The companion in this year’s Doctor Who Christmas episode has been revealed.

2016’s festive special began filming in Cardiff this week.

Steven Moffat revealed in June that the Christmas ep will not feature Pearl Mackie and that new companion Bill won’t be introduced until the first episode of Season 10 next year.

He teased: “So there’ll be somebody else – a different, guest companion – this Christmas, like how River Song played the companion role in last year’s Special.”

Fans on location today have now discovered who that guest companion will be.

Matt Lucas will return as Nardole alongside Peter Capaldi’s Doctor this Christmas.

The Little Britain star made his debut as Nardole, who met the Doctor on the human colony of Mendorax Dellora in the year 5343, in ‘The Husbands of River Song’.

It was previously announced that Nardole would be a recurring character next year, but the assumption had been that he would not be back until Season 10’s first episode.

Lucas has hinted that “Nardole is becoming more textured” in his new adventures.

#dwsr Matt Lucas is in the Christmas special!! Such a sweetie pic.twitter.com/GqZICU5C8n

— Lucie Mayer (@zira131528) September 7, 2016

Peter Capaldi confirmed this week that Season 10 will begin in April 2017.