'Doctor Who' renewed for seventh series with Matt Smith

Doctor Who has been renewed for a seventh series.

BBC executive Sam Hodges made the announcement via Twitter, also stating that current Doctor Matt Smith would be returning for the new run.

"Doctor Who is returning. Fourteen new episodes have been commissioned with Matt Smith as The Doctor," he wrote.

The post was later retweeted by Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat, appearing to confirm its validity.

Moffat then added: "14 eps + Matt definitely [involved]. I've got a plan and I'm not telling you what it is."

The news follows a piece in satirical magazine Private Eye which claimed that the sci-fi drama's seventh run could be delayed until 2013.

The report suggested that a series of four specials will air in place of a full series in 2012. Back in 2009, the BBC made a similar move, airing David Tennant's final episodes as four specials throughout the year.

However, a BBC spokesman has since told The Guardian that "a good chunk" of the 14 commissioned episodes will be broadcast next year.

"The new commission is a big commitment, not many other shows have such a commitment so far in advance. We do not know yet how many [episodes] will air in 2012," they added.

The sixth series of Doctor Who has been split into two parts, with the mid-series finale airing on BBC One last Saturday.

The show is expected to return for six more episodes later in 2011.

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Watch a teaser trailer for the late 2011 return of Doctor Who below: