(Image: Getty Images)
Two icons of a popular BBC series are teaming up for the first time ever in its 63-year history.
Christopher Eccleston, who played the Ninth Doctor, and Carole Ann Ford, who portrayed the Doctor’s granddaughter and first-ever companion Susan, will join forces in a new Christmas special.
The audio story with Big Finish, titled The Wash, begins in a Powell Estate launderette where the Doctor encounters a voice from his past and unexpected danger.
Doctor Who stars to feature together for first time
Christopher Eccleston said: "This was a brilliant, really outstanding script, I thought.
"I love that notion that as we go through our lives, particularly if you’re a Time Lord, everybody you meet remains with you.
"And working with Carole was really exciting.
"I’d been looking forward to it.
"I think that An Unearthly Child is the greatest episode ever made – when I made the TV series, that was the one I watched as inspiration.
"And she’s a pro, she was absolutely brilliant – a real honour."
The Wash will stream live on the official Doctor Who YouTube channel on Tuesday, December 22, and will be free to stream for a month afterwards.
Carole Ann Ford said: "Acting opposite Chris was wonderful, marvellous.
"It’s such a strong story.
"Susan pushes this Doctor to try and sort himself out and not be so touchy with people.
"I think listeners will be cheering Susan on."
Christopher Eccleston played the Ninth Doctor when Doctor Who was rebooted in 2005.
He has since reprised the role in several Big Finish audio dramas.
Carole Ann Ford appeared in the very first episodes of Doctor Who alongside William Hartnell.
The Wash is available to pre-order from Big Finish for £16.99 (download only) or £19.99 (download, collector’s edition CD, and Christmas card).
When is Doctor Who returning?
The return date for Doctor Who has not yet been confirmed, but it is anticipated it will not return to TV for at least a year or two.
The BBC show was put 'out to tender', meaning the network or rights-holder is opening the daily production duties for competitive bidding.
Independent production companies pitch proposals, and the network awards the contract to the best one.
The network, however, retains the show's ownership and broadcasting rights.
The BBC previously confirmed that it is not selling the show as part of the process.
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It said: "The BBC retains all IP in Doctor Who.
"BBC Studios will continue to lead the global distribution of Doctor Who as well as licensing, consumer products, digital and immersive experiences on behalf of the BBC."
What two Doctor Who characters would you love to see in a story together? Let us know in the comments.