SPOILER ALERT: Alex Kingston's River Song set to return in dramatic Doctor Who season finale
By SEAMUS DUFF
Fan favourite River Song - played by Alex Kingston - will return to the hit BBC show to help the Doctor out of his latest scrape.
And from exclusive images released ahead of the last episode in the series, it looks like she may be getting up close and very personal with Matt Smith's Doctor.
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A welcome return: Alex Kingston will reprise her role in the series seven finale of Doctor Who on Saturday night
I do love bubbles! Alex's character, River Song, looks like she has expensive tastes as preview images show her sampling a glass or two of champagne - is she celebrating her own return?
In the episode titled The Name Of The Doctor, the Doctor's kind-of wife, fans of the show will know how complicated their relationship is, will make a return as he is lured into a trap.
But sensual character River has come to the rescue of others in the past, and it appears she will be on hand to help Jenna-Louise Coleman's Clara Oswald, just as things get out of control.
Sneak peek images show the character cosying up to the Doctor while he is surrounded by scary looking top-hat wearing enemies.
Close to you: River steps up to Matt Smith's Doctor Who in an intimate scene while enemies surround the pair
Pucker up: Will the pair share a passionate kiss as they face the latest doomsday scenario?
'Someone is kidnapping the Doctor’s friends, leading him toward the one place in all of time and space that he should never go,' says a source from the BBC.
'It’s a deadly trap that threatens to unravel his past, present and future...'
Emotions running high: Things look as though they could also get tender between the Doctor and his latest companion, Jenna-Louise Coleman's Clara
Hug it out: The pair go in for a warm embrace - is the Doctor being faced to say goodbye to those closest to him?
Final companion? Clara has been a hit with fans since she joined the Doctor on his travels full time mid-way through the seventh series - although she had popped up in previous episodes (and times periods)
Morbid setting: The Doctor and Clara will end up in a graveyard in the course of the episode
The episode promises thrills and fear as the terrifying new baddies, The Whisper Men, attempt to take down The Doctor once and for all.
And they are doing it with a bit of style as Richard E Grant returns to the show, playing Dr. Simeon - last seen at the control of The Great Intelligence in the Christmas special.
I demand to have some booze! Richard E Grant will be popping up again in Doctor Who on Saturday night - could he be behind the latest dangers?
It's rude to whisper: The episode will see new villains called The Whisper Men
Hats off for effort: Of all the Who villains, these guys are quite smartly dressed
A loud whisper: This gentleman certainly looks like he could be raising his voice in some kind of fit of rage
'There’s going to be a revelation,' said series runner Stephen Moffat - who also wrote the episode - in a recent interview, adding: 'You’re about to learn something about the Doctor that you never knew before. And I think you’re in for a shock.'
The revelation of the Doctor's true name has been hinted at since River Song's first appearance in the show's fourth series when Kingston's character whispered the Doctor's true name to him.
'There is only one reason I would ever tell anyone my name, only one time I could,' the character replied, and Saturday may in fact turn out to be the time his long-secret name is revealed.
Anyone else for champers? Kingston's River Song looks desperate get things swinging as she entertains a table of different species
Just tea for her: Clara shuns the bubbles in favour of a good cuppa
Just tea for him? This gent also looks like he has turned down the good stuff for a more modest drink
Lovely set: This female alien appears to be admiring the collection of tea ware before her
Awkward conversation? No one looks that thrilled to be sitting at this grand dinner table
A host of other characters will appear in the episode including more familiar faces with Neve McIntosh as Madame Vastra, Dan Starkey as Commander Strax, Catrin Stewart as Jenny.
A host of aliens will also be featured during River Song's champagne reception.
Meanwhile The Doctor and Clara will end up in a graveyard - and also explore what looks like a vine covered Tardis.
Much mystery surrounds the episode, but you can be sure it's not the last.
The series is in the throws of celebrating it's 50th year and will return with an action packed special later in the year, featuring David Tennant and Billie Piper.
Swirling fires? Clara looks as though she is engulfed in a blaze from another released image
Laid back approach: The companion doesn't seem too concerned as she lays down during the drama
Vine time: The Tardis looks to be in desperate need of some housework when the Doctor and Clara stumble upon it
But I don't have a Dustbuster: The Doctor looks distraught by the state of disrepair that his time-traveling home is in
Where next? The show will be back later in the year with an episode set to feature previous incarnation, David Tennant, and former assistant Rose - played by Billie Piper
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2326195/SPOILER-ALERT-Alex-Kingstons-River-Song-set-return-dramatic-Doctor-Who-season-finale.html#ixzz2TdBuhIQZ
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