THE Daleks will return in the new series of Doctor Who after the BBC resolved a dispute with the estate of their creator, the corporation said yesterday.
A month ago the BBC announced that the Time Lord's most infamous enemies would not be joining the new doctor, Christopher Eccleston, after negotiations with Tim Hancock, the agent for the estate of the late Terry Nation, broke down.
The BBC claimed that Mr Hancock had demanded unacceptable levels of editorial control. Mr Hancock accused the BBC of trying to ruin the Dalek "brand".
It was suggested that there was unhappiness at plans to make the Daleks "too evil". The series is being written by Russell T Davies, the creator of the controversial drama Queer As Folk. Insiders say the original plan was for a single, rogue Dalek in a plotline similar to the film Alien, before letting loose an entire Dalek army at the end of the series.
Yesterday, the corporation refused to say how much it had paid for permission to bring back the warlike metal aliens for the 13-part series to be broadcast next year.
Antony Wainer, of the Dr Who Appreciation Society, said the fan club was "absolutely delighted" at the Daleks' return.
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