Doctor Who filming scuppered by fire

Filming on the new series of Doctor Who has been hit after a film set in Italy which producers were planning to use caught fire.

According to The Sun, the blaze ripped through Cinecitta Studios on Thursday- where the BBC's epic drama Rome was filmed - destroying parts of the studio as well as valuable BBC equipment.

Producers had planned to use the set for a forthcoming episode of the show in which the Doctor - played by David Tennant - goes backin time to ancient Rome.

"It was a huge blaze, "an insider told the paper.

"At one point, it looked like the whole studio was a goner. It threw a real spanner in the works for the Doctor Who team."

However, it's thought that crucial parts of the set were not damaged in the fire - and that it can still be used for filming, once it has been cleared up.

"Some of the production team have been looking at locations in Italy for the new series," confirmed executive producer Julie Gardner.

"The Doctor will have a Roman adventure."