The new issue of Doctor Who Magazine has announced the character names for the guest cast of this year’s Doctor Who Christmas special.

The magazine’s latest issue is dedicated to Elisabeth Sladen, who played companion Sarah Jane Smith, featuring never-before-published photos and tributes from Tom Baker, David Tennant and Matt Smith.

Written by executive producer Steven Moffat, the 60-minute Christmas 2011 special will be set during World War II and sees the Doctor (Matt Smith) “in war-torn England embarking on a magical and mysterious adventure with a young widow and her two children”.

It was revealed last month that the special will star Claire Skinner (Outnumbered), comedian Bill Bailey, Arabella Weir (The Fast Show) and Alexander Armstrong (Armstrong & Miller), who provides the voice of Mr Smith in CBBC spin-off The Sarah Jane Adventures.

The newly confirmed character details are as follows:

Claire Skinner – Madge Arwell
Alexander Armstrong – Reg Arwell
Holly Earl – Lily Arwell
Maurice Cole – Cyril Arwell
Bill Bailey – Droxil
Arabella Weir – Billis
Paul Bazely – Ven-Garr

Skinner has described her character as “a bit of super-mum,” while Bailey has said he will be playing a “sort of futuristic space gardener.”

Which Doctor Who Christmas special has been your favourite so far? Let us know below…

> Order the Series 6 DVD boxset on Amazon.

> Order the Series 6 Blu-ray boxset on Amazon.

Watch the trailer for last year’s Christmas special…