Daleks return described as an “easy decision” by show supremo

Executive producer Steven Moffat also said the croaky-voiced villains “sum up the whole series just by being there”.

“We’ve been off the air for longer than usual, so it was an easy decision to come back with Doctor Who at its most iconic and that means Daleks, lots and lots of scary Daleks,” he said.

The new series also sees the Timelord, played by Matt Smith, get to grips with dinosaurs, and hitching a ride on the back of one of the creatures caused him a few problems.

He said: “I had to wear padded trousers. Dinosaurs are a lot lumpier than horses, so it was a painful couple of hours, a laugh though and definitely worth it as it’s going to look great.”

The new series will also feature a range of guest starts including Steven Berkoff and Jemma Redgrave and there will be tears when Karen Gillan bows out in an adventure that sees her come face to face with the weeping angels in New York.

The star, who plays the Timelord’s sidekick Amy Pond, will leave in the fifth episode of the new series along with on-screen husband Rory, who is played by Arthur Darvill, after a showdown with the sinister, silent aliens.

She said: “I always knew that Steven had an ending for Amy Pond and when I met with him a year or so ago it was kind of like, so what are the plans for the character and we both said that she should go at this point.

“It was such a fantastic mutual decision and completely the right time for Amy to leave. I will miss her, but I can’t wait for fans to see what happens.”

She will be replaced by Jenna-Louise Coleman, who is set to play the doctor’s new companion.

Mr Smith said: “We knew it was coming, but just didn’t believe it. It is one of those things like when you are on holiday and you suddenly realise it is Friday and you are going home on Monday.

“But that is what the show is about, evolution and regeneration, and we now have Jenna who is lovely and great.”