Comedy writers join Doctor Who

Tom Baker was the fourth Doctor

The creators behind BBC Two's League of Gentleman and Coupling are to join a group of writers working on the new series of Doctor Who.

Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffatt will join the team led by Russell T Davies, the man behind shows such as Queer as Folk and Bob and Rose.

Filming begins in Cardiff this spring, for transmission on BBC One in 2005.

"I really believe we've got the best people in the business now working on the best show," said Davies.

"The Doctor and Rose (the doctor's new sidekick) already have the best allies on their journey - brilliant writers with brilliant scripts," he added.

"It's an honour to work with these people who are so talented; they shouldn't be allowed to travel together."

Mark Gatiss also appeared in the League of Gentleman

Mal Young, the BBC's controller of continuing drama series, said he had never received so many requests from writers and actors to be involved in a drama series before.

Other writers involved in the project include Rob Shearman, author of three Big Finish Doctor Who stories, and Paul Cornell, who wrote several original Doctor Who novels and two Doctor Who series.

Mark Gatiss is behind cult comedy The League of Gentlemen. He also starred in the show.

Steven Moffatt's risque sitcom Coupling won the sitcom of the year at the British Comedy Awards.

But a US version of the show was axed after low ratings.

The first Doctor Who - played by William Hartnell - was first seen on 23 November, 1963. He was followed by seven more, before the series was axed in 1989.

The new series will feature 13 episodes.