The showrunner revealed he hadn’t been truthful over Doctor Who’sanniversary during an appearance at Comic Con. Moffat was asked why the popular character of Captain Jack Harkness (played by John Barrowman) would not be in the anniversary story.

Moffat responded by saying;

You can’t put everybody in the 50th. How do you know what is and what is not in the 50th? I have lied my arse off for months. You know nothing so don’t make presumptions. It’s always story-driven. If we have a great idea for Captain Jack, he’ll come back. If we don’t, he won’t.

Actor John Barrowman stated many times he was willing to return to Doctor Who for the landmark occasion. Barrowman’s last appearance in the sci-fi special was a cameo in 2010 in David Tennant’sThe End of Time but his last on-screen appearance as Jack Harkness was in 2011’s Torchwood: Miracle Day.

Moffat’s comments about lying shouldn’t come as a huge surprise; he is well known for disliking spoilers and has been economical with the truth – regarding storylines – in the past.

So what is officially known about the 50th anniversary? It will be broadcast in 3D and will star Matt Smith and Jénna Coleman alongside David Tennant and Billie Piper. Guest stars include John Hurt, Joanna Page and Jemma Redgrave will reprise her role of Kate Stewart. The speciall will feature the return of the Zygon’s – last seen in 1975 Tom Baker serial Terror of the Zygons – and the Daleks – last seen in Aslyum of the Daleks.

Fans of the series are hopeful that former companions and Doctors will make an appearance in the special but Moffat has previously hinted this won’t happen – though maybe that’s one of the things he’s“lied his arse off” about!