Catherine set for Dr Who Christmas special

Catherine Tate is to appear in the Doctor Who Christmas special.

The 38-year-old comic will play Donna, a runaway bride, who made a surprise brief cameo in the episode screened last nightt, appearing in the Tardis dressed in full wedding gear.

The Doomsday episode, the last in the current series, was also the final one for Billie Piper, whose character Rose bade an emotional farewell to David Tennant’s Doctor.

Writer Russell T Davies said: ‘Doctor Who and Catherine Tate is just the most irresistible combination.

‘We filmed Catherine's appearance episode many months ago, and I'm delighted the secret is out at last.

‘But after two years of travelling with Rose, the Tardis is in for a bumpy ride with Donna on board.’

Tate said: ‘I'm honoured and delighted to be joining David Tennant aboard the Tardis. I was holding out for summer season at Wigan rep but as a summer job this'll do.’

Published: 9 Jul 2006