The world's best-loved time traveller is stepping out of the Tardis once more, but only for a one-off audio drama and only on the corporation's website.

The new episode of Dr Who, Death Comes to Time, will be broadcast on July 13 at midday at BBC.co.uk/DoctorWho.

It will be the first new Dr Who story since the television movie in 1996.

Stalwart Sylvester McCoy has been signed up to play the doctor while Sophie Aldred will take on the role of his companion Ace.

They will be joined by a number of famous names including Stephen Fry, John Sessions and Jacqueline Pearce (Servalan from Blake's 7).

The 30-minute audio play will see the doctor enlist the help of a mysterious timelord, played by Fry, to do battle against Sessions's alien warlord.

Listeners will be encouraged to review the drama and vote on whether they want the doctor to return full time.

The site will also give access to the making of Death Comes to Time, including photos, interviews with the cast, a short history of the project and soundclips and desktop wallpaper.

Richard Fell, the head of BBC Fictionlab, which produced the audio event, said: "We are sure that the doctor's online regeneration will be warmly received by a legion of fans."