After weeks of speculation it was confirmed in tonight’s Doctor Who Christmas Special that Jenna Coleman will be returning for Series 9 next year.

The actress’ future in the show has been up in the air since her character, Clara Oswald, parted ways with the Doctor at the end of the last series but during Last Christmas, which aired this evening, she stepped back aboard the TARDIS for more timey-wimey adventures. “It’s wonderful,” Jenna said. “I get a whole other series of stories with the Doctor and I couldn’t walk away with the story being unresolved.”

She continued: “There is so much more to do. I think they have finally just reached a point where they really understand each other. The arrival of the 12th Doctor has just kind of dropped this whole bombshell and allowed the dynamic to totally change, so I think just when Clara was feeling more comfortable in the relationship, it has suddenly thrown something new up.”

Meanwhile, Peter Capaldi has revealed he’s “thrilled” he’ll be reunited with his co-star when filming resumes in Cardiff next month. “Jenna’s always a pleasure to work with,” he added.

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“It’s a long story.” Click here to discuss this year’s Doctor Who Christmas Special!