Doctor Who finale delivers huge surprise

This article contains spoilers about the final episode of Doctor Who. If you have not yet seen the episode and would prefer not to know what happens please do not read on.

The series finale of Doctor Who has set up the forthcoming 50th anniversary special in tantalising style, with the appearance of John Hurt as an apparent incarnation of The Doctor.

The episode, which was screened on Saturday night, saw Matt Smith's Doctor having to save Clara from his own Time Line, which contains all of his previous incarnations and adventures.

However there was a shock for both characters and viewers when they came across a character who had never been seen before - with the Doctor hinting that they were linked.

And the episode was rounded off with the caption 'Introducing John Hurt as The Doctor' - setting up a potentially explosive storyline for the forthcoming special which is due to screen in November.

Hurt's appearance comes following the news that he would be starring in the special episode along with Gavin and Stacey's Joanna Page, and former Doctor David Tennant, as well as Billie Piper, who played previous companion Rose Tyler.