Doctor Who: 10 Best NuWho Performances From Guest Stars

In this charming homage to the classic Charles Dickens Tale, A Christmas Carol sees the Eleventh Doctor attempt to save the soul of a lonely old miser, the only man who can save a crashing space liner full of passengers.

The talents of Sir Michael Gambon are fully utilised here as we are introduced to Kazran Sardick, a selfish old man who cares for no one and experienced awful abuse from his father during childhood.

As The Doctor orchestrates changes in Kazran’s past, the young man finds love with the beautiful singer, Abigail, only for their love to be tragically cut short by the impending fate of her terminal illness.

Gambon embodies the feisty, cruel nature of the Ebenezer Scrooge figure, but it is his heart which shines through and leads to a surprisingly moving performance. When The Doctor brings a young Kazran to meet his older self in a clever call back to the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, the latter almost strikes his younger self in a replication of his abusive father, only to break down in tears and embrace himself. A touching scene where Kazran finally gives in to love.

Combined with a tender reunion with Abigail as he gets to spend one final day with his beloved, Gambon just perfectly combines the light and darkness in arguably the best Doctor Who Christmas Special.