The Proms took on a distinctly intergalactic flavour when Daleks invaded the stage for a Dr Who themed night.

Much to the delight of fans, a host of aliens and other fantastic creatures roamed the Royal Albert Hall, where the annual series of concerts is held.

Although David Tennant was absent, his Doctor Who sidekicks Freema Agyeman and Catherine Tate took to the stage to introduce proceedings.

Exterminate! A Dalek interrupts Ben Foster as he conducts at the Royal Albert Hall last night

Agyeman, who plays Martha Jones excitably pointed out that, Tardis-like, the Albert Hall 'didn’t look this big from the outside'.

The space theme was part of a drive to make the annual Proms season more inclusive.

It was obviously a success with people queuing for tickets at 5am and tickets selling on Ebay for up to £250. 

Sci-fi symphony: Doctor Who assistants Catherine Tate and  Freema Agyeman introduced the performances

More than 3,000 hopefuls were on a waiting list for pre-booked tickets - although only 1,400 got to attend the popular event.

Music, performed by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Choir, and conducted by Ben Foster and Stephen Bell, was a mix of Who tunes plus series clips and classical works with a space/time theme. 

Thus Holst’s Jupiter and a premiere of Mark-Anthony Turnage’s cacophonous siren-led The Torino Scale jostled for attention with arranger Murray Gold’s symphonic telly soundtrack.

This was not merely a musical experience.

Success: Doctor Who, aka David Tennant, delivers his recorded message

During All The Strange, Strange Creatures three Cybermen stomped down the aisles, while assorted Sontarans and Oods — the ones with sausage tendrils for mouths — crept up on fans.

David Tennant, who was unable to attend in person because he is playing Hamlet in Straftford, still made an appearance via a giant television screen in an exclusive interactive clip, Music Of The Spheres.

Playing the time-travelling Doctor, he boasted: 'I was at the first Proms in 1895. Played the tuba. I was brilliant.'

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Space invader: Davros, Lord of the Daleks, takes to the stage

After the interval, events turned darker as the orchestra played second fiddle to a Dalek and evil Davros, who rose out of the audience.

The stalls relaxed, then laughed as Catherine Tate introduced clips of Donna in action before things became serious.

The haunting Doomsday, sung by Melanie Pappenheim, hoisted the emotional level to a peak unsurpassed even when the team saved Earth, accompanied by the soaring Song Of Freedom.

The show closed with the legendary theme, from hugely influential BBC Radiophonic
Workshop- yet it felt more like an afterthought than a climax.