Like the post heading says, we have some bad news to announce.  There’s good news to go with it but let’s get the bad out of the way.

Unfortunately we have to announce that Anna Hope is unable to attend Vortex.  She’s working on a play and the schedule is preventing her from making the trip.  We know this will disappoint a lot of you who have already bought tickets, and we are as disappointed as you are, but we’re delighted that Anna is getting to do what she loves doing, acting.  We’ll get the dates and theatre location (it’s not in Northern Ireland) for you and maybe some of you will get the chance to see her on stage. If you do, let us know!

We’ve never failed to find a suitable replacement guest before and this time is no different.  We are pleased to announce that Chipo Chung has agreed to be a guest at Vortex.

Chipo Chung

Chipo Chung - IMDB

Chipo played Chantho in the third season episode Utopia.  Remember, that’s the same episode that Paul played the Chieftain in so they’re bound to have some great stories to tell about working on the episode with David and Freema, along with guest stars John Barrowman and John Simm.

You may not realise it but you’ve also seen Chipo in the fourth season episode Turn Left.  There she played the Fortune Teller who tried to change Donna’s past.  Perhaps Paul and Chipo can shed some light on the rumour that the Fortune Teller was part of the Trickster’s Brigade.

Chipo has also played roles in TV Shows Dalziel and Pascoe, Holby City and The Last Enemy, as well as the Gwyneth Paltrow movie Proof and the 2007 movie Sunshine where she was the voice of the Icarus.

It’s disappointing that Anna won’t be at Vortex but you will be getting a great replacement guest and Anna will be top of our list to be invited to our next Doctor Who event.  Stay tuned for the announcement of our headline guest soon.   Follow us on Twitter if you want to be the first to know.  Alternatively, you can subscribe for email updates to get it delivered straight to your inbox.  The announcement will also go out on all our social networks so friend us on MySpace or join our Facebook group (you’ll find all the links below).  Or simply just keep checking back here regularly.