David Tennant is reprising his role in Doctor Who (Picture: James Pardon/BBC Studios)

Doctor Who returns to screens tonight, with a fan favourite back in the starring role as the Time Lord.

To mark the show’s 60th anniversary, a series of three specials will air over the coming weeks ahead of the next full series premiering next year.

Starring in these three specials is David Tennant, who played the 10th incarnation of the beloved character across three seasons between 2005 and 2010.

Then, last year, it was announced that the actor and his former co-star Catherine Tate, would reprise their roles.

Since then, it’s also been teased that they’ll be joined by Heartstopper’s Yasmin Finney as Donna Noble’s daughter, Rose Temple Noble, as well as Neil Patrick Harris as a sinister new villain, and Miriam Margolyes as a cute alien creature.

However ahead of the new episode, what do we actually know about David’s return to the starring role?

Why is David Tennant back as Doctor Who?

He will return for three episodes to mark the show’s 60th anniversary (Picture: BBC Studios)

The exciting news of David’s return was announced in 2022, with new photos of himself and Catherine, who starred as companion Donna Noble, teased on the show’s social media pages.

Returning showrunner Russell T Davies announced the huge news by writing: ‘THEY’RE BACK! The Doctor and Donna! But… how?! He wiped her memory! If she remembers, she’ll die!’

‘But, but… is it a flashback? A dream sequence? A lie? A fantasy? A parallel universe?! Alt Doctor? The Land of Fiction?! You’ll find out in 2023 as Doctor Who hits its 60th – diamond! – anniversary!’

‘Maybe this is a missing story. Or a parallel world. Or a dream, or a trick, or a flashback.

‘The only thing I can confirm is that it’s going to be spectacular, as two of our greatest stars reunite for the battle of a lifetime.’

Catherine Tate is also back as his companion Donna Noble (Picture: PA)

The pair last starred together on the show in 2009, with companion Donna suffering one of the most heartbreaking exits of any Doctor Who character.

When speaking about his return during an appearance on This Morning in July last year, David said it was ‘a bit like 15 years never happened to be honest’.

Asked by whether Russell had got in touch to talk about his comeback plans, David explained: ‘It sort of gradually kind of evolved as an idea and we really thought maybe he could let us do a one-off for old time’s sake. And then suddenly it became a bit more than that. We did three.’

While he joked returning had felt ‘weirdly familiar’, David added it was ‘joyous’ and like no time had passed at all.

The first of the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials will be called The Star Beast.

The following instalments will be called Wild Blue Yonder, which will air on Saturday December 2, and The Giggle, which will air on December 9.

When is Ncuti Gatwa playing Doctor Who?

Ncuti Gatwa will soon take over the starring role (Picture: BBC/Bad Wolf)

In May last year Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa was announced as the 15th Doctor.

At the time he said there ‘aren’t quite the words to describe how I’m feeling’ but that he was feeling a mix of ‘deeply honoured, beyond excited and of course a little bit scared’.

‘This role and show means so much to so many around the world, including myself, and each one of my incredibly talented predecessors has handled that unique responsibility and privilege with the utmost care. I will endeavour my upmost to do the same,’ he added.

His casting came after Jodie Whittaker stepped down as the 13th Doctor.

His first episode as lead actor is set to air on Christmas Day with a festive special, with the subsequent eight-episode 14th season scheduled to air next year.

His companion, Ruby Sunday, will be played by Coronation Street’s Millie Gibson.

Doctor Who returns tonight at 6.30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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The first of three specials hits screens tonight!