Doctor Who fever grips the globe

The nation (along with a sizeable chunk of the planet) was gripped by “Who-fever” last night but luckily there were plenty of doctors on hand.

Sci-fi fans around the world celebrated the biggest TV event of the year as Dr Who celebrated its 50th birthday with a knock-out episode.

Viewers were on the edge of their seats as The Day Of The Doctor was broadcast in more than 90 countries at the same time as it aired on BBC One.

Stars of the show were classic villains the Daleks and it also saw the return of shape-shifting aliens the Zygons, who first appeared in 1975.

The story involved a mystery at London’s National Gallery in the present day, as well as “a murderous plot” in Elizabethan England in 1562 and ended in an emotional climax.

The show was screened in 3D in more than 1,500 cinemas across the world and starred Matt Smith, David Tennant and John Hurt as different incarnations of the Doctor.

Jenna Coleman played the Doctor’s companion Clara, while Billie Piper returned as the Time Lord’s former companion Rose. There were also guest appearances from stars Jemma Redgrave, who played Kate Stewart, and Joanna Page as Elizabeth I.

Steven Moffat, Doctor Who’s lead writer and executive producer, admitted he was “nervous” about the special episode finally being seen around the world.

The Scottish sci-fi genius said: “This event means it is a worldwide show not simply a British phenomenon. I’m glad we don’t do it every time, but it’s very exciting to do it once.”

Members of the Glasgow Dr Who Society were among hundreds of fans who queued up to watch the show at the city’s Cineworld cinema last night.

Society member David Cherry, 22, said: “The atmosphere was great in the cinema setting with everyone excited and watching the same thing with no distractions. It was great to see the Zygons again after so long.

“My cousin was watching with dozens of friends in Sydney. It’s very exciting. There’s nothing like The Doctor to bring people together like this.”

Twitter and Facebook were alight with people sharing their excitement before and after the special show.

A blue police box in Edinburgh, similar to the Doctor’s famous Tardis, was even draped in a multi-coloured scarf reminiscent of those worn by a number of Time Lords.