10 Ways Modern Doctor Who Changed The Show Forever

Classic Doctor Who did occasionally air on or around Christmas Day, and it did have its own seasonal episode in 1965. However, it was never a permanent fixture of the BBC's Christmas schedule in the way that Morecambe & Wise or The Two Ronnies were.

All that changed in 2005, when The Christmas Invasion aired on Christmas Day, introducing David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor and fundamentally changing how Doctor Who was perceived by a more general audience. For 13 years, Doctor Who became an integral part of the BBC's Christmas Day programming.

It was an incredible reflection of the 2005 revival's overnight success, and of the esteem in which Doctor Who was now held. Much like those old Morecambe & Wise Christmas shows, many of the Doctor Who seasonal specials were marketed on their special guests. From Catherine Tate to Kylie Minogue to Sir Michael Gambon, their involvement elevated proceedings and appealed to a broader audience than your average episode.

There are no doubt countless people across the UK for whom the Doctor Who Christmas special was their only experience of the show! And if killer Christmas trees or flying sharks don't paint an accurate picture of Doctor Who, then what does?