Casting: Hayden-Smith

CBBC presenter Andrew Hayden-Smith confirmed today that he has been cast as a guest star in the upcoming second series of Doctor Who, as announced on CBBC ONE at 5.35 this afternoon. Hayden-Smith, who played Ben in the CBBC drama "Byker Grove" and who has presented, among other items, the CBBC special Best Of Byker, CBBC's The Saturday Show and Live And Kicking, CITV's Diggit and Sky's Fish, will be playing the role of Jake Simmonds; he begins filming next week, when the two-part Cybermen story is set to be recorded.

Update 1700 GMT: CBBC News confirms that Hayden-Smith's character will be in episodes 5 and 6 with the Cybermen. Says the actor, "I am so excited about joining one of the most famous programmes on TV. I am a real fan of David Tennant and can't quite believe I am going to be in the show. It's an absolute dream job for me. I can't wait to get started." The CBBC site says that he will be away for a week while he participates in filming. The official Doctor Who site now also mentions the casting news.