Yesterday evening, show’s official Twitter feed set off a speculation frenzy by tweeting: “Casting news! An iconic star will be appearing in #DoctorWho and we’ve been granted permission to reveal who at midnight… See you at 00:00!”

55-year-old Grant begins filming his scenes this week, and has said he’s “honoured” to be in the special, which will see Jenna-Louise Coleman make her debut as the Doctor’s new companion.

Silent Witness star Tom Ward, who has starred in BBC One’s crime drama since 2002, will also be guest starring in the episode.

Many of you may recognise Richard E Grant as the unofficial “Lick-the-mirror handsome” 10th Doctor from 1999’s Red Nose Day spoof Doctor Who and the Curse of Fatal Death, written by Steven Moffat himself. Grant starred alongside Julia Sawalha and Jonathan Price as the short-lived incarnation before being blown up and replaced with Jim Broadbent.

Grant also portrayed what was originally supposed to be the official ninth Doctor before the show’s revival in 2003’s animated online drama Scream of the Shalka alongside Sophie Okonedo and David Tennant, who both went on to star in the revival years later.

Though no details over the exact nature of the role have been released yet, rumours are circulating that he’ll be playing a villain, and with such a great actor, it’d be a shame to waste his talents on a secondary role. We’re probably not the first to say this, but we’re going to stir up the rumour mill here by simply saying, The Master?

What role would you like to see Richard E Grant play in the Christmas special? Let us know below…

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