Daleks - the next generation

Daleks are set to return to our screens - stronger and more terrifying than ever before.

11:08 30 March 2004

Daleks are set to return to our screens - stronger and more terrifying than ever before.

Legal problems threatened to exclude the killer robots from Doctor Who's new adventures, but these appear to have been resolved. The Daily Star reported today that the new generation of Daleks will be faster, sleeker and scarier.

A BBC insider told the paper: "We spared no expense to get the Daleks and we're going to drag them into the 21st century."

"We're looking at computer graphics and we are talking to animatronics experts to see how we can at least negotiate a flight of stairs."

Terry Nation created the Daleks and owned the copyright to them. Following his death the BBC entered negotiations with his estate.

Concerning the legal wranglings the BBC source commented: "We had to have them [Daleks]."

He added: "The show is costing 1 million-plus an episode so we could afford to pay over the odds ... they're our ratings banker."

Filming for the new "Doctor Who" series is set to begin in Cardiff this spring, with a transmission date pencilled in for early 2005.

Actress and former teen pop sensation Billie Piper is being lined up to play the Doctor's assistant and Christopher Eccleston has been announced as the Time Lord's latest incarnation.