Doctor Who returns on Christmas Day for a festive special, introducing Jenna-Louise Coleman as new companion Clara and guest starring Richard E Grant and Tom Ward.

Christmas Eve 1892 and the falling snow is the stuff of fairy-tales. When the fairy-tale becomes a nightmare and a chilling menace threatens Earth, an unorthodox young governess, Clara, calls on the Doctor for help. But the Doctor is in mourning, reclusive and determined not to engage in the problems of the universe. As old friends return, will the Doctor really abandon humankind or will he fight to save the world – and Christmas – from the icy clutches of this mysterious menace.

‘The Snowmen’ airs at 5.15pm on Tuesday 25 December on BBC One. To whet your appetite, here are ten hints for the episode…

» Pond trouble for The Doctor hasn’t ended. It’s only just begun.

» Don’t forget the Memory Worm. Or do. We can’t remember which. Wait, what’s a Memory Worm?

» Steven Moffat clearly enjoys writing Sherlock. Yes, Sherlock.

» The old Governess has a rather… frosty… temperament.

» Can you work out the answer to the One Word test?

» We don’t know what an automated laser monkey is, but we want one for Christmas.

» The TARDIS: bigger on the inside, but not as big as you remember. Still room for a kitchen though.

» Mr. Punch would make a terrible 12th Doctor.

» Here’s an umbrella. Now go save the world.

» Look out for a very important date.

> Buy Series 7 Part 1 on DVD on Amazon.

Are you looking forward to ‘The Snowmen’? Let us know below…