A Dalek

A Dalek

The Daleks have been confirmed to star in the 'Doctor Who' 50th anniversary special.

The formidable aliens - the most iconic foe of the Time Lord - will appear in the show, to be broadcast on November 23, exactly 50 years after it first started in 1963.

The special will also pit the Doctor against the Zygons, who last appeared in 1975 facing Tom Baker as Doctor Who.

Lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat said: "The Doctor once said that you can judge a man by the quality of his enemies, so it's fitting that for this very special episode, he should be facing the greatest enemies of all."

Thankfully the Doctor - played by Matt Smith, who will leave the show at the end of this year - won't have to face the Daleks alone, as he will be joined by assistant Jenna Louise Coleman, seen in the most recent series as Clara Oswald, and former assistant Billie Piper, who played Rose Tyler. Former 'Gavin and Stacey' star Joanne Page will also have a role in the show, as will John Hurt, who will play a previously unseen incarnation of The Doctor.

Footage for the new episodes was shot in Cardiff and London earlier this year, including at famous landmarks in the capital, fuelling rumours the Daleks and Zygons could join forces and attempt to take over the UK.