Dave Probert

Dave Probert

@daveprobert.bsky.social

He/Him. Occasional podcaster, writer, and doodler. Sci-fi & fantasy fan, predominantly Hitchhiker's Guide, Doctor Who, Blake's 7 and Star Trek.

479 followers293 following3K posts

Dave Probert reposted

George Takei
@georgetakei.bsky.social

My heart is heavy. Walter Koenig, our Ensign Pavel Chekov, passed away early today. Walter and I met on the bridge of the Enterprise in the 1960s, and we stayed friends for nearly six decades. When Brad and I married in 2008, Walter stood beside us as our best man.

Dave Probert
@daveprobert.bsky.social

RIP Walker Koenig. A wonderful actor and a lovely human being. Will be remembered in sci-fi fandom for playing 2 characters who could have been more different. A testament to his range and ability. He will be missed.

Dave Probert
@daveprobert.bsky.social

Appeared in a cameo as herself in an episode of Columbo

Admirable Women@admirablewomen.bsky.social

Costume designer Edith Head won 8 Academy Awards for Best Costume Design between 1949 & 1973 (nominated 35 times!). Most-awarded woman in the Academy's history. #Oscars Considered one of the greatest & most influential costume designers in #film history. She died #OTD in 1981. #MovieSky

Dave Probert reposted

Neomints - Comms open
@ragadollite.neomints.com

impartiality is a funny way to spell out transphobia :/

Leicester Gazette@leicestergazette.leicester.news

Two University of Leicester students speak out over ‘absurd’ and ‘Orwellian’ decision by the BBC and ITV Studios to edit out pride pins worn on University Challenge

leicester.newsBBC edits out pride pins on University Challenge in ‘Orwellian’ move* * * This story was published by **The Leicester Gazette** : a local, independent newspaper about Leicestershire. 1,000 people have already joined our community. Just use those buttons below to download our app and **sign up for free**. * * * Astrophysics student Samuel Carlier and History student Emmeline Hague-Wright were shocked to find that their LGBTQ+ pride pins had been edited out of their University Challenge appearance earlier this year. The episode, initially scheduled for BBC Two on 24 August, was delayed twice before airing on 7 September 2026. The pins showed the progressive LGBTQ+ pride flag, the bisexual pride flag and a rainbow feather. Speaking to the Leicester Gazette, Sam said: “Living in a liberal democracy and having the state broadcaster tell you ‘we’re editing how you look’, seems very Orwellian.” Sam described the choice to remove the pins before broadcast as “weird” and “absurd”. He said: “[Censoring] that seemed weird. If I had worn a rainbow shirt, would they have censored that? If the idea is to keep things impartial, where is that line in the sand?” A side by-side image of Sam wearing the pin and with it having been digitally removed. Photograph: supplied Sam contacted the BBC to try to understand why his pins had been edited out. He told the Gazette: “The BBC people said they’d ring me, and I chased them, they just said go to the complaints website and file a complaint there, that’s what I did.” Since then, Sam hasn’t had a response from the BBC as to why his pins were removed. After the episode had aired, Sam noted that his shirt ‘melted’ into itself occasionally, as a result of the editing. Photograph: supplied ## Students believe the decision was made following online transphobia Emmeline was also shocked when she found out that the feather pin she wore was due to be removed from the episode she was in. It was understood by Emmeline that there was online transphobia in response to previous episode of University Challenge, and she had been contacted by the BBC, anticipating support from the broadcaster. When the BBC contacted her, instead of an offer of support, she was told her pin was going to be removed. “At first it was mostly confusion,” she said. “I heard that they had received a lot of nastiness online from people and I thought they were going to call me to say ‘we have support services if needed,’ and that wasn't what I got at all.” Instead, Emmeline was notified that the episodes were going to be delayed. “It was out of left field, I was confused for a while,” she said. “This entire delay has been because of a feather and two badges on a teammate that were basically impossible [for viewers] to see.” Emmeline had expressed her frustrations with the repeated delays from the BBC, spanning from mid-July to early-September. She said: “We were announced on the website and then delayed again, and then announced on the website a second time, and delayed even further. Speaking about the removal, she said: “It takes a lot of time” she said. “Making it [the edit] look good would be even more expensive and time-consuming. It seems like drastically a lot of effort.” ## Join the conversation Our app is more than just a way to keep up – it's a gateway to award-winning journalism and the local community. __Want to support our work?__ Click here for membership__.__ ## Wider criticism on LGBTQ+ support The pins Sam wore during the episode. Photograph: supplied According to leading LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall UK, two in five LGBTQ+ students will hide their identities at university for fear of discrimination. Stonewall has reported that more than 36 per cent of trans students have received hostile conduct from university staff due to their gender identity. Reflecting on the digital removal of the pins, Sam spoke about how disheartening the choice was. He said: “There was maybe like a span of eight years where someone could be uncontroversially out in the open queer – now that’s gone again.” he said. The BBC has also been widely criticised for ‘an attack on the LGBTQ+ community’ by pulling its involvement with the popular show, RuPaul's Drag Race. The broadcaster pulled its involvement in September following “significant financial pressures” as the reason for axing their involvement. The criticism follows another recent controversial edit by the BBC. On its hit show, Strictly Come Dancing, a decision was made to edit out ‘Protect the Dolls’ from contestant Bethany Antonia’s T-shirt. It’s a slogan which has become widely used to support the rights of trans women. The BBC defended their decision, saying the changes were made to meet editorial guidelines. It comes as the LGBTQ+ community has faced challenges amid an increasingly less tolerant political climate. ## What the BBC had to say When we asked them about editing out the pins worn by Leicester’s University Challenge team, a BBC spokesperson said: “In line with our editorial guidelines, we advise that no badges, flags, and emblems or symbols are worn or visible during filming, along with clothing with obvious branding or slogans. If such items are not removed for any reason then a decision is made between the programme makers and the BBC regarding any edits to the programme.” The BBC said the delays to the episode were unrelated to the decision to edit out the pins. A spokesperson for ITV Studios said: “University Challenge is an entertainment quiz show and is made in accordance with the BBC Editorial Guidelines requirements for impartiality.” The University of Leicester refused to comment on the matter. * * * **Before you go…** We’ve recently surpassed 1,000 subscribers, which is amazing considering we’re a small team on a shoestring budget. Now, we’re ready for the next stage of the Leicester Gazette. **Download our new app and get all of our journalism anytime, anywhere.** The app connects with **Bluesky** , **Mastodon** and **Threads** , giving you access to a network of around 60 million people. It’s a safer, more meaningful alternative to mainstream social media – owned by the community. * * *

