Matthew Kilburn
@matthewkilburn.bsky.social
Freelance writer, editor and consulting historian - Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Doctor Who Magazine - and Alzheimer's carer. Ex-History of Parliament, also liable to write about North-East England and Oxford as well as television.
Paul's work on Whirligig is part of a larger project to uncover the early years of Saturday afternoon television and the first BBC TV Children's Department:
An article, a video, and a new book announcement!
My latest blog entry, announcing the publication next year of my new book When Saturday Came and talking about some related bits and pieces.
My latest blog entry, announcing the publication next year of my new book When Saturday Came and talking about some related bits and pieces.
Another Saturday in November 1950
The blog of writer and radio producer Paul Hayes.
notanovelistyet.blogspot.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Paul's work on Whirligig is part of a larger project to uncover the early years of Saturday afternoon television and the first BBC TV Children's Department:
An enlightening account of children's entertainment of yore, as Paul Hayes reveals much hitherto obscure about 1950s BBC series Whirligig: www.bbc.co.uk/historyofthe...
Whirligig
A tribute to a much-loved Saturday teatime children's favourite, 75 years on.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 11:28 PM
An enlightening account of children's entertainment of yore, as Paul Hayes reveals much hitherto obscure about 1950s BBC series Whirligig: www.bbc.co.uk/historyofthe...
Reposted by Matthew Kilburn
I want David Lammy to read this particular case. I want him to understand what it means.
November 25, 2025 at 9:35 PM
I want David Lammy to read this particular case. I want him to understand what it means.
Reposted by Matthew Kilburn
"My beloved working class" - i.e. the one that exists in his head, but in real life has always rejected this particularly ugly strain of 'you don't deserve commercial television, nice holidays or little luxuries' whenever Labour have taken it to the public.
November 24, 2025 at 11:44 PM
"My beloved working class" - i.e. the one that exists in his head, but in real life has always rejected this particularly ugly strain of 'you don't deserve commercial television, nice holidays or little luxuries' whenever Labour have taken it to the public.
Reposted by Matthew Kilburn
A special one for Doctor Who Day: a great long post on the novelisation of one of the best stories ever, Genesis of the Daleks: 0tralala.blogspot.com/2025/11/doct... #books #booksky #doctorwho
Doctor Who and the Genesis of the Daleks, by Terrance Dicks
0tralala.blogspot.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:43 PM
A special one for Doctor Who Day: a great long post on the novelisation of one of the best stories ever, Genesis of the Daleks: 0tralala.blogspot.com/2025/11/doct... #books #booksky #doctorwho
Reposted by Matthew Kilburn
The Evolution of Film is Fabulous!
Film is Fabulous! has changed in 2025. It’s transitioned to a trust with charitable aims, which can now accept donations from our supporters. The change provides structure and a long-term plan.
filmisfabulous.org.uk/the-evolutio...
Film is Fabulous! has changed in 2025. It’s transitioned to a trust with charitable aims, which can now accept donations from our supporters. The change provides structure and a long-term plan.
filmisfabulous.org.uk/the-evolutio...
November 24, 2025 at 12:00 PM
The Evolution of Film is Fabulous!
Film is Fabulous! has changed in 2025. It’s transitioned to a trust with charitable aims, which can now accept donations from our supporters. The change provides structure and a long-term plan.
filmisfabulous.org.uk/the-evolutio...
Film is Fabulous! has changed in 2025. It’s transitioned to a trust with charitable aims, which can now accept donations from our supporters. The change provides structure and a long-term plan.
filmisfabulous.org.uk/the-evolutio...
Reposted by Matthew Kilburn
Happy 62nd anniversary to Doctor Who!
Almost 41 years ago, the Fifth Doctor. To celebrate the @dwasonline.bsky.social have published an appreciation of everything Fifth Doctor.
Expect snakes, demons, chicken things, warriors and malus aforethought.
Contents list below. Take a look!
