We knew this dreadful day would come, but at last night’s press and politicians (?) screening of the Doctor Who Christmas special it was announced that Amy and Rory Pond will cease being the Doctor’s companions during the upcoming seventh series and be replaced by someone we will initially hate and then slowly come to accept is alright really.

The bombshell of Arthur Darvill and Karen Gillan’s departure was dropped during a Q&A after the screening, with Richard Bacon. A screening we weren’t at because the BBC forgot to invite us. But we’re not bitter because the final episode of This Is England ’88 made us cry far more than Matt Smith running about in wartime Narnia would’ve done. Probably.

Showrunner Steven Moffat said:

"Amy and Rory will be rejoining us next series and joining the Doctor back on the Tardis. But the final days of the Ponds are coming – and during the next series. I'm not telling you when and certainly not telling you how. But that story is going to come to a heartbreaking end."

We all should remember that Moffat does like to tell lies to keep the surprises special, but this is probably true. We blame ourselves really. We’ve given Pond way too much attention and now she thinks she can go off on her own and be a big Hollywood movie star. Like that’s going to happen (it’s so going to happen).

Rather than put a brave face on it, Moffat did admit to being sad about Arthur and Karen’s departure, saying:

“It's very disappointing, but one has to remember that this show is about change and regeneration and that's what galvanises it and moves it forward. It's about looking forward, always.”

We are seriously wondering where they go with the whole companion thing now though. The Doctor has twice reached the stage where he realises it’s incredibly selfish to keep inviting humans along for a joyride through time, only for them to die (almost every week in Rory’s case) or have their babies replaced by a bursting flesh replica. And they really couldn’t get away with another Doctor/companion romance, could they? So what on earth (or Gallifrey) can they do? We’re glad we don’t have to write it.

As we mentioned before, the Christmas special, The Doctor, The Widow and The Wardrobe, was being shown to a number of politicians. When the audience was asked if they wanted to be the new assistant, Labour MP Ed Balls raised his hand to volunteer. Now there’s an idea…