David Tennant To Read Doctor Who: Pest Control

BBC Audiobooks have announced David Tennant as the reader of their latest audio-exclusive release Doctor Who: Pest Control, due for release on the 8th May 2008. Pest Control will be available only on CD and for download and will not be published as a book.

Pest Control was commissioned from author Peter Anghelides "I love David Tennant's work on the book adaptations, so I'm simply thrilled that he's reading this special audio. He phoned to discuss the characterisations, and my younger son picked up. How great is that? A phone call from the Doctor!"

The story is the first to feature Donna (Catherine Tate) as the Doctor’s companion and below we can offer a sneak preview of the script:

“There was another squealing sound from high above. Donna wondered what it was. The Doctor already seemed to know, and dragged her protesting over the sodden ground and towards the truck. ‘Take cover!’ he yelled. ‘The bombardment has started!’

‘Incoming!’ bellowed Harrison from the middle distance.

A dull crump sounded from beyond the truck, and a fountain of black earth spurted up into the air and scattered over them. There was a fizzing sound of energy.

The remaining soldiers leapt out of the transport vehicle, fresh weapons in their hands. Harrison had appeared by Donna’s side. He was looking to her for orders, she realised. She wasn’t in uniform, she wasn’t able to command him, and all because of a simple misunderstanding.

Harrison’s eyes glazed over. He toppled face forward and sprawled in the mud. Only then did Donna know what the fizzing sound was. Weapons were firing. Harrison had been shot dead in front of her.

The dun-coloured shapes of more soldiers scurried past, taking positions. It took Donna a moment to work out what they were doing: they were aiming their rifles upward.

She followed the direction of their weapons. She stared in disbelief.

Donna could make out thin legs on fat, swollen bodies dropping from the invisible sky. The air was alive with gunfire as the creatures fell through the fog and clattered to the ground.

‘Oh my God,’ she breathed. ‘Doctor, they’re dropping ponies on us!’

‘Not exactly,’ he said, pulling her behind the truck. Donna slithered in the mud, and landed on her bum. She could feel the water soak right through. The Doctor was still talking: ‘Look again. Horses don’t have parachutes.’