Almost 41 years ago, the Fifth Doctor. To celebrate the @dwasonline.bsky.social have published an appreciation of everything Fifth Doctor.
Expect snakes, demons, chicken things, warriors and malus aforethought.
Contents list below. Take a look!
Celestial Toyroom Annual | DWAS Online
It is important to note that when purchasing a copy of the Annual you are buying the product from the Lulu website, not the DWAS website. Any issues that you may have with your order should be directed only to Lulu.
www.dwasonline.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Happy 62nd anniversary to Doctor Who!
Almost 41 years ago, the Fifth Doctor. To celebrate the @dwasonline.bsky.social have published an appreciation of everything Fifth Doctor.
Expect snakes, demons, chicken things, warriors and malus aforethought.
Contents list below. Take a look!
Almost 41 years ago, the Fifth Doctor. To celebrate the @dwasonline.bsky.social have published an appreciation of everything Fifth Doctor.
Expect snakes, demons, chicken things, warriors and malus aforethought.
Contents list below. Take a look!
Reposted by Matthew Kilburn
Whenever I see Andreesen, Yarvin, Thiel et al opening their dumb yaps I think of this scene from “Robot”
November 23, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Whenever I see Andreesen, Yarvin, Thiel et al opening their dumb yaps I think of this scene from “Robot”
Reposted by Matthew Kilburn
“No-one will want to rewatch this stuff. Junk the lot of it.”
#DoctorWhoDay
#DoctorWhoDay
November 23, 2025 at 6:12 PM
“No-one will want to rewatch this stuff. Junk the lot of it.”
#DoctorWhoDay
#DoctorWhoDay
Reposted by Matthew Kilburn
This chiefly is about corruption of #Christianity, but it also addresses other concerns.
"Trump has managed to turn America’s idea of itself entirely upside down. And he has done it with the active consent of an entire political party."
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
"Trump has managed to turn America’s idea of itself entirely upside down. And he has done it with the active consent of an entire political party."
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
They’re doing to America what they did to Christianity | Bill McKibben
Trump’s wrecking-ball approach to America has a precedent: the evangelical perversion of Jesus’s message of radical love to one of hate and aggression
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:54 PM
This chiefly is about corruption of #Christianity, but it also addresses other concerns.
"Trump has managed to turn America’s idea of itself entirely upside down. And he has done it with the active consent of an entire political party."
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
"Trump has managed to turn America’s idea of itself entirely upside down. And he has done it with the active consent of an entire political party."
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
Reposted by Matthew Kilburn
My important contribution to #DoctorWho Day.
A complete history of the history of Doctor Who
On November 1963 – coincidentally, just a day after the assassination of President Kennedy – British viewers sat down to watch a new science fiction programme designed to fill the grandstand at Juk…
interestingmedia.blog
November 23, 2025 at 5:40 PM
My important contribution to #DoctorWho Day.
Reposted by Matthew Kilburn
Exactly 62 years ago, the very first episode of #DoctorWho had just finished. But what was on for the rest of the evening? Here's the actual BBC Television schedule for the rest of the night, with the post-Kennedy changes. #DoctorWhoDay #DoctorWho62
(Don't worry, no great long thread this time!)
(Don't worry, no great long thread this time!)
November 23, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Exactly 62 years ago, the very first episode of #DoctorWho had just finished. But what was on for the rest of the evening? Here's the actual BBC Television schedule for the rest of the night, with the post-Kennedy changes. #DoctorWhoDay #DoctorWho62
(Don't worry, no great long thread this time!)
(Don't worry, no great long thread this time!)
Reposted by Matthew Kilburn
This was a thing in the 18th century, too. See Charles Littleton's post on cricket and the Georgian aristocracy:
historyofparliament.com/2023/07/06/e...
historyofparliament.com/2023/07/06/e...
