On Friday’s Children in Need, the Doctor Who Christmas Special had its preview and I was shocked to see that opera singer Katherine Jenkins would be one of the cast members.
This is a remarkable peice of PR for the BBC, who have decided to do they can to attract the most amount of viewers possible.
Jenkins will sing a love song in a futuristic take on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol – itself being a really unique idea and one that is sure to entertain.
It will be the first time in the 47 years the sci-fi show has been on television that a musical performance will be integrated into a storyline.
Welsh singer Katherine is to perform a track specially-written by Murray Gold – who pens all the music for the show.
A source told the Daily Star: “It’s going to be an amazing surprise. We have never had anyone burst into song on Doctor Who. It’s a TV first for us. This will send ratings sky high.”
The episode is also hoping to attract viewers by including Harry Potter star Sir Michael Gambon as the futuristic Scrooge.
Matt Smith who plays The Doctor and Karen Gillan who plays his companion Amy Pond will set out on adventure to show Scrooge the error of his ways.
Creator Steven Moffat said: “It’s like a compilation of every Christmas movie – a big Christmas treat.”
The stars are also set to become Radio 1 DJs as they step in for a guest-presenting slot next month. Matt and Karen will be manning the decks on Christmas Eve.
Radio 1 bosses have also lined up a series of appearances from chart and TV stars over the festive period, including Pixie Lott, Plan B, Nicole Scherzinger, Tinie Tempah, N-Dubz and Gavin And Stacey star James Corden.
The PR Guru 