'Doctor Who' Season 4 and John Simm confirmed

At the star-studded launch for the new season of Doctor Who, Jane Tranter, BBC Fiction Controller, confirmed that a fourth season will happen.

Speaking before the first two episodes were screened at the Mayfair Hotel in London, Tranter stated that the launch of season four is scheduled to take place in the spring of 2008. This effectively dispels rumours that suggested a longer than usual gap between seasons in order to push the show back into an Autumn time slot.

Tranter also paid tribute to the efforts of all the staff on the BBC Wales production and offered a tantalising glimpse as to what viewers may expect in the upcoming weeks, with references to 'hybrid Daleks' and scarecrows.

Following the screening of the first two episodes - 'Smith and Jones' and 'The Shakespeare Code', an extended montage of clips was shown from later episodes, featuring a shot of John Simm in front of Big Ben that confirmed the Life On Mars actor's involvement in the series.

Stars in attendance at the press launch included Catherine Tate, Jonathan Ross and Dawn French along with various names from the world of Doctor Who both past and present.