Doctor Who fans face a Christmas without their favourite show, with no festive special planned – for the second year running.

But there is some good news – the long-awaited 12th series is due to start on New Year’s Day, with one of the biggest episodes in the show’s history.

Insiders say the first instalment of a two-part story, starring Jodie Whittaker , is one of the most ambitious ever attempted.

A BBC One source said: “It’s going to be huge. The scale is just epic. No one will be disappointed.”

Whittaker and her time-travelling pals Bradley Walsh as Graham O’Brien, Tosin Cole as his step grandson Ryan Sinclair and Mandip Gill as Yasmin Khan, will all return for the new 10-part run.

(Image: BBC)

(Image: BBC)

The second half of the story is then expected to air on January 4, as the series shifts back to its traditional Saturday evening teatime slot.

A festive special involving the Daleks is thought to have already been filmed – but it will not air until next Christmas or New Year.

Show more

Writer Chris Chibnall is keen to keep details of the new run secret, but the Mirror has revealed the Cybermen are due to return, along with other old favourites.

Last year’s series consolidated with ratings of 8.6 million viewers, making it the most popular for a decade.