The Daleks will be appearing in the new series of Doctor Who after all, the BBC has confirmed. The news comes after a prolonged campaign in support of the homicidal salt cellars by Who aficionados which attracted high-profile backing from UK tabloid the Sun.

The BBC says that artistic differences between the Corporation and the estate of Dalek creator Terry Nation have been resolved. Speaking for Terry Nation's estate, Tim Hancock enthused: "I am absolutely delighted that the Terry Nation estate and the BBC have been able to reach agreement on terms for the use of the Daleks in the new Doctor Who series. We look forward to working closely with the production team in the forthcoming months."

The galavanting Time Lord - played by Christopher Eccleston - returns to our screens in 2005. Former pop chanteuse Billie Piper will be the doctor's assistant Rose Tyler. ®

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