The three hour-long programmes will air on BBC One on 25 November, 2 December and 9 December, respectively, and will also be available on iPlayer. The episode titles have previously been revealed as ‘The Star Beast’, ‘Wild Blue Yonder’ and ‘The Giggle’.

After ‘The Star Beast’ airs, 30-minute behind-the-scenes programme Doctor Who: Unleashed will be broadcast on BBC Three, and will also be available on iPlayer. Doctor Who Confidential aired from 2005-11, and provided a similar peak behind the curtain of the show’s production.

The first of the anniversary specials shares its name with 1980 comic strip Doctor Who and the Star Beast, which introduces Beep the Meep. The Meep will be making their live action debut in the anniversary specials, where they are to be voiced by Miriam Margolyes (The Age of Innocence).

In the comic strip, the Meep’s unassuming fluffy appearance is revealed to belie their psychopathic true nature. Beep’s entire species has been twisted by Black Sun radiation, leading them to pursue intergalactic domination.

The Meep is pursued by the Wrarth Warriors, an insectoid race that turn out to have been biologically constructed with the sole aim of bringing Beep to justice. The Warriors were made by the five strongest species in their universe, and notably also made an appearance in the trailers for the Doctor Who anniversary specials.

Meanwhile, the BBC has remained tight-lipped over the exact release of the subsequent Christmas special, which will see Ncuti Gatwa (Sex Education) take over the role of the Doctor. This special will air “over the festive season”, the BBC said in a press release today.

The 60^th anniversary specials see fan favourites David Tennant (Good Omens) and Catherine Tate (The Catherine Tate Show) return as the Doctor and companion Donna Noble.