The first image from the Doctor Who Christmas special has been unveiled by the BBC.

The photograph sees Santa Claus, played by Shaun of the Dead’s Nick Frost, and the Doctor in a hoodie braving the snow in the North Pole.

The first preview of the Christmas special episode will air on BBC’s Children in Need show on Friday.

Capaldi will be joined by companion Clara, played by Jenna Coleman, as well as guest stars Natalie Gumede, Nathan McMullen, Michael Troughton and Faye Marsay for the festive special.

The Thick of It actor made his debut appearance as the Time Lord during last year's Christmas special.

This year's as yet unnamed Christmas episode has been written by Steven Moffat and directed by Paul Wilmhurst.

Santa has already made an appearance in the most recent series of Doctor Who, which ended this Saturday.

Nick Frost’s Father Christmas was seen on screen briefly at the end of "Death in Heaven" moments after the Doctor parted ways with Clara.

Santa bursts into the Tardis, saying: “She’s not alright, you know, and neither are you. I’m coming in!”