Guest starring Claire Skinner (Outnumbered), comedian Bill Bailey, Arabella Weir (The Fast Show) and Alexander Armstrong (Armstrong & Miller), Doctor Who returns for a 60-minute Christmas special, written by executive producer Steven Moffat.

When Madge Arwell and her two children, Lily and Cyril, are forced out of London by the Blitz, they move to a house in Dorset run by a peculiar caretaker in a tweed jacket and a bowtie, who sets about giving the children the best Christmas of their lives. However, it’s the big blue box under the tree in the living room which contains the most fantastic – and dangerous – present of all: an unforgettable journey through time and space.

The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe will air at 7pm on Christmas Day on BBC One. To whet your appetite, here are ten hints for the episode…

» The Doctor gets dressed… in a hurry.

» It still doesn’t ‘do wood’.

» The Doctor really should consider a career as an interior decorator. It’s a wonder he’s never been on Changing Rooms.

» Keep an eye out for a quick glimpse of an amazing portrait of a monkey.

» The weather outside is frightful – but it’s not snow.

» The Doctor does something very human that he’s never done before.

» Which alien encountered by the 9th Doctor ‘wood’ get a name-check?

» Your Christmas tree is going to seem far less impressive after watching this episode.

» Carollers are most definitely not welcome.

» Keys? Clicking the fingers? Nah, all you need is a pointy thing…

> Order the Christmas special on DVD on Amazon.

Are you looking forward the Christmas special? Let us know below…