The BBC today announced the guest stars for the currently-shooting DOCTOR WHO Christmas Special, to be directed by Farren Blackburn.

Joining Matt Smith will be Arabella Blackburn, Bill Bailey, Alexander Armstrong (the voice of Mr Smith in THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES) and Claire Skinner (OUTNUMBERED, pictured below).

In the special (title as yet unannounced), Skinner will be appearing as WWII evacuee Madge Arwell, who, with her two children Lily and Cyril (something going on with the names there?) fetches up in a ‘draughty old house’ in Dorset at Christmas time. And guess Who the caretaker is…?

Skinner described Arwell as “a magical part,” while showrunner Steven Moffat commented, “The Doctor at Christmas – nothing is more fun to write. Of all the Doctors, Matt Smith’s is the one that was born for this time of year – so it’s the best news possible that he’s heading back down the chimney.”

Expect the Special to be broadcast at about 6pm on Christmas Day.

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