Exterminate the new Dr Who theme tune, say angry fans

Theme tune row: Time Lord Matt Smith and his co-star Karen Gillian - Dr Who fans are furious after the theme tune changed for the new series


Its whoops and wails have made it one of the most recognisable tunes in television history. But the Doctor Who theme is at the centre of a row after it was changed for the new series.

Fans are furious about the addition of a new melody played by electronic trumpets and have complained to the BBC about the new version.

Although the theme has been revised several times since the show began in 1963, this is the first time that the tune itself has been changed.

One fan wrote on the BBC messageboard: ‘The nasty, nasty trumpets at the beginning together with the silly disco beat are abysmal.’

The original theme tune, composed by Ron Grainer, is recognised as one of the most famous pieces of early electronic music. The new theme was devised to coincide with the appearance of new Time Lord Matt Smith (seen left with co-star Karen Gillan).

It was composed by Murray Gold, who also wrote the theme to Channel 4’s Shameless.

About 70 people have so far complained to the BBC about the new theme and a Facebook campaign has been launched to have the old version reinstated.

A Doctor Who spokesman said: ‘The arranger has made alterations to the music four times since 2005, so change is nothing new.

‘It is important for the regeneration of the show to keep revisiting the score while always retaining the haunting and ground-breaking essence of the original.’


source: dailymail