David Tennant: “Doctor Who was bittersweet for me”

Also in this week’s bumper 56-page festive Big Issue

The Stone Roses biographer John Robb on the 18th anniversary of the band’s landmark interview with The Big Issue

Director Mike Newell on the lavish new adaptation of Great Expectations

Joey Barton on the Hamas/Israel crisis

The history of panto

Peter Serafinowicz on hating The Beatles and giving up booze in Letter To My Younger Self

John Bird on the necessity for direct political engagement

Plus, comic book legend Mark Millar, Dynamo the magician, the week’s cultural highlights in your area, Street Lights, competitions, and much more!