BBC apologises over Doctor Who leak after scripts accidentally posted online

The BBC has appealed for help in keeping details of the next series of Doctor Who secret after scripts featuring Peter Capaldi's debut as the 12th doctor were accidentally leaked online.

The corporation also apologised for the security lapse, which gave away the storyline of the opening instalment of the new series, called Deep Breath, and four other episodes.

The BBC is investigating how the scripts became public, but it is believed they were unintentionally made available after being sent to its Latin America base in Miami for translation.

It is not known how widely they were accessed before the BBC website on which they appeared was shut down.

Capaldi, who was glimpsed as the doctor in the climax to the last series of the BBC1 show, will make his full debut when it returns to British television screens on August 23.

In a statement, the BBC said it was "currently investigating a security issue around Doctor Who series eight, where unfinished material has inadvertently been made public …" It added: "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 on August 23.