Thursday 11th February 2010 -
The Avengers DVD Set 2 - Series 3 - EXCLUSIVE SCREEN CAPTURES
Thanks to Jaz Wiseman and Optimum Releasing for providing exclusive screen captures which demonstrate the improvements between the old Contender DVD release and the new Optimum release, available from Monday. Take a look at the screen caps here...

Saturday 6th February 2010 - Sir John Dankworth 1927-2010
I'm very sad to announce that Sir John Dankworth, perhaps better known to Avengers fans as Johnny Dankworth, the composer of the original Avengers theme and incidental music library, has died today aged 82. Dankworth was made a Knight Bachelor in the 2006 New Year's Honours List for his services to music. He was a well-known and much loved jazz performer and his distinctive theme for The Avengers played a part in the series' early success. He is survived by his wife and long-term musical collaborator, Dame Cleo Laine. Rest in peace, Johnny.

Monday 31st January 2010 -
Optimum Avengers - Series 4
Special Features for the Series 4 release have been announced...

Sunday 31st January 2010 -
Optimum Avengers - Series 3
Information for the Series 3 release has been updated...

Wednesday 16th December 2009 -
Replacement Discs for The Avengers DVD Set 1
Jaz Wiseman has made the following announcement regarding the replacement programme for the faulty discs in the Series 1+2 set: "I am expecting check discs of the replacement discs next week. Once these are confirmed as being OK, the replacement discs will be manufactured. Obviously this process is going to be held up with the Christmas and New Year break so in early January Optimum will make the final announcement. Apologies to all customers but the replacement disc process has taken longer than anticipated."

Friday 6th November 2009 -
Official Announcement from Optimum re. Series 1+2 DVD Set 
Optimum do the decent thing... see Optimum Avengers.

Sunday 18th October 2009 -
Bad news about the first Optimum set 
May contain traces of cock-up... see Optimum Avengers.

Tuesday 22nd September 2009 -
Exclusive Preview of Series 3 UK DVD Set!
Hot on the heels of Optimum's highly anticipated Series 1+2 DVD set (due October 5th - if you haven't ordered it yet, don't miss out!) comes the announcement that Series 3 will follow in February 2010. As with the first release, it will feature 26 digitally restored episodes and extensive special features. Take a look at our Optimum Avengers page for an exclusive preview of the box art and special features, courtesy of Jaz Wiseman and Optimum Releasing.

Monday 7th September 2009 -
Optimum DVD - Interview, Screen Captures and Telesnaps! 
Check out Optimum Avengers for an exclusive interview with Jaz Wiseman, special features producer. We also have a first peek (anywhere!) at the recently discovered Series One telesnaps courtesy of Leonard White and screen capture comparisons of the new restorations and the old DVD versions, courtesy of Jaz and Optimum. Take a look!

Wednesday 8th July 2009 -
Finally! The Avengers DVD set that fans have been waiting for! 
Yes, it's true. You can believe your eyes. The Avengers is coming to UK DVD from Optimum Releasing this October and it's news so big, it has been given its own section here - Optimum Avengers. Take a look there for a full rundown on the extra features in the first volume (cover Series 1+2) and the first clear image of the box artwork published anywhere. Thanks to Optimum for giving The Avengers Declassified this exclusive.

The DVD sets will contain audio commentaries and interviews, archive features and many other exciting items, including extensive stills galleries - and there's still more to be confirmed. Watch the Optimum Avengers pages for updated information.

Tuesday 23rd June 2009 -
The Star Who Fell From Grace - new single from Honor Blackman!
She may still be trying to forget the wonderfully slipshod single she made with Patrick Macnee, Kinky Boots, but the delightful Honor Blackman is on the verge of releasing a new single!

Entitled The Star Who Fell From Grace, this is to be released in the UK on Monday 13th July 2009. It might not bother the charts, but good luck to Honor in her latest endeavour. Buy from Amazon.co.uk and support this site.

Tuesday 16th June 2009 -
German Avengers fans get 1967 DVD release this August
Newly listed on www.amazon.de - the second DVD volume from Kinowelt, featuring the full Emma Peel colour series across eight discs.

After their stylish and unique packaging for Edition 1 (Series 4, B/W Emma Peel), Kinowelt have continued to go for a retro look with this packaging. These designs are undoubtedly among the most attractive ever to adorn an Avengers home video release. It's great that there are still new DVD releases of the series being issued, all over Europe and the world. Click on the image for a direct link to Amazon.de's pre-order page for the release.

The DVD set is due for release on Friday 21st August 2009.

Saturday 13th June 2009 - Sir Frank N. Stone!  After the downbeat opening to AvengerNews, it's pleasing to be able to pass along some good news. Veteran character actor, Christopher Lee is to be Knighted in the Queen's Birthday Honours this summer. Lee made two unforgettable appearances in The Avengers, as Dr. Stone in Never, Never Say Die and as Colonel Mannering in The Interrogators. He made his name in Hammer Films between the Fifties and Seventies, and has gone on to feature in major film franchises including James Bond, The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars. This award is much deserved and perhaps more than a little overdue. A legend of the British screen.

Tuesday 2nd June 2009 - Terence Alexander (1923-2009): Another sad passing to report - this time, Terence Alexander, veteran of four Avengers episodes - The Town of No Return, The Correct Way to Kill, Love All and Angels of Death (The New Avengers). Best known for his role as Charlie Hungerford in Bergerac, Terence Alexander was an immensely popular actor and will be much missed.

Friday 22nd May 2009 - Simon Oates (1932-2009): I'm very sorry to report that the actor Simon Oates, known to fans of The Avengers principally for his turn as John Steed on the Birmingham and London stage in 1971, died on Wednesday 20th May 2009 after a long illness. Aside from his starring role in The Avengers stage play, Simon also made three memorable guest appearances in The Avengers - in You Have Just Been Murdered, Super Secret Cypher Snatch and Hostage (The New Avengers). He was best known to mainstream audiences for his role as Dr John Ridge in Doomwatch and had a long and successful career in television and on the stage. Alys and I were privileged to interview Simon last November at his home in East Sussex and were taken aback at the incredibly warm welcome that he and his wife, Jaki, afforded us - two complete strangers. Simon was quite clearly not a well man even then, but he was wonderful company, full of funny, surprising and fascinating stories, delivered with passion and wit. Alys and I are devastated that Simon has passed away and send our heartfelt condolences to Jaki, the family and Simon's many friends. As a measure of our affection for Simon, we have dedicated this new website to his memory. Visitors are welcome to read the interview and our tribute to this kind gentleman. Rest in peace, Simon. And thank you.

Friday 15th May 2009 - Charles 'Bud' Tingwell (1923-2009): The much-loved Australian actor, Charles 'Bud' Tingwell, who appeared in The Avengers episodes The Nutshell and Return of the Cybernauts, has died aged 86. Tingwell worked in Britain for many years, featuring in fondly recalled series like Catweazle, Adam Adamant Lives! and Gerry Anderson's UFO, before returning to his homeland where he remained working right to the end. A talented actor who will be sadly missed on both sides of the globe.

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