[Scarlett.]

Doctor Who will remain on air until at least 2010, the BBC has announced.

The fourth series - currently being filmed in Cardiff - will air in Spring 2008, following this year's Christmas special, which guest stars Kylie Minogue as a waitress on board the Titanic.

Another Christmas special is planned for 2008, but there will be no full series in 2009. Instead three specials are planned for broadcast throughout 2009, with both David Tennant and lead writer Russell T Davies confirmed for both. A full-length, fifth series will air in 2010.

"Doctor Who is one of the BBC's best loved and most successful dramas," said Jane Tranter, controller of BBC Fiction. "Its journey over the past three series has been one of the most ambitious and exciting that we have had, and I'm delighted to be able to confirm not only three exciting specials for 2009, but a fifth series in 2010."