Doctor Who will be back in an early evening slot when series 10 begins in a couple of weeks.

First episode 'The Pilot' will air at 7.20pm on Saturday, April 15 on BBC One.

Pearl Mackie's debut as new companion Bill Potts is getting an earlier slot than 2015's series nine launch, which went out at 7.40pm.

Peter Capaldi's own debut went out even later in 2014 – at 7.50pm – and some fans had grumbled about the later slot... so should be happy with where 'The Pilot' has landed.

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BBC

For comparison (nerdy fact time!), Doctor Who's big comeback in 2005, 'Rose', aired at 7pm on March 26, 2005, while series two's 'New Earth' was shown at 7.15pm on April 15 the following year.

'Smith & Jones' opened the third series at 7pm on March 31, 2007, Series four's 'Partners in Crime' aired 6.20pm on April 5, 2008, with Matt Smith's debut 'The Eleventh Hour' occupying the same slot on April 3, 2010.

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Series six marked the show's earliest start to date, with 'The Impossible Astronaut' transmitting at 6pm on April 23, 2011, while 'Asylum of the Daleks' kicked off series seven at the later time of 7.20pm on September 1, 2012.

Let's just hope the show sticks to one timeslot this year, eh?

The official synopsis for 'The Pilot' reads: "Two worlds collide when the Doctor meets Bill. A chance encounter with a girl with a star in her eye leads to a terrifying chase across time and space.

"Bill's mind is opened to a Universe that is bigger and more exciting than she could possibly have imagined – but who is the Doctor, and what is his secret mission with Nardole on Earth?"

Series 10 will see the Doctor, Bill and Nardole (Matt Lucas) pitted against Missy (Michelle Gomez), the Ice Warriors and the Mondasian Cybermen – so plenty to enjoy before Capaldi makes his Doctor Who exit this Christmas.


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