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Harry Lloyd as Baines in the Doctor Who episodes Human Nature/ The Family of Blood

Julian Glover from For Your Eyes Only - the first Bond film I saw on the big screen.

“M doesn’t mind you earning some extra money on the side Dryden, she’d just sooner it wasn’t from appearing at Comic Cons…”

So, having bought a diamond pass for my daughter, for Matt Smith, I wanted to drop a few bits of feedback. First, extremely helpful people. Everyone went the extra mile. Thank you to all of the staff. Couldn't fault anyone. She pointed this out as her biggest plus of the day (besides meeting Matt) - quote "the people are all so friendly." So, great job everyone. I'd also say that the organization of the event was a *notable* step up. The summer event was carnage - this was much better. Lastly, Matt Smith himself was great - very kind, took a moment with everyone, and he remembered my daughter for the photoshoot - must be a very difficult and busy day, and he nailed it. She was absolutely over the moon to meet 'her Doctor'. So top marks all. Obviously this is no longer a cheap hobby, but overall it was a great experience, so well done. Look forward to next year, and happy to reach deep for the right guests next time.

I got 7 autos this weekend, never posted pictures before and can’t seem to insert them into the post so here’s some imgur links (hopefully they work): https://imgur.com/a/8VgTVar - David Tennant https://imgur.com/a/VY2PXsL - from top to bottom, left to right: Ty Tennant, Graham McTavish, Jefferson Hall, Matt Smith, Gavin Spokes and Paddy Considine Amazing weekend overall, looking forward to the next one! :)

And 4 new additions to my TARDIS book David Tennant and Matt Smith Katy Manning and Jodie Whittaker

Finally added David Tennant

Jason Flemyng in X Men

Myanna Burning

Beg to differ, been to enough of these cons over the last 20 years to know. You’re assuming a long and laboured discussion about each item to be signed, which SM staff are quick to stamp out. This is how it goes: Quick greeting, several items passed conveyor belt style to the guest, signed in quick succession, job done, thanks given and attendee on their way. So to recap - one single greeting, multiple items signed, thanks and cheerio. Negligible signing time or discussion involved. Next customer please, by the way no reason for attendees to hang around all day to have additional items signed causing congestion. This new way means attendees have to hang around, go back with the VQ, creating even more queuing, additional greet time and discussion, inevitably slowing down the process unnecessarily whilst creating general annoyance for con-goers all around. Re DP’s not being fulfilled, ultimately if people haven’t got an item signed from the DP, this more likely comes down to SM overselling them. The upshot of the new rule means that you not only have an undervalued DP in terms of SM overselling it, but then under-delivering in terms of VFM. This leaves a nasty taste even before you consider the legality of arbitrarily changing the terms/conditions post sale of the DP’s. As the late, great Stan Lee (whose last U.K. appearance was so bungled and oversold by SM, thus giving rise to the DP) said: ‘Nuff Said.

Sean Cronin

Sally Thomsett

John Lyons, he is 80 years old. Great guy.

Totally agree this was a vast improvement on the summer event - it probably helps that it's smaller. The guests I met were all lovely and really seemed to be enjoying the experience. And it worked far better to have the popular guests in the booths from a queue management point of view. The crew were all super friendly and all my photo shoots went very smoothly. At least you could hear the batch number announcements . You will never be able to stop people congregating in the area. I had a really fantastic weekend. Thanks to ShowMasters I have now met all the Doctors from Tom Baker to Jodie Whittaker. Now if there could just be an announcement for Ncuti Gatwa.....

I had a good time! The train situation into London was a nightmare but luckily I had no photoshoots booked in, so I could afford to be late. Ended up getting there around exactly midday and immediately managed to get autographs from the two guests I came for, Paddy Considine and Ty Tennant. My dad and I had a long walk through the merch hall and I got a good bit of Christmas gift shopping done, as well as some fun bits for myself! My dad was very happy with his LOTR shirt haul and he enjoys seeing all the cosplays. All in all probably my quietest comic con to date in the sense that I only got two autographs and no photoshoots, but I was there for a good five and a half hours and my dad and I had a blast! Paddy was so lovely. I got an autograph for my friend who couldn't come to the event and told him he's her favourite HOTD character, which he seemed very pleased to hear. He's very funny and down to earth, very glad I got to meet him! First thing my dad pointed out when he saw Ty was that our hair matches. We were definitely hair twinning to an extent there! He was very sweet, I hope he enjoyed his first ever convention!

Katy Manning

Got Paddy Considine and Ty Tennant today. Definitely my shortest haul ever but I came knowing today would be mostly a merch day for me. Very happy with my Targ boys!

Dmitrious Bistrevsky added.

Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Bonnie Langford, Katie Manning and Craig Els

Carol Cleveland, Made a Camel smile.

Susan George.. No Photos at the Table. Enough said I think.

Patrick Murray

Angela Grant.

Marolyn Turk Such a sweet lady.

It's quite an allegation for sure, but it's true. I have a DP for Matt and that was definitely changed after I bought it.

Latest Guest Announcement - Katy Manning Appearing: Sunday Autograph: £15 Photo Shoot: £15 Buy Tickets Jo Jones - Doctor Who Jo Jones - Sarah Jane Adventures https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0543315

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Let's just pretend this didnt happen, it's been sent to a different email address. Finds giant rock to hide behind and hopes no-one notices

It was great to meet Susan George, Carol Cleveland and Sally Thomsett at the London Film Fair today, particularly Susan who I've wanted to meet for some time. Thanks Showmasters for bringing these guests to London. Shame about the weather...