Dave Probert reposted

Mostly Harmless
@whalepetunias.bsky.social

The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy defines the marketing division of the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation as "a bunch of mindless Jerks who'll be the first against the wall when the revolution comes"

Dave Probert
@daveprobert.bsky.social

Is the mystery actor like the wild card house in those property shows that they throw in for extra drama?

BlackskyNews 🗞️@blackskynews.blacksky.app

Bond 26, will reboot the 007 series and seeks a late 20s or early 30s actor to front the franchise for the next decade. Reports say four shortlisted candidates are Callum Turner, Jack Lowden, Josh O'Connor and a 'Mystery actor'. | Samantha Barlett www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrit... #BlackskyNews

mirror.co.uk'Four finalists' to be James Bond unveiled and film fans all want same actorBond 26 is in active pre-production with Amazon MGM Studios, and the search for a new 007 is well underway with reports that four actors have made it as 'finalists' to take on the role
Dave Probert
@daveprobert.bsky.social

Reflecting on #CelebrityTraitors and it's telling that the older men are zeroing in on young women who do things to go out of their way to be considerate to other people who might need looking after. Leigh-Ann and Sharon both acted to support Miranda and James and get viewed with suspicion.

Dave Probert reposted

Russ Jones
@russincheshire.bsky.social

Britons should use money we haven't got to buy food the country doesn't grow, store it in homes that don't exist, in spare rooms that got taxed away, so we can survive when reservoirs nobody built run dry because of a climate the govt won't protect. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

theguardian.comEvery Briton should stockpile water and food supplies, government advisesBe Ready campaign aims to prepare UK for impact of climate crisis, technological dependency and threats by hostile state
Dave Probert
@daveprobert.bsky.social

Look at this absolute bollard simpering at the camera and asking us to stockpile stuff because he's definitely going to shit the bed at some point and wants to make sure he can blame us for not stockpiling rather than us having any expectations of a competent Defense Secretary.

George Monbiot@georgemonbiot.bsky.social

Sure, we should, if we can (many cannot). But as I keep pointing out, the government itself is making no provision at all. No stockpiles, no back-up, no alternative sources. It's individuating the response to a collective problem, and that never ends well. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

theguardian.comEvery Briton should stockpile water and food supplies, government advisesBe Ready campaign aims to prepare UK for impact of climate crisis, technological dependency and threats by hostile state

Dave Probert reposted

stubakes.bsky.social
@stubakes.bsky.social

Replying to @daveprobert.bsky.social

Terrence Dicks' Doctor Who books were the best! I read them all from my local library, and they definitely helped form my love of reading

Dave Probert
@daveprobert.bsky.social

Cyrus, mate, I don't have any favourite chat bots. I don't use them. I don't use any of that. What you melts don't seem to understand is that people opposing data centers don't use your shitty hogwash pump for anything. That you can't conceive that people don't use it is part of the problem.

