiral Motti died at the age of 66.

Character actor Richard LeParmentier, who played the hapless Imperial officer, died unexpectedly on Tuesday morning in Austin, Texas while visiting his children.

The cause of death was not immediately known.

LeParmentier was born in Pittsburgh, but moved to Britain in 1974 and had been living in Bath, when he died.

As Admiral Motti in 1977's Star Wars, LeParmentier's character mocks Vader's "sad devotion to that ancient Jedi religion."

Vader responds with a demonstration, using the force to choke the young commander, but allowing him to live.

LeParmentier appeared frequently in British television roles throughout his career and was working as a screenwriter when he died.

He played a reporter in 1980's Superman II, which featured actress Sarah Dougless - the villainess Ursa - with whom he was married from 1981 until 1984.

But it was for his Star Wars role that LeParmentier may best be remembered as an actor.

"He absolutely loved traveling the world and meeting his friends and fellow Stars Wars fans, whose tributes have given us all the best lines in this message," LeParmentier's family said in a statement.

"He was no respecter of convention, except comic conventions," said Rhiannon, Stephanie and Tyrone LeParmentier.

"Every time we find someone's lack of faith disturbing, we'll think of him," they said.

Doctor Who and sexy sidekick Clara roar down the side of London's Shard - on a motorbike.

It's just one of the sensational scenes coming up as the telly Timelord celebrates the big five-oh.

In fact, actor Matt Smith says fans can look forward to it being the "biggest, best, most inventive and most exciting year for the show" as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.

The first episode of the new series hits television screens next month and sees the timelord defy gravity by roaring up and down the Shard building on a motorcycle.

A special 3D anniversary show will also be broadcast in November but Smith and co-star Jenna-Louise Coleman, who plays Clara Oswald, are remaining tight-lipped about what viewers can expect.

Smith says he clapped when he read the script.

"It sort of does what it says on the tin," he grins. "You won't be disappointed!

"I think it's hilarious, I think it's epic and I think it's fast, and I'm telling you nothing more - but you will NOT be disappointed.

"I think it's going to be the biggest, best, most inventive and most exciting year for the show and I think this script delivers on all those points that you want it to for where the show is at this time, it's brilliant."

Jenna-Louise adds: "It pays homage to the last 50 years of the show and kind of really celebrates that, but at the same time as looking forward."

The pair have been speaking at a special screening of the first episode of series eight in London.

The Bells of St John is described as a modern day urban thriller and sees the duo battling a new adversary, the Spoonheads, against a backdrop of London landmarks including Westminster Bridge and the Shard as they discover something sinister lurking in the Wi-Fi.

Matt says: "It's sort of Doctor Who meets the Bourne Identity with motorcycles. We've got Celia Imrie being saucy and sexy, we have got aliens in your Wi-Fi, Westminster, the Shard, London in the present day, with the Tardis in the middle of it."

He says he thought Coleman had made a "brilliant" start in her role as Clara.

"She's inventive, she works tirelessly hard. And I'm really proud of what she's achieved," he adds.

"After the Ponds I think the doctor was a little blue. I think she's re-ignited his curiosity in the universe and her impossibility has sort of awakened his mind and his soul and that's something that we'll see grow and evolve as the series continues."

Former Emmerdale star Jenna-Louise says she has already had a "wonderful" time on the show.

"It's such a unique job," she smiles. "I can honestly say there really is no job like Doctor Who. You can be a big kid at work and run down the corridors being chased by monsters and the scripts are just absolutely fantastic."

Speaking of Matt, she adds: "He's just an absolute genuine joy, he's been absolutely so supportive and totally and utterly there for me and he's a really good friend."

Executive producer and lead writer Steven Moffat says the new series will see Doctor Who's biggest secret revealed.

"We're not kidding, we are actually going to do it, we're going to reveal his biggest secret," he says.

Our money is on his real name, something River Song already knows ...

