DOCTOR Who and his new sidekick Donna Noble will have an "appointment with death" when they meet up with murder mystery writer Agatha Christie.
The Time Lord (David Tennant, 35) and his pal (Catherine Tate, 38) whizz back in time to meet the crime novelist in the next series of the BBC show.
And the pair get caught up in a murder mystery of their own with Agatha, who is played by Jekyll actress Fenella Woolgar, 31. Also joining the cast for the episode is The Good Life star Felicity Kendal, 60, who plays Agatha's friend Lady Clemency Eddison.
The news thrilled Christie's grandson, Mathew Prichard. "What a brilliant idea," he said.
"My grandmother and P' Doctor Who are two characters whose contribution to British entertainment is unrivalled. As far as I know my gran never saw Doctor Who but I am sure she would have been excited and flattered by all this attention."
Also joining the series — due to air in the spring of 2008 — is Tim Mclnnerny, 50, who famously played camp Lord Percy and also Captain Darling in the Blackadder comedy shows.
Filming has started in Wales and marks the debut of Catherine Tate as Donna after Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman, 27) decided to stay Earthbound.
Donna, last seen in the 2006 Christmas special The Runaway Bride, tracks down the Time Lord after an alien invasion of London.
Catherine said: "I am delighted to be returning. I had such a blast last time."
Caption: TRAVELLING ON: The doc and his latest sidekick Donna
Caption: MYSTERY: Fenella
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