A "security issue" surrounding the forthcoming eighth revived series of Brit sci-fi phenomenon Doctor Who has resulted in "unfinished material ... inadvertently [being] made public", BBC Worldwide has admitted.
In a statement, the broadcaster acknowledges that five of its scripts for the impending season were spread online after they were sent for translation to the BBC's new Miami-based Latin American offices and apologises to fans of the franchise for the leak.
"We deeply regret this and apologise to all the show's fans, the BBC and the cast and crew who have worked tirelessly making the series," the statement said.
“We would like to make a plea to anyone who might have any of this material and spoilers associated with it not to share it with a wider audience so that everyone can enjoy the show as it should be seen when it launches. We know only too well that Doctor Who fans are the best in the world and we thank them for their help with this and their continued loyalty."
Aside from the scary number of River Song "Spoilers!" jokes that have arisen following the leak, it's worth mentioning that Who showrunner and head writer Steven Moffat notoriously once said that he "hates" people "who call themselves fans" yet happily disseminate un-aired plot details to others.
The scripts are, of course, still readily available online - the BBC has its work cut out for it there - but it's up to you and your sense of decency whether you pursue them, with just over a month before the episodes start airing anyway.
The first episode of season eight, Deep Breath - one of the episodes whose script has leaked - will have its world premiere in the show's home town of Cardiff on August 7 before Moffat and show stars Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman set off on a global tour to commemorate the series launch.
The first episode is due to have its premiere at a screening in Cardiff on 7 August, after which the show's stars and executive producer Steven Moffat will take it on a world tour leading up to the first TV broadcast.
The BBC has been steadily releasing bite-size trailers revealing the new Twelfth Doctor (Capaldi) - and his increasingly obvious dark streak - piece by piece, with the latest in the series dropping at the weekend. Have a gander below if you're not yet up to speed.
Doctor Who series eight will screen on ABC1 in August.
