Doctor Who's Mark Gatiss was reduced to tears when he read the script for the forthcoming Christmas special.

Mark Gatiss

Mark Gatiss

The 49-year-old screenwriter - who played Professor Lazarus and Gantok in 2007 and 2011 respectively in the sci-fi series - has admitted he's seen the running order of the festive episode, penned by his friend Steven Moffat, and couldn't stop the tears streaming down his face.

He explained: "I think the Christmas special... which is the only one this year...I think is one of Steve's best ever scripts, absolutely beautiful. It made me cry."

The mastermind behind 'Sherlock' has also read the scripts for the first three episodes of the next series, which will hit screens next year, but had to refrain from ingesting anymore as he didn't want to spoil the whole thing for himself.

Speaking at a Victoria and Albert Museum members' talk in London last night (12.09.16), he said: "I've read three scripts. I've seen a little bit. Just because of the new companion and things. But I don't want to see it, because it spoils it! I am such a fan, I just want to watch it."

And Mark speaks from experience as he knew all about Peter Capaldi's debut scenes as the Time Lord in 2013.

He said: "Peter Capaldi's first season, the second half of that I knew nothing about. And it was such a joy to watch the next time trailer and just be totally surprised.

"So I mean, I have to, to some extent, but I try and see as little as possible, because I don't wanna spoil it."