He has travelled through space and time for almost a thousand years, facing down enemies both human and alien while exploring new worlds in his trusty Tardis. And now Doctor Who has reached a special milestone half a century on our TV screens.
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Veteran actor John Hurt and David Tennant have joined the current Doctor Matt Smith to mark the fiftieth episode.
A special reception hosted by the Countess of Wessex was held at Buckingham Palace ahead of the broadcast on Saturday.
The special features all of the elements viewers have come to expect, however the pressure to satisfy all viewers is high given some long-term fans have followed the Doctor since 1963.
“Dr Who fans are a bit like pilgrims really – they suffer for it and they travel – I think fan love is superior to ordinary human love in a way because fans don’t seem to get tired,” said actor Tom Baker.
Audiences have met 11 doctors since the first ever episode was broadcast on BBC One on November 23rd 1963.
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The series quickly established itself as essential viewing and today it is more successful than ever despite being off-air for much of the 1990’s and early twenty-first century.
Some believe the lovingly regarded show has the potential to span another half century beyond the eleventh incarnation. 
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