Catherine Tate is set to make a shock return to Doctor Who, it's reported.

The comedienne, 40, will return as sidekick Donna Noble in one of four BBC1 specials next year, The Sun reports. A source said: "Fans will be delighted to see Catherine back.

"She was one of the wackiest companions of all time." In the finale of the last run, Donna had memories of her time with the Timelord "wiped".

The Doctor Who specials will also see Life On Mars actor John Simm back as the Timelord's enemy the Master.

A source said: "It's great to have John back - he and David Tennant have a real nemesis chemistry."

Also returning is Bernard Cribbins as Donna's granddad Wilf. The specials replace a full series so that David Tennant, who plays the Doctor, can concentrate on theatre work.

David Tennant is also close to signing for a new full series of the sci-fi hit for 2010, according to the report.

Our source said: "David loves filming Doctor Who. The upcoming specials have given him more freedom to work on other projects this year and now he's ready to come back to film a proper series to go out in 2010."

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