‘Kind patron of the mirthful fray’: the English aristocracy and cricket in the 18th century - The History of Parliament
The Ashes Test series currently under way provides an opportunity to consider the English aristocracy’s role in cricket’s early development in the 18th
historyofparliament.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:04 PM
This was a thing in the 18th century, too. See Charles Littleton's post on cricket and the Georgian aristocracy:
historyofparliament.com/2023/07/06/e...
historyofparliament.com/2023/07/06/e...
Reposted by Matthew Kilburn
Our first post for some time, as we pick up long overdue reaction to the Doctor Who of the last twelve months with Joy to the World. oxforddoctorwho-tidesoftime.blog/2025/11/23/j...
Joy to the World
Anita to the World! Joy too, of course. Image: BBC The Tides of Time has continued to ask past and present members of the Oxford Doctor Who Society to make predictions about new episodes and then l…
oxforddoctorwho-tidesoftime.blog
November 23, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Our first post for some time, as we pick up long overdue reaction to the Doctor Who of the last twelve months with Joy to the World. oxforddoctorwho-tidesoftime.blog/2025/11/23/j...
Reposted by Matthew Kilburn
ON THIS DAY 100,062 years ago, mysterious space scientist Dr Who and his chums returned the secret of fire to a group of primitive cave dwellers on the planet Earth.
#DoctorWho62 #DoctorWho
#DoctorWho62 #DoctorWho
November 23, 2025 at 3:42 PM
ON THIS DAY 100,062 years ago, mysterious space scientist Dr Who and his chums returned the secret of fire to a group of primitive cave dwellers on the planet Earth.
#DoctorWho62 #DoctorWho
#DoctorWho62 #DoctorWho
Reposted by Matthew Kilburn
It isn't even clear that the Kremlin likes this plan
NEW: Russian officials and state media continue to set information conditions to reject the US-proposed 28-point peace plan, indicating that the Kremlin is actively conditioning the Russian people to not accept anything less than a full victory in Ukraine. 🧵(1/8)
Read more: isw.pub/UkrWar112225
Read more: isw.pub/UkrWar112225
November 23, 2025 at 12:47 PM
It isn't even clear that the Kremlin likes this plan
A new version of my article on Barbara Clegg appears in this.
November 23, 2025 at 11:23 AM
A new version of my article on Barbara Clegg appears in this.
Reposted by Matthew Kilburn
For those who enjoyed my Kennedy thread last night, I should say that the research was originally done for my #DoctorWho book Pull to Open, the story of the show's creation in 1963, which you can buy from @tenacrebooks.bsky.social. #DoctorWhoDay
Pull To Open: 1962–1963: The Inside Story of How the BBC Created and Launched Doctor Who
‘Fresh and compelling… As definitive an account of those early years as I have read’ Toby Hadoke When Doctor Who began on Saturday November 23...
tenacrefilms.bigcartel.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:05 AM
For those who enjoyed my Kennedy thread last night, I should say that the research was originally done for my #DoctorWho book Pull to Open, the story of the show's creation in 1963, which you can buy from @tenacrebooks.bsky.social. #DoctorWhoDay
Reposted by Matthew Kilburn
It’s a very happy #DoctorWhoDay from us - we’re delighted to announce we’ve successfully acquired the archive of Whoniverse legend Terrance Dicks 😲 Read more at the link:
www.york.ac.uk/borthwick/ne...
www.york.ac.uk/borthwick/ne...
November 23, 2025 at 10:49 AM
It’s a very happy #DoctorWhoDay from us - we’re delighted to announce we’ve successfully acquired the archive of Whoniverse legend Terrance Dicks 😲 Read more at the link:
www.york.ac.uk/borthwick/ne...
www.york.ac.uk/borthwick/ne...
Reposted by Matthew Kilburn
My latest article: BBC PA Douglas Camfield, frustrated at not being offered a place on the director's course, investigated joining the SAS via the TA. Until fate intervened. You will also discover the third time he worked for Waris Hussein...
michaelseely.substack.com/p/douglas-ca...
michaelseely.substack.com/p/douglas-ca...
