Comedian Catherine Tate and singer Kylie Minogue are among the stars lined up to appear in forthcoming episodes of Doctor Who, according to the BBC.

Tate will reprise her role as Donna, the runaway bride, as the sidekick to David Tennant's Doctor in the fourth series of the hit drama. She will join Tennant for the complete 13-week run of the new series, which is due to begin filming in Cardiff later this month.

Australian pop singer Kylie will appear in this year's Christmas special, the BBC said.

Tate, who is best known for her comedy creation, apathetic teenager Lauren and her catchphrase "am I bovvered?", played Donna in the show's last Christmas special.

She said she was looking forward to working with Tennant again.

"I am delighted to be returning to Doctor Who. I had a blast last Christmas and look forward to travelling again through time and space with that nice man from Gallifrey."

In the episode The Runaway Bride, Tate's character Donna was a woman who mysteriously vanished as she prepared to marry her boyfriend in a ceremony on Christmas Eve and reappeared, much to her astonishment, in the Tardis.

As the Tardis raced to the church, it was revealed that Donna was the key to an ancient alien plan to destroy the Earth.

The episode ended with the Doctor inviting Donna to travel with him - an invitation she declined.

Executive producer and writer Russell T Davies said: "Catherine was an absolute star in The Runaway Bride and we are delighted that one of Britain's greatest talents has agreed to join us for the fourth series.

"Viewers can expect more ambitious storylines and a whole host of guest stars in 2008."

The fourth series of Doctor Who goes into production this month and will hit UK screens in Spring 2008.

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