The League Of Gentlemen star Reece Shearsmith is making a guest appearance in Doctor Who.

Shearsmith will join Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who) and Jenna Coleman (Clara Oswald) in a special episode.

He said: "I am absolutely thrilled to be filming Doctor Who as Mark Gatiss has written a fantastic role for me in a very scary episode.

"It has been so exciting to be part of a very singular episode - which, I can say with authority will be unlike any previous episode of Doctor Who.

"It's a joy to play a part in the show - certainly a badge of honour."

Other stars appearing in the new series include Game of Thrones' Maisie Williams, Rufus Hound, Michelle Gomez, Rebecca Front and Ingrid Oliver.

Shearsmith will be joined by Elaine Tan (EastEnders, Entourage), Neet Mohan (All In Good Time, Desert Dancer), Bethany Black (Cucumber, Banana) and Paul Courtenay Hyu (Dalziel And Pascoe, Coronation Street).

It is not his first Doctor Who stint as he previously appeared in a docu-drama about the popular BBC show.

Mark Gatiss, who wrote the episode Shearsmith will appear in, said: "I'm delighted to be writing again for Peter and Jenna's brilliant Tardis team and very excited about this particular story.

"It's been brewing in the dark recesses of my mind for a while now! I'm also chuffed to bits to finally welcome my old friend Reece Shearsmith onto the show. He's been badgering me for 10 years!"

The ninth series of Doctor Who starts on BBC One on September 19.