Whilst I certainly agree with the principle that with a rare and/or popular guest it's nice to be able to have as many people as possible get to meet them. My only bugbear is the T&C's for some DPs were changed AFTER purchase without any notification. Personally for me if the limit is now just the included auto I will consider it money saved as I can't be asked to queue again and will be happy with what I have.

Well yes, that’s what the rewording of the DP amounts too now, you are right. But nevertheless we were previously allowed to purchase further autographs at the same time, which if nothing else meant a majority of punters could get their autos, leave and avoid any congestion issues. Oh wait, sorry this is SM, over crowding at venues has never been an issue, has it? No two ways about it, a major beneficial facet of the DP was getting everything you wanted without having to wait inordinate amounts of time. For me it was certainly persuasive when asked to pay £40 -£50 more for a DP. It’s definitely not the cruddy mug or print that makes me feel better about a DP purchase. The fact that SM changed the wording after purchase for a lot of customers is sharp practice, pure and simple. I’m not going, so I have no skin in the game here, but I’ll certainly think twice about purchasing a DP if this becomes standard policy going forward. Frankly though, I don’t think it will because it is a recipe for disaster, as SM will likely discover over the con period. Good luck to everyone getting all their David Tennant/Matt Smith autos…

It’s a stupid decision, make no mistake, but over the years this has become SM’s stock in trade. It will just lead to lost revenue and arguments on the day, especially involving those who don’t frequent this, increasingly sparse forum. I thought the whole point of bringing in the DP was to prioritise those who’d paid the premium, not least, so they can get everything they want in one fell swoop. I remember meeting George Lazenby at the Winter con several years ago. I had 9 items for him to sign, ok over the permitted amount - I think it was 5 at the time. Despite the fact that there was no one behind me, the SM lady sat with George made me walk back to the front of the (empty) queue, only to walk back to the desk for George to re-sign the remaining 4 items, as he was still signing the first lot. Utterly pointless under these circumstances. Still at least it gave George a chuckle…

I had considered the above, but doesn't it just mean more VQ tickets being given out, if DP holders who want/need more than one auto go for them too? Surely it means more people missing out on meeting DT on a VQ ticket, as those DP holders who have more than one item for signing will be meeting him twice? Do SM think, or know, that a significant number of DP holders will only want one auto? I guess we'll have to see how things pan out on the day. I had hoped to get two extra autos when I met DT using the DP, but that now won't be the case - I'll just have the one included auto. It won't hurt me to miss out on two autos, but it would have been nice to get them now. It does give me a fair amount to spend on other guests - if needed - so that's a bonus.

Likewise. If this decision stays I will only get the one autograph for each. Certainly not going for the hassle of a VQ. And if a lot of others feel the same ShowMasters could well be kissing goodbye to several thousand pounds.

It's a strange decision, as if you're going diamond, you're not going for just one autograph. i get limiting it, but 2 or 3 extras would make more sense. If that is the new rules, I'll only be getting the one Matt Smith and David Tennant, and not the extras i 'need'

I did have that on order but cancelled after I managed to get him at Downton. Yours is a nice auto!

Hugh Bonneville. Looking forward to reading this.

It was nice to catch up for a chat. Until the next time

I was trying to view their insta page earlier but it wouldn't load, I'd search it and the account would come up but then instagram would give me an error. And I can't tag them in any of my posts. I'm trying to wrack my brains and think of anything I might have done or said recently to warrant blocking but I'm coming up blank. Well regardless, I had a very fun and chill day. The quietest and least stressful comic con for me, train cancellations aside.

1 week to go

When you go in place him on the wood bench, then you will be able to collect from the oppisite bench as you leave :)

Thanks everyone. I must say that I did miss that very small 'Enter Promo Code' at the top of the page. All tickets are now ordered. Thanks again.

Also announced for con next year IE March we have the national boisterous treasure that is BRIAN BLESSED who played King Yacarnos in "Mindwarp" the second story of "The Trial of a timelord" so that dvd or Season 23, and for those who care about such things he was almost in "The Daleks Masterplan" as his "Z Cars" character PC Fancy Smith, but that was vetoed during the pre production, he's only appearing on that Sunday and is £50 Again this is March 2023 not November 2022

Hell yeah! Now Ewan Mitchell and my day will be made! Edit to add... just realised he's David's son. Lovely father/son day out in London for them!

Getting up to 5 or so extra items signed at the same time by the one guest doesn’t slow down anyone else, certainly as much as having to re-queue with a VQ ticket will, or indeed having dealers in the queue getting 50 plus items signed at a time. Genuine answer.

Great guest - he gave the best performance in House of the Dragon. Love his Shane Meadows films.

Latest Guest Announcement - Craige Els Appearing: Sunday Autograph: £15 Photo Shoot: £15 Buy Tickets Karvanista / Chief Sea Devil - Doctor Who Derek Milligan - Coronation Street Botha Brother - Ripper Street https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3026047

It's nice to have a legible auto. I did have it on order but it ended up being quicker to go into Waterstones* and get it in person. *Other book retailers may be available.

George MacKay Naomi Scott Justin Long Sam Riley Lucy Fry Mia Goth Bob Morley Lauren Cohan Will Poulter Sophie Cookson