New 'Doctor Who' producers named

Ashes To Ashes producer Beth Willis has been appointed as a new executive producer on the fifth series of Doctor Who.

Willis joins showrunner Steven Moffat and Piers Wenger as executive producers for the new run, which will see Matt Smith take over from David Tennant in the lead role.

Meanwhile, Tracie Simpson, producer on Easter special 'Planet Of The Dead', and Peter Bennett, producer on the upcoming third series of Torchwood, have been confirmed as producers for series five.

Steven Moffat said of the appointments: "Beth and Tracie and Pete aren't the A Team, they're the people the A Team call. Tracie and Pete are the backstage stars of Doctor Who and having them on board as producers isn't just the best possible news for Matt Smith's first series, it's a massive relief.

"And Beth Willis, fresh from the brilliant Ashes To Ashes, is joining Piers and I as an executive so finally there'll be someone to wear the trousers."

Pre-production on series five begins next month ahead of filming this summer.