If your boat isn’t exactly floated by the news that Sir Alan Sugar is returning for two more years of unleashing mammon-worshipping Next-suited MBAs on the general public, or that Darcey Bussell will be pirouetting her way onto a Strictly Come Dancing judges chair, or even that they’re making a sewing version of The Great British Bake-Off, then you’re in good company.

Never fear though. The Fades may still be cancelled, Dirk Gently may be no more, and we’ve months to wait until Sherlock’s return, but this year’s crop of new and returning UK TV has more than a few geek treats in store. Read on to see which 2012 shows are causing us to drum our fingers impatiently and draw big felt-tip crosses on the calendar…

Doctor Who

No prizes for guessing our first entry. August is the month we’re expecting to see Asylum of the Daleks on the BBC, shortly after its BFI and Edinburgh Television Festival screenings. The series seven opener will be followed by the subsequent four episodes (Dinosaurs on a Spaceship; A Town Called Mercy; Cubed; unknown), and then a Christmas special in which we first meet new companion Clara. After the mid-season finale, episodes seven to fourteen will be with us in early 2013.