DAVID Tennant has been forced to pull out of a Christmas celebration at Winchester Cathedral tonight in aid of The Murray Parish Trust and Breast Cancer Haven – but his Doctor Who sidekick Catherine Tate is stepping in to take his place.

The actor is missing the festive celebration as he “is away filming on location”, but the star-studded line-up at the Cathedral will still include Broadchurch’s Olivia Colman, Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville and acclaimed actor Timothy West.

Local charity The Murray Parish, which organised the event, said on their website: “Sadly, one of our celebrity hosts, David Tennant has advised that due to unforeseen circumstances, he is suddenly now unable to be present at our Christmas Celebration on 7th December at Winchester Cathedral.

“David is deeply sorry and disappointed, but is away filming on location and complications have meant that he is unavoidably detained.

“However, David has arranged for his very good friend and former Dr Who Assistant, Catherine Tate, to take his place!

“We hope our guests will understand that these things happen in the world of showbiz and continue to look forward to what will be a truly spectacular evening.”

There will also be a performance from renowned soprano, Claire Rutter and Winchester Cathedral Girl Choristers, mixed in with a selection of festive congregational carols for everyone to join in with.

The event, which features “both musical and theatrical content” and “an uplifting variety of festive and magical performances” will raise funds for both The Murray Parish Trust as well as Breast Cancer Haven.

Sarah Parish, actress and co-founder of The Murray Parish Trust said. “We are so lucky to have such big names supporting this event and we will be doing everything we can to ensure that this will be a night to remember to raise as much funds as possible for these two incredible local charities.”

The Murray Parish Trust was founded by Sarah Parish and James Murray in memory of their late daughter, Ella-Jayne and their aim is to provide funds to advance paediatric emergency medicine. The Murray Parish Trust is currently campaigning to raise £2million, which will be match-funded by the Government, to build a brand new Paediatric Emergency and Trauma Department (A&E) which will serve the South of England and Channel Islands.

*Doors open 7pm. Main performance starts 7.45pm.