Doctor Who fans were delighted when Russell T Davies announced his return to the hit BBC sci-fi series last autumn.

The news was welcomed but was bittersweet for many fans as it marks Jodie Whittaker’s penultimate episode as the Doctor.

A synopsis for the Legend of the Sea Devils episode reads: “In a swashbuckling special adventure, the Doctor (Jodie Whittaker), Yaz (Mandip Gill) and Dan (John Bishop) come face to fin with one of the Doctor’s oldest adversaries: the Sea Devils. Why has legendary pirate queen Madam Ching come searching for a lost treasure? What terrifying forces lurk beneath the oceans of the nineteenth century? And did Yaz really have to dress Dan up as a pirate?”

Moffat who was replaced but Russell to helm the new series joked. “My first thought, ‘Well it’s brilliant news for Doctor Who.’ He’s the finest writer working in television. And he’s coming back to what is, I suppose, still his biggest hit.

“So that’s just wonderful, wonderful news for Doctor Who. And sort of proof of the vibrancy of that show that he would do that – he’d come back to it.

Doctor Who Legend of the Sea Devils new pictures released | MarkMeets TV

“He’s got every offer under the sun. And what he’s choosing to do is to come back to what all us right-thinking people know is the best show in the history of television.”

“” mean really if anyone can do it twice, it’s Russell,” added regular Who contributor Mark Gatiss, who wrote several episodes for both Davies and Moffat during their time in charge. “I don’t know a thing about it, which is brilliant.

“I know it’ll be very big, ambitious stuff. And that’s exactly what Russell has always brought to it. Yeah, I think it’s delightful. I saw him quite recently, and he looked really, really happy. And I think that’s a lovely thing to see. You know, he’s bursting with enthusiasm. So that’s great.”

Doctor Who return date confirmed for Legend of the Sea Devils Easter special and fans can’t wait

Davies has teased a few of his plans to his former Who colleagues, with Moffat hinting that he’s been privy to a few secrets about the revamped series.”I’m going to give you no hints. I know a certain number of things,” he told us.

“But I don’t remember which bits are secret. So I’m terrified to say anything. I know some stuff, but not everything. And I don’t have the briefing sheet I used to have – I used to create – which was to tell me what to shut up about. So I’m saying nothing at all.”

Hopefully, we’ll find out a few of these secrets ourselves when Davies takes over next year – and when we do, it sounds like fans are in for a treat.

Doctor Who returns to BBC One on Sunday 17th April.