And will the big anniversary episode feature ALL the Time Lord's incarnations, as we've predicted in the past?

No-one's saying. We'll take that as a good sign...

But have you seen the extended Japanese teaser?

Doesn't that final scene seem, well, rather familiar?

We're thinking the death of Spock in Wrath of Khan.

How about you?

Former Doctor Who star David Tennant is making a return to the RSC stage in Stratford-on-Avon, it was announced today.

Tennant, who won over audiences at the RSC in Stratford-Upon-Avon in 2009 when performing Hamlet and in Love's Labour's Lost, will star in Richard II.

The production forms part of new RSC artistic director Gregory Doran's 2013 winter season, who will also direct the history play.

Richard II is the first production in a new cycle of Shakespeare History plays that Gregory Doran will direct over the coming seasons.

The relationship between Tennant and Doran follows on from the hugely successful production of Hamlet in 2009, which was also filmed for BBC television by Illuminations.

Oliver Ford Davies, who also appeared in Hamlet alongside Tennant will be joining him in Richard II.

Tennant, who is now an RSC board member, officially announced he was leaving Doctor Who whilst he was appearing in Stratford.

But he is widely expected to make a guest appearance in the 50th anniversary Dr Who adventure to be broadcast by the Beeb in November, alongside other past Doctors.

The new RSC season announced today also includes the world premiere of Wendy & Peter Pan and the world premiere adaptations of Hilary Mantel's award-winning novels Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies by Mike Poulton.

Richard II will run from October 10 to November 16.

A host of leading science fiction writers are to do readings and talks at the National Space Centre in Leicester.

In a strong bill headlined by Brian Aldiss and Peter F. Hamilton, they'll be taking part in a February half-term festival at the venue.

Says spokeswoman Malika Andress: "From The First Men in the Moon to the Hitch-hikers' Guide To The Galaxy, science fiction has transported, tantalised and terrified us with visions of technologically advanced futures and far-flung worlds.

"In the era of Kindle, Twitter and Audible, the way we enjoy science-fiction might have changed, but the stories remain as compelling as ever.

"The National Space Centre will be celebrating the history; past, present and future of Science Fiction during February half-term with a jam-packed programme of special guests, fun activities and a special competition where you get to decide which is the 'Best Science Fiction Book of All Time!'

"Each day we will have science fiction authors presenting readings form their books and discussing the appeal of science fiction."

Authors booked to appear between February 9 and 24 so far include:

Brian Aldiss
Peter F. Hamilton
Kim Lakin-Smith
Ian Whates
Gareth Powell
Alex Keller
Steven Munzer
Steve Smallman
Alastair Reynolds
Benjamin Hendy
Ben Arronovitch
Bali Rai
Ian Sales
Chris Beckett
Philip Palmer
Jonathon L. Howard
Kim Curran
Adam Christopher
Steve Cole
Kit Cox

"We are going to be joined by some of the best authors, screenwriters and illustrators working in the UK today," says Malika. "This is obviously a very exciting event for the Centre to host.

"But more importantly, the authors represent children's, teen and adult science fiction, so there will be something for all our visitors to enjoy."

Visitors can also win tickets in advance by championing a book on the Centre's website - www.spacecentre.co.uk/spacefiction

The National Space Centre is the UK's largest visitor attraction and research facility dedicated to space. It opened to the public in June 2001 and has welcomed more than two million visitors, including over 450,000 school children.

The Millennium Commission landmark project for the East Midlands, the Space Centre was co-founded by The University of Leicester and Leicester City Council. Its other founding partners are BT and East Midlands Development Agency.

They're still deciding just who will be in the big 50th anniversary TV storyline to celebrate Doctor Who's half century.

But in the meantime, there's exciting news nonetheless.

The actors who played Doctors Four thorough Eight - Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy and Paul McGann - will all be participating in Big Finish's audio drama Doctor Who: The Light at the End.

