Matt Lucas will apparently be “quite different from your normal companion” in Doctor Who this Christmas.

2016’s festive special began filming in Cardiff earlier this month and features the return of the Little Britain star as Nardole. It is also rumoured that Canadian actor Justin Chatwin (Shameless, American Gothic) will guest star as a “superhero character.”

Lucas made his debut as Nardole, who met the Doctor on the human colony of Mendorax Dellora in the year 5343, in last year’s Christmas adventure, ‘The Husbands of River Song’. He will also be reprising the role as a recurring character in next year’s season.

The official Doctor Who fan show recently attended a read-through of this year’s special to give viewers some hints about what to expect.

Host Christel Dee revealed: “It was really interesting to see the Doctor and Nardole together as a companion.

“Nardole is quite different from your normal companion. Most companions are, like, impressed by everything – and it’s not that Nardole’s not impressed – but what I like about him is he’s almost like an anti-companion. He’s kinda like ‘can we not? Doctor, don’t do that. No.’

“But not in a horrible way – in a really, really funny way. They make such a great double act that’s going to make for a really funny Christmas special.”

Steven Moffat confirmed 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.

Peter Capaldi announced recently that the new season of Doctor Who will begin in April 2017.

Here’s everything we know so far about Season 10.

Are you looking forward to the return of Nardole? Let us know below…