Doctor Who: EVERY Version Of The Cybermen Explained

The most senior Cybermen of all are Cyber-Controllers – who, to begin with at least, could be distinguished by the uncovered brains in their helmets.

In the case of the original Cyber-Controller, encountered by the Second Doctor on Telos, this took the form of a bulbous brain casing (eliminating the need for handlebars).

Thought to have perished when the Cyberman tombs were resealed, this Cyber-Controller later reemerged, in upgraded form, to butt heads with the Sixth Doctor.

Meanwhile, in the parallel universe that came to be known as Pete’s World, a new breed of Cybermen was developed by terminally-ill businessman John Lumic, who eventually crowned himself Cyber-Controller.

In a first for a Cyber-Controller, the Lumic version had handlebars and an exposed brain. He also had glowing eyes and six sockets in his chest (which connected him to a massive, portable throne).

As with Cyber-Leaders it's insinuated that Controllers are much more intelligent than the standard model, and they're also seen to be much stronger. They also have a bit more of a personality than normal Cybermen, and in general are much more calculating.