Doctor Who has broken a new TV record thanks to the return of a much-loved character.
The long-running BBC series delighted fans last month when a selection of former stars from over the years returned to send Jodie Whittaker off in style as she enjoyed one last stint as The Doctor.
Among the stars who joined Jodie for her final hurrah in The Power of the Doctor in October was William Russell, 98, who reprised his role of Ian Chesterton 57 years on from first appearing on the sci-fi show.
Science teacher Ian was a companion of the very first Doctor, played by William Hartnell from November 1963 until October 1966.
During his original stint on Doctor Who during the 60s, William appeared in a total of 77 episodes throughout the first two series about the adventures of everyone's favourite Time Lord, before reprising his role 57 years later for Jodie's swan song last month.
William's sensational return didn't just delight fans, but also earned him a place in The Guinness Book of Records.
The actor now holds the record for the longest gap between TV appearances thanks to the 57 years and 120 day gap between his last two performances as The Doctor's companion Ian.
Confirming the new record on the BBC show's 59th anniversary, they said: "The longest gap between TV appearances is 57 years 120 days, and was achieved by William Russell (UK) as the Doctor Who character Ian Chesterton in the 'The Power of the Doctor' episode, which aired on 23 October 2022."
William's Doctor Who comebacks robs Coronation Street actor Philip Lowrie of the record, thanks to the soap star previously holding the titles thanks to his return to the ITV soap as Dennis Tanner after 43 years away from the cobbles.
William isn't the only familiar face to return to the Doctor Who set earlier this year.
David Tennant, who quit his role as The Doctor in 2010, has been filming scenes with Catherine Tate for three special episodes set to air next year, before Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa steps into the famous Tardis.
Last week, during BBC's Children In Need Appeal Show, The Doctor's new companion was revealed as former Coronation Street actress Millie Gibson.
The soap star, 18, best known as Kelly Neelan on the cobbles, will make her debut over the festive season in 2023 when the Fifteenth Doctor, Ncuti, begins his reign on the BBC show.
Of her new role, Millie said: "It's insane. I was so honoured to even be considered for an audition. I just hope I can make you all happy and fill the boots of the other companions.
"I will be playing a character called Ruby Sunday."
