Doctor Who gets red carpet premiere in Cardiff

Stars of the cult sci-fi TV show Doctor Who greeted fans at a red carpet event in Cardiff ahead of the first episode of the new series being given its world premiere.

Peter Capaldi, making his full debut as the twelfth Doctor, was joined at St David's Hall by Jenna Coleman, who plays his companion Clara.

It marks the start of their world tour visiting five continents in 12 days.

The new series which is made by BBC Wales begins on BBC One on 23 August.

Following events in Cardiff and London on Thursday, Capaldi and Coleman will pay flying visits to South Korea, Australia, the USA, Mexico and Brazil.

Speaking when the tour was announced, Capaldi said: "After eight months solid filming deep in the world of monsters, Jenna and I are thrilled to be heading for the Planet of Fans."

Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman and the show's lead writer Steven Moffat on the red carpet

Cybermen were among the first characters to appear on the red carpet in Cardiff

Bill and Monica, who had a Doctor Who-themed wedding, travelled from Iowa in the US to meet the Doctor

It was not only the fans who were hunting Dr Who as the Daleks took to the city centre

Jenna Coleman talks to BBC Radio Wales' Jason Mohammad

The new series will see Peter Capaldi joined in the Tardis by Jenna Coleman

The new Doctor arrived at the venue at 11:30 BST for the screening of the feature-length opening episode Deep Breath at 12:30 BST.

A question and answer session then follows with the stars and lead writer Steven Moffatt, hosted by BBC Wales presenter Jason Mohammad.

Some of the Doctor's deadliest enemies - the Daleks and the Cybermen - also invaded the city centre for the premiere.

Mr Moffat told BBC Radio Wales he believes Capaldi's doctor will go down well with fans.

"He's a brand new, slightly shocking, extremely funny, charismatic doctor, and it's that wonderful thing - he's very, very different and yet he's exactly the same," he said.

"That's is the thing about the doctor, the doctor is always kind of the same, but you couldn't have a bigger contrast to the Matt Smith version."

He also promised the new series would bring "lots of scares", "big gags" and some "cracking monsters".

Peter Capaldi's dapper costume may remind viewers of third Doctor Jon Pertwee

BBC Wales director Rhodri Talfan Davies said: "Doctor Who is getting even bigger and even better - and it's a real thrill that the show's fans here in Wales will be the very first to see the new Doctor at this very special premiere screening.

"Doctor Who has been made in Wales for almost 10 years - and we're so proud of its worldwide success."

A second screening will take place at the British Film Institute on London's Southbank at 18:30 BST.

Security for the highly-anticipated new series was breached in July when leaked scripts and footage appeared on the internet.

A BBC Worldwide office in the USA is thought to have been the source of the leak, which the BBC's commercial arm said was due to a "damaging mistake".