And although William Hartnell,. Patrick Troughton and Jon Pertwee are sadly no longer with us, the first three Doctors will be involved in the story as well.

The Doctors will be up against the Master, voiced by Geoffrey Beevers, who played the Master to Tom Baker's Doctor No 4.

Nicholas Briggs is writing the drama, which will surface in November to coincide with the anniversary celebrations.

"We wanted to do a proper, fully-fledged multi-Doctor story for this very special occasion," he says.

"It's wonderful that all the surviving classic Doctors threw themselves behind the project so enthusiastically.

"That's not to say the first three Doctors don't appear, too - we wanted to pay homage to the whole history of the classic series."

The Light at the End will have its fair share of Classic companions, too.

Step forward Louise Jameson (Leela), Sarah Sutton (Nyssa), Nicola Bryant (Peri Brown), Sophie Aldred (Ace) and India Fisher (Charley Pollard) among the cast.

"There will be a number of appearances from some much-cherished old friends from the TV series," adds producer David Richardson.

So just what was it that android David said to the drowsy Engineer that caused chaos?

It's the question we all want answered after puzzling over the pivotal Prometheus moment.

And the news is that only two people know for sure - director Ridley Scott and screenwriter Damon Lindelof.

Apparently Lost legend Lindelof wanted to use subtitles so we could understand what went down.

But Scott, with an eye on the sequel no doubt, refused - leaving us all wondering what went wrong.

"David's dialogue with the Engineer has an English translation," admits Lindelof. "But Ridley felt very strongly about not subtitling it."

So we'll have to wait until the second instalment or, at the very least, the DVD commentary.

We saw Prometheus at Birmingham's Giant Screen Cinema, which lives up to its name as the biggest screen in the city, and offers a digital picture sharper than its IMAX predecessor.

The planet Prometheus landed on looked sensational on the big screen, and the thunder of the ship's engines made the seats shudder.

Our overall verdict: good rather than great.

Prometheus lacks the tension of Alien or the gung-ho action of Aliens, preferring to build the series mythology.

Michael Fassbender steals every scene as subtly sinister David but Noomi Rapace's Dr Elizabeth Shaw (named after the third Doctor Who's companion) is no Sigourney Weaver.

We loved the attention to detail and the references to the Alien universe, particularly Scott's tantalising teases (admit it, you expected Shaw to get into one of the spacesuits).

And, although we won't spoil the ending, we reckon they should have cut to black at the first sign of trouble - and left the rest to our imagination. Would have been far scarier!

Celebrated and award-winning fantasy author Graham Joyce will be visiting the The Birmingham Science Fiction Group in June.

Graham has won the British Fantasy Society Best Novel award for Dark Sister (1993), Requiem (1996), The Tooth Fairy (1997) and Indigo (2000).

He has also authored 15 other novels and three collections of short stories.

Born in a mining village near Coventry and educated in Bedworth, Graham went on to graduate with a Masters in modern English and American literature from Leicester.

He has lived and worked on the Greek Islands of Lesbos and Crete, and has travelled the Middle East.

He now teaches writing at Nottingham Trent University, as well as continuing to write.

Graham will be giving an insight into his work on June 8 at the Briar Rose Hotel on Bennett's Hill, Birmingham;.

It's only five minutes' walk from New Street Station and handy for all bus routes. The meeting opens its doors at 7:30pm.

The group itself has many members of all ages, and between them the membership has an enormous wealth of knowledge of literary SF, as well as films, television, etc.

If you're a newbie, just let them know when you turn up and they'll be happy to introduce you to the group and make you feel welcome.

If you'd like a copy of the monthly newsletter e-mail bhamsfgroup@yahoo.co.uk

And have a look at their website here.

Vic Mignogna (Image via RottenTomatoes.com)

Vic Mignogna and Aaron Dismuke, best known for voicing Ed. and Al. Elric in hit anime Fullmetal Alchemist, have both been confirmed for the 31 March-1 April show.

