Ten years ago today the Doctor Who Christmas Special, The Next Doctor aired for the very first time on BBC One in the UK.

Following on from the close of Journey's End, the Doctor is travelling alone once again. Donna is back with her family, all memories of her adventures with the Doctor erased, Rose is back in the parallel universe with the Tyler family and the metacrisis Doctor, while Martha, Mickey, Sarah-Jane and Jack have returned to lives on Earth. The Doctor travels back to Victorian London, and runs into some old adversaries in the form of the Cybermen - but this time he has help from what appears to be a future incarnation of himself. However, this new 'Doctor' isn't all that he seems and the Tenth Doctor soon uncovers a tragic tale.



It's Christmas Eve in 1851 and Cybermen stalk the snow of Victorian London. When the Doctor arrives and starts to investigate a spate of mysterious deaths, he's surprised to meet another Doctor, and soon the two must combine forces to defeat the ruthless Miss Hartigan. But are two Doctors enough to stop the rise of the CyberKing?


13.1 million viewers tuned in to the episode which starred starred David Tennant as the Doctor with guest stars David Morrissey, Velile Tshabalala and Dervla Kirwan.


Written by Russell T. Davies and directed by Andy Goddard. The episode was filmed on location in Gloucester and in Newport, and also used part of the Torchwood set at Upper Boat Studios for the scenes of the children's workshop. The title of the episode, following David Tennant's announcement that he was stepping down from the role, led to much speculation that David Morrissey would indeed be his replacement and the Doctor would regenerate during the special.

Watch the Doctor take on the Cyberking below:


Read some old articles below:

Source: Radio Times (20 Dec - 2 Jan)

   
Source: Doctor Who Adventures #95

   
Source: Radio Times (6-12 December 2008)