Doctor Who: free Christmas Special previews in the North

Lots of planets have a north, and ours (specifically the north of the UK) is about to get a treat. No, it’s not all about London this festive season.

BBC North is giving viewers in Hartlepool, York, Hull, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Salford, Durham and Bradford the chance to see the Doctor Who Xmas Special, Twice Upon A Christmas, over a week before it goes out on December the 25^th.

According to the official press bumf, the last few moments of the Christmas Who episode won’t be shown at the public screenings but will be “kept as a surprise until the BBC One broadcast on Christmas Day.”

There will, however, be an opportunity for attendees to pose for posh photos “on the BBC’s red carpet and with props from the programmes.”

Not only that, but the first of three new episodes of The League Of Gentlemen will also be screened at select events, as will children’s animation The Highway Rat.

You can apply for the ticket ballot here from Thursday the 23^rd of November. The ballot will be open for ten days.

Here’s the full schedule for the Xmas preview screenings, showing what’s airing where and when.