The official website reveals: “Madge Arwell and her two children, Lily and Cyril, evacuated to a draughty old house in Dorset, where the caretaker is a mysterious young man in bow tie, and a big blue parcel is waiting for them under the tree. They are about to enter a magical new world and learn that a Time Lord never forgets his debts…”

Written by executive producer Steven Moffat, the 60-minute special will guest star Claire Skinner (Outnumbered), comedian Bill Bailey, Arabella Weir (The Fast Show) and Alexander Armstrong (Armstrong & Miller).

Skinner commented: “I am thrilled to be in Doctor Who playing Madge, who is a bit of super-mum. It’s a magical part.”

Meanwhile, the Daily Star newspaper has today claimed that the special will feature “lots of snow, chases through a wintry The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe-style forest, plus an icy baddie”.

The special’s director has also been confirmed by SFX as Farren Blackburn, who has previously worked on Survivors and Episode 1 of The Fades, which airs tonight.

Series 6 continues with ‘Closing Time’ at 7.10pm this Saturday on BBC One, guest starring James Corden.

> Order the Series 6 Part 2 DVD on Amazon.

> Order the Series 6 Part 2 Blu-ray on Amazon.

Watch the trailer for last year’s Christmas special…