EX-Coronation Street star Natalie Gumede is set to become the latest East Lancashire addition to the cast of Dr Who after it was confirmed she would be appearing in the sci-fi epic’s Christmas special.

The Strictly Come Dancing favourite’s actual role has not been revealed – but she will appear alongside Hot Fuzz and Spaced actor Nick Frost, and Peter Capaldi.

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The former Colne Park High pupil has already said on Twitter that she is ‘well excited’ to be part of the show, with filming already said to be under way in Cardiff.

Nelson’s John Simm was the last Pendle native to appear in the rebooted BBC franchise, after being picked to play the Doctor’s arch-nemesis, The Master.

He appeared from 2007 to 2009 opposite the 10th Doctor, David Tennant.

The yuletide show, which has been written by Steven Moffat, will also feature Michael Troughton, who played the second incarnation of the Time Lord Natalie has spent a portion of 2014 on another extraordinary shoot – on the sunny shores of Guadeloupe in the Caribbean.

She was a guest star in the upcoming fourth series of Death In Paradise, starring Kris Marshall, and was on location there last June.