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The Â鶹Éç has announced that Sir Michael Gambon and Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins are to have major roles in the 2010 Doctor Who Christmas special.

Sir Michael is one of Britain's most respected actors, and has appeared in productions including The Singing Detective, Gosford Park and Sleepy Hollow and the Harry Potter films.

""Michael Gambon is as distinguished an actor as I can imagine and the fact that he was Dumbledore means that he is already know to millions of children," said lead writer Steven Moffat.

Katherine Jenkins said of landing her role: "I'm over the moon to be involved in the Doctor Who Christmas special.

"I can't quite believe it as it's a part of the family tradition at the Jenkins household. I heard the news that I got the role on my 30th birthday and it was the best birthday present ever!"

This will be Jenkins' first major acting role. She previously had a cameo role in two 2007 episodes of Emmerdale.

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