Five stars

It's strangely comforting to be surrounded by the scarf wearing, sonic screwdriver holding masses as I approach the Hydro for tonight's Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular.

I've loved Doctor Who since I was a child but, growing up in the 1990s when Take That and Friends were all the rage, it was something that tended to be discussed in hushed tones to avoid ridicule.

Thankfully, this is no longer the case. The show is now bigger than ever following its return to screens in 2005 and tonight's audience is full of fans old and new.

From the moment the lights dim and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Ben Foster, begins to play A Good Man?, the theme for Peter Capaldi's twelfth Doctor, it's clear that the show's Scottish debut is going to be something special.

Renditions of Wherever, Whenever and Song of Freedom are accompanied by appearances from the Teller, a monster from Capaldi's first season, and the Ood, while a group of dream crab infected humans mingle with the audience during the Last Christmas suite.

It's all brilliantly held together by presenter and fifth Doctor Peter Davison, who provides a volley of jokes and quips on everything from Colin Baker trying to replace him as host to Rangers football club.

There's even an attempted show takeover by the Daleks.

However, the show's first half is a little quieter than expected, with only a few monsters appearing to skulk around the audience.

That all changes when the orchestra launch into All the Strange, Strange Monsters, which is accompanied by an array of aliens including Cybermen, Silurians and the Silence.