Douglas Camfield in Doctor Who and the SAS
In 1964, BBC PA Douglas Camfield was at a crossroads in his life. Will he become a BBC director or will he join the SAS? Or will he do both? With brand new information, the story can finally be told.
michaelseely.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 9:27 AM
My latest article: BBC PA Douglas Camfield, frustrated at not being offered a place on the director's course, investigated joining the SAS via the TA. Until fate intervened. You will also discover the third time he worked for Waris Hussein...
michaelseely.substack.com/p/douglas-ca...
michaelseely.substack.com/p/douglas-ca...
Reposted by Matthew Kilburn
It's Doctor Who Day. To celebrate, I've edited and designed a new digital bookazine for @radiotimes.bsky.social, collecting the best of the magazine's articles and rare photography from the show's early years. Download it FREE from www.radiotimes.com/doctor-who-t...
November 23, 2025 at 10:11 AM
It's Doctor Who Day. To celebrate, I've edited and designed a new digital bookazine for @radiotimes.bsky.social, collecting the best of the magazine's articles and rare photography from the show's early years. Download it FREE from www.radiotimes.com/doctor-who-t...
Reposted by Matthew Kilburn
I refuse to celebrate 62 years of that meddlesome Doctor. Bah humbug! #doctorwhoday
November 23, 2025 at 8:46 AM
I refuse to celebrate 62 years of that meddlesome Doctor. Bah humbug! #doctorwhoday
Reposted by Matthew Kilburn
At Dickenson Road Studios in Manchester, comedian Harry Worth, who was recording an episode of his show there earlier, has stayed on to watch his production team facilitate Wilson's contribution. A story is later told that Wilson almost leaves accidentally wearing Worth's coat.
November 22, 2025 at 11:13 PM
At Dickenson Road Studios in Manchester, comedian Harry Worth, who was recording an episode of his show there earlier, has stayed on to watch his production team facilitate Wilson's contribution. A story is later told that Wilson almost leaves accidentally wearing Worth's coat.
Reposted by Matthew Kilburn
It was 62 years ago #OnThisDay in 1963 that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
Here's a piece I wrote for the History of the BBC website a couple of years ago about how the BBC covered the news.
I'm quite pleased with this one...
www.bbc.com/historyofthe...
Here's a piece I wrote for the History of the BBC website a couple of years ago about how the BBC covered the news.
I'm quite pleased with this one...
www.bbc.com/historyofthe...
Breaking news - November 1963
BBC History recalls one of the first truly global news stories of the modern multi-media age
www.bbc.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:35 AM
It was 62 years ago #OnThisDay in 1963 that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
Here's a piece I wrote for the History of the BBC website a couple of years ago about how the BBC covered the news.
I'm quite pleased with this one...
www.bbc.com/historyofthe...
Here's a piece I wrote for the History of the BBC website a couple of years ago about how the BBC covered the news.
I'm quite pleased with this one...
www.bbc.com/historyofthe...
Reposted by Matthew Kilburn
"Call My Bluff is a model of understated entertainment and - God forbid in the present day - maturity."
@benfinlay74.bsky.social on the delights to be found over on BBC Four.
thelionandunicorn.com/2025/11/22/l...
@benfinlay74.bsky.social on the delights to be found over on BBC Four.
thelionandunicorn.com/2025/11/22/l...
Let us now praise: BBC Four
BEN FINLAY celebrates the BBC that used to be.
thelionandunicorn.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:15 AM
"Call My Bluff is a model of understated entertainment and - God forbid in the present day - maturity."
@benfinlay74.bsky.social on the delights to be found over on BBC Four.
thelionandunicorn.com/2025/11/22/l...
@benfinlay74.bsky.social on the delights to be found over on BBC Four.
thelionandunicorn.com/2025/11/22/l...