It seems to have now been confirmed that the new series of Doctor Who will comprise of 12 episodes.

A leaked email from BBC Worldwide last summer reportedly revealed “plans to air 12 new episodes from August 2014″, but the number of episodes has still not been announced in any officially-released promotional material for Series 8.

Following the leak of scripts for five episodes from Series 8 earlier this week, director Douglas Mackinnon ‏tweeted: “Have read ALL 12 Doctor Who scripts. Directed3. Please watch finished eps! Eating ingredients of a recipe doesn’t mean you’ve had the meal!”

Entertainment Weekly has also since confirmed that it’s a “12-episode season”.

Since Doctor Who‘s return in 2005, each series has traditionally run for 13 episodes, plus a Christmas special.

However, fans should not feel hard done-by as Series 8 opens with a “feature-length premiere episode”, ‘Deep Breath’, which is apparently 75 minutes long – almost the length of a two-part story.

A Christmas special will also air in December.

Series 8 will begin on BBC One on Saturday 23 August.

> Here’s everything we know about Series 8 so far.

Are you looking forward to Series 8? Let us know below…