Cybermen return with pets

The Cybermen are returning to the new series of 'Doctor Who' - and they are bringing an old friend with them.

The metal-clad cyborgs will battle Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith when the BBC One sci-fi show hits screens later this year and they will be joined by the Cybermats - small, cybernetic creatures which resemble large metallic silverfish and which are used by their masters as weapons of attack and can tune into human brainwaves.

The iconic monsters and their 'pets' will reportedly feature in the same storyline which see James Corden reprise his role as Craig Owens from last season's episode 'The Lodger'.

The Cybermats first featured in the story 'The Tomb of the Cybermen', which aired in September 1967 and starred Patrick Troughton as the Second Doctor, and they made regular appearances up until the 1970s.

Rumours have been rife the Cybermats could be returning after they were featured in the 'Doctor Who: The Adventure Games' title 'Blood of the Cybermen', which was available as a free download on the programme's official website last year.

In the video game, they were able to convert humans into Cyberslaves - who were subservient to their Cybermen masters.

Matt has no made no secret of the fact his favourite 'Doctor Who' storyline from the classic series is 'The Tomb of the Cybermen' and recently admitted he would love to battle the emotionless monsters, who originate from Earth's twin planet Mondas.

He told BANG Showbiz: "I really like the old Cybermen from 'Tomb of the Cybermen', when they've got those funny little suits on, and I've not really faced the Cybermen properly. I mean there's the bit where I sort of fought an arm in the 'Pandorica Opens', but I'd quite like to come up against them."