The Christmas special of Doctor Who was to be Clara Oswald’s swansong, if you believed much of what was written on the internet beforehand.

And for much of the episode, as she lay dying in a dreamlike state, it seemed like the rumours were true.

In the end, though, the Doctor and Santa Claus saved the day – and it was announced that Jenna Coleman will be staying on for another series.

Doctor Who actors Jenna Coleman and Peter Capaldi
Jenna Coleman and Peter Capaldi will unite for another series (Ian West/PA)

Jenna said: “It’s wonderful, I get a whole another series of stories with the Doctor and I think for me, I couldn’t walk away with the story being unresolved.

“There is so much more to do. I think they have finally reached a point where they really understand each other.”

And Peter Capaldi, who plays the current incarnation of the Doctor, said: “I am thrilled, I really am. Jenna has been fantastic and such a pleasure to work with.

Peter Capaldi as the Doctor and Nick Frost as Santa Claus
Fans saw the Doctor and Clara meet Santa Claus, played by Nick Frost, in the Christmas special (Adrian Rogers/BBC/PA)

“As a new person coming onto the show she has been fantastic and I was so excited and delighted when she finally decided to stay.”

The cast may be delighted about this state of affairs, but the fans are very much split.

First there was a backlash…

And there was a backlash to the backlash…

The majority seemed to be pleased…and then there was this guy, with his very specific wish.

Well, it seems he’s going to be disappointed too, because showrunner Steven Moffat said: “Jenna is obviously in all of next series. It is exciting.”

We’re excited too – even if not everybody else is.