Sara “Blade” Reine@smreine.bsky.social

lol. Lmao, even.

Dave Probert reposted

Adam Christopher
@adamchristopher.me

Terrance Dicks is why I am an author. One of the greatest small moments of my life was when he passed a good luck message on to me, via @paulcornell.bsky.social, at the launch of my debut novel Empire State at Forbidden Planet London back in 2012.

Dave Probert@daveprobert.bsky.social

Terrance Dicks' Doctor Who novelisations are the reason so many people my age fell in love with reading. Tie in books create life long readers and they are written by incredible authors who capture and expand on the stories that we know.

Dave Probert reposted

John Scalzi
@scalzi.com

Writing tie-ins is *a real fucking skill* and anyone who sneers at the people who do it can go piss up a rope. You think it's easy to write an entire novel to very specific order on an almost impossibly tight deadline? And have it be satisfying to read? Motherfucker, *you* try it. See how you do.

Kate Tell-Tale Heartfield@kateheartfield.com

There is a doofus currently arguing here that no "creative talent" would choose to write tie-ins, and since I just did a panel this weekend on why creative talents choose to write IP, here are a few reasons. Non-financial reasons, for fun and because frankly it usually doesn't pay that well.

Dave Probert reposted

Tony Cross
@lokster71.bsky.social

Replying to @arunfilm.bsky.social

There's also an episode of @backlisted.bsky.social on Terrance Dicks, focused around Doctor Who and the Brain of Morbius - www.backlisted.fm/episodes/124...

backlisted.fm124. Terrance Dicks - Doctor Who and the Brain of Morbius — BacklistedDoctor Who and the Brain of Morbius (1977) by Terrance Dicks is the much-loved book featured in this episode. Joining John and Andy to discuss the life and career of a hugely influential and pro...

Dave Probert reposted

Peter Sharples
@sharplespesq.bsky.social

Replying to @daveprobert.bsky.social

Anyone who can distil 100-150 minutes of TV into 125-150 pages and make it gripping is a literary genius.

Dave Probert reposted

Out of Order Book Club
@outoforderbookclub.bsky.social

My podcast started last year, and I didn't read tie-ins and didn't consider doing a whole season on them - ahem, wherever you get your podcasts! However, covering an original trilogy by @adamchristopher.me and his tie-in work opened up a world of so many genres, and my lovely tie-in season was born.

Dave Probert@daveprobert.bsky.social

Terrance Dicks' Doctor Who novelisations are the reason so many people my age fell in love with reading. Tie in books create life long readers and they are written by incredible authors who capture and expand on the stories that we know.

Dave Probert reposted

heraldofcreation.bsky.social
@heraldofcreation.bsky.social

Replying to @daveprobert.bsky.social

I also think there needs to be an appreciation of the fact that Terrance Dicks made it look easy but that lightness of style and efficiency of story telling is not something everyone can capture In his original DW novels he also discovers a sense of joy in telling historical stories

Dave Probert reposted

Tony Cross
@lokster71.bsky.social

The impact Terrance Dicks had on getting kids to read in the 80s (and probably 70s) is probably under-estimated. And not just him but Target Doctor Who books generally too.

Dave Probert@daveprobert.bsky.social

Terrance Dicks' Doctor Who novelisations are the reason so many people my age fell in love with reading. Tie in books create life long readers and they are written by incredible authors who capture and expand on the stories that we know.

Dave Probert reposted

Chris Winwood
@chrispywindy.bsky.social

Replying to @daveprobert.bsky.social

I met Terrance Dicks once, and it was a beautiful moment for me. I was a bit choked up, just like when I once saw Tom Baker in the street. I told Mr Dicks that he taught me to read. I’m sure he must have been told that hundreds of times, but he was so gracious and charming. What a hero.

Dave Probert
@daveprobert.bsky.social

Terrance Dicks' Doctor Who novelisations are the reason so many people my age fell in love with reading. Tie in books create life long readers and they are written by incredible authors who capture and expand on the stories that we know.

Kate Tell-Tale Heartfield@kateheartfield.com

There is a doofus currently arguing here that no "creative talent" would choose to write tie-ins, and since I just did a panel this weekend on why creative talents choose to write IP, here are a few reasons. Non-financial reasons, for fun and because frankly it usually doesn't pay that well.

Dave Probert reposted

Samira Ahmed
@samiraahmeduk.bsky.social

The super thoughtful Kyle MacLachlan on Dune, doppelgängers, David Lynch and why Agent Cooper is so close to his heart… Monday’s #bbcfrontrow

Dave Probert
@daveprobert.bsky.social

Annoyed with myself for having slept on the 2015 series Dark Matter. I'm currently partway through season 2 and it's great stuff. Has a strong Blake's 7 vibe to it and it's well worth a watch.