As well as playing Ed. Elric, the multi-talented Vic Mignogna has appeared in host of major anime series, from Broly in the Dragon Ball Z films to Ikkaku Madarame in Bleach to Tamaki in Ouran High School Host Club. Other shows featuring Vic include Vampire Knight; Soul Eater; Naruto Shippuden; Hetalia: Axis Powers; Full Metal Panic! and Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle.

Aaron Dismuke has been a voice actor since he was nine, taking on roles such as Hiro Sohma in Fruits Basket; Ouri Kagami in Corpse Princess and Leon Elliot in Black Cat. Other anime that Aaron has appeared in include Trinity Blood; Ouran High School Host Club; Big Windup! and YuYu Hakusho.

Aaron and Vic will be meeting fans at the MCM Birmingham Comic Con on the weekend of 31 March - 1 April.

The brand new Birmingham Comic Con will run alongside the long-established Memorabilia show at the NEC - there's no need to choose between them, though, as ticket holders for either event will have access to the other show free of charge!

To buy tickets to the MCM Birmingham Comic Con and Memorabilia Birmingham, visit: https://www.mcmexpostore.com/store/

"Of all the cartoons of my childhood, there was one which held a strange fascination and still does. For a kid who loved sci-fi, ancient myth and electro-synth, Ulysses 31 was all you could wish for at 4.30 of an afternoon."

The memory of one of the greatest animated series ever was so strong, Dermot grew up & made this amazing live action intro!

Read more on Dermot's fascination with Ulysses 31 here.

The Winter Memorabilia Show at the NEC this month is offering a star-studded line from film, TV and sport.

Doctor Who/Torchwwod's Colin Baker (The Sixth Doctor), Arthur Darvill (Rory Williams), Kai Owen (Rhys Williams) and Sir Derek Jacobi (the Master) will be among the sci-fi special guests meeting fans and signing autographs.

Kai Owen (Rhys Williams) shows how it's done

I posted this last year but damn it, I'm going to post it again.

It harks back to a more innocent age before our hopes and dreams were crushed by Jar Jar, jumping Yodas and midichlorians...

Construction of a multi-million pound Doctor Who attraction has begun in Cardiff, where the series is filmed.

Cardiff council is spending £2 million to construct a permanent home for the Doctor Who Experience, which is due to relocate from London's Olympia.

The attraction, which will be run by BBC Worldwide, will rise up alongside the new BBC drama village in Cardiff Bay.The head of a Cyberman - one of the Doctor's deadliest enemies - was excavated at a groundbreaking ceremony yesterday at Porth Teigr.

The Experience will invite visitors on a journey through time and space, combining a walk- through adventure with the largest exhibition ever assembled of sets, props and memorabilia from the series.

This includes special effects, new footage of Matt Smith, a recreation of today's Tardis and a 3D finale, as well as original costumes, a full-scale recreation of two Tardis sets from previous eras, and numerous monsters, including several generations of the Daleks.

Council leader Rodney Berman said: "I'm delighted that the council has managed to bring the Doctor Who Experience to Cardiff and in digging the first piece of earth we will be marking the start of the work on this fantastic new attraction.

"It is set to bring millions of pounds into the city's economy, and the benefits to Cardiff will be immense in tourism terms."

High-concept story? Check. Nice lady telling you what's going on? Check. Jaunty tune? Check.

Quantum Leap manages to tell you more in its first two minutes than Manimal did in its half-hour preamble.

It's a great series but while this blog is all about the intros, I have to mention the ending.

The finale of Quantum Leap was one of the most daring, and downbeat, final chapters on mainstream telly. Good show!

We're staying with short-lived 80s sci-fi this week with the ludicrous Automan.

The intro credits couldn't be more of their time if they were dressed up in a Frankie t-shirt playing the Rubik's cube.

Allarmingly, and I must have missed this as a young lad watching it, Automan himself appears to be a bit of a perv.

Perhaps he was the forerunner of the internet!