Listen to the RadioTimes.com Doctor Who podcast: Who is Doctor Who’s “special surprise”?

Featuring stars Jodie Whittaker, Mandip Gill and newcomer John Bishop alongside showrunner Chris Chibnall, it seems likely that the panel will grant fans their first look at series 13 images or footage, and maybe even a proper trailer – but that’s not what caught many people’s eyes about the announcement.

No, they were more intrigued by the “special surprise guest” joining the panel – and what exactly this mystery presence could mean for the new series.

Here at the RadioTimes.com Doctor Who podcast we love a mystery, so in this week’s episode we took it upon ourselves to solve it, checking out some of the key fan suggestions as well as our own ideas for what the BBC might be unveiling.

Could it be the next Doctor (no), an expected return like Sacha Dhawan or Jo Martin (maybe), or even a big surprise comeback like Alex Kingston’s River Song (stranger things have happened…).

Or more likely, is this mysterious extra person just a guest star currently filming in Cardiff, who was free for a filmed panel? Truly, anything is possible. Whichever way, it’s an exciting hint at what’s to come… and all the better for being a mystery that is guaranteed to be solved in the next couple of weeks.

Check out last week’s podcast about Doctor Who trailers past and present, or our tribute to Jon Pertwee.

Doctor Who returns to BBC One later this year. Want more? Check out our dedicated Sci-Fi page or our full TV Guide.