For the millions of fans gnashing their teeth and counting the hours until they get more Doctor Who after a year-long break (oh, to have a Tardis in that dark, dark time), the wait is nearly over. 365 days since Peter Capaldi last stepped through those blue doors his Doctor is back for another Christmas adventure – and this time, it has a superhero twist.

What we know so far is that “The Return of Doctor Mysterio” will see the Doctor team up with a superpowered vigilante called The Ghost (Justin Chatwin) and a journalist (Charity Wakefield) to save New York City from alien attack. Just another day at the office, then.

What time is the Doctor Who Christmas Special on TV?

The festive special will air at 5.45pm on BBC1 on Christmas Day.

Who’s in it?

Peter Capaldi returns as the Twelfth Doctor with the aforementioned Justin Chatwin (above) and Charity Wakefield in tow. However, they’re not the real companions for this episode – that honour goes to Little Britain star Matt Lucas, who returns to the series as Nardole after introducing him as River Song’s assistant last Christmas.

One notable absence will be Pearl Mackie’s new companion Bill, who despite being announced earlier this year apparently won’t turn up until the full new series next April – unless of course, they’ve planned a sneaky cameo for her that they’re keeping under wraps.

Who’s the baddie?

We don’t officially know yet, but some eagle-eyed fans have spotted that the company the Doctor investigates in a recently-released clip from the episode is called Harmony Shoal, almost certainly a reference to a mysterious organization from last year’s Christmas Special called Shoal of the Winter Harmony.

As you may or may not remember, these odd chaps could pull parts of their heads off and store things inside, as signified by a telltale scar on their faces (above). We think it looks rather like the scar that can be seen on a scientist in released footage from The Return of Doctor Mysterio, no?

With that said, we also have a theory that this year’s episode could see a return for frequently festive foe The Great Intelligence, whose own logo bears a resemblance to The Ghost’s insignia.

It’s all up for grabs so far.

Why is it called The Return of Doctor Mysterio? 

Well, firstly it’s a reference to the fact that “Doctor Mysterio” is what Doctor Who is called in Mexico, a fact that delighted Peter Capaldi when he first learned it. But it’s also a riff on many a classic superhero comic-book title as you can see below (in keeping with the episode’s superhero plot), and we wouldn’t be surprised if Doctor Mysterio is some sort of supervillain-y alias the Doctor gives himself after meeting a bonafide superhero.

Monty Python star Michael Palin and Doctor Who writer Steven Moffat are to be inducted into the Radio Times Hall of Fame.

The pair will be honoured at the BFI & Radio Times Television Festival in April.

Actress Julie Walters will also take to the stage as part of the three-day event.

She will share memories in a tribute to comedian Victoria Wood, who died in April.

The festival will begin with Palin’s induction into the hall of fame, followed by a screening of BBC drama East of Ipswich, which he wrote in 1987.

Moffat will be inducted after a conversation on stage with comedian Frank Skinner about the writer’s career and his work on Doctor Who and Sherlock – both of which are produced in Wales.

Slumdog Millionaire star Freida Pinto will attend the premiere of her new series Guerilla, which also stars Idris Elba and was created by 12 Years A Slave writer John Ridley.

Keeley Hawes will also attend the premiere of the new series of her hit drama The Durrells.

The Archers: The Trial of Helen Titchener will feature appearances from Louiza Patikas and Tim Watson, who played Rob and Helen Titchener, and Sean O’Connor, the former editor of the radio drama.

They will discuss the show’s domestic violence storyline, while the cast and creators of Call the Midwife will also appear on a panel.

Authors Jacqueline Wilson, Michael Morpurgo and Judith Kerr, who have all had work adapted for the small screen, will also appear at the festival.

It will take place from 7 April at BFI Southbank in London.

DOCTOR WHO fans were thrilled after it was revealed that Daniel Nettheim will be returning to the show to direct part of series 10.

The Humans director will be steering “Block 5” of the new season, which is due to begin airing in April.

Australia-born Nettheim has already proven a hit with viewers after he directed the Zygon Invasion / Inversion episodes last year.

Nettheim confirmed the exciting news by posting a picture of the TARDIS to Instagram, captioning the image: “Shoot Day #1.”

Although it is not known exactly which episodes Nettheim will be helming, it is thought Michelle Gomez will feature in them as Missy.

Gomez confirmed last month she would definitely be returning as The Doctor’s Time Lady arch-nemesis, Missy in 2017.

She told Music.com: “I can officially say that I will be starting back on Doctor Who soon.”

Doctor Who will be returning before next year for its annual Christmas Day episode.

However, the Doctor’s new companion, Pearl Mackie, will not be joining the show until the start of the tenth series.

Doctor Who, The Return of Doctor Mysterio, will air on BBC One on Christmas Day.

The composer who helped craft the Doctor Who theme tune is set to be honoured by having a road named after her.

Delia Derbyshire built a reputation as a pioneer of electronic music and used her abilities to give the now-famous score composed by Ron Grainer a rework in 1963.

To recognise the influence her work had over the way music was produced for decades to come, Ms Derbyshire, who died in 2001, will be commemorated by the creation of Derbyshire Way in Coventry.

Councillor Gary Ridley said: “Delia Derbyshire produced sounds in the 1960s which were at least 20 years ahead of their time.

“A true pioneer of electronic music, she achieved this without the modern equipment that producers had in the 1980s and 1990s.

“Perhaps best known for the theme tune to Doctor Who, Delia will remain a national treasure and this is a fitting tribute to one of Coventry’s most celebrated daughters.”

The Television Director Ken Grieve has died at the age of 74

For Doctor Who Ken Grieve directed the first story of Season 17, Destiny of the Daleks, which saw the reintroduction of the Daleks to the series, after a gap of four years, and the return of Davros. It was the last script wirtten by Dalek creator Terry Nation, although the story was heavily rewritten by Script Editor Douglas Adams.

Ken Grieve was born in Edinburgh in 1942.

After training as a cameraman, he moved into directing, working on episodes of the soap opera Coronation Street, with 42 episodes to his credit. He directed the location film footage of Manchester used in the Coronation Street opening titles used between 1976 and 1990, which included the first Corrie cat.

As well as Doctor Who his credits include The XYY Man, Buccaneer, Crown Court, Game, Set, and Match, Bergerac, Bugs, Peak Practice, The Bill and the Casualty episode Stormy Weather.

He taught at the National Film School and the Manchester Film School.

Kenneth Grieve died peacefully, on Tuesday, November 15 after a long illness. He is survived by his long-term partner Jane, his four children and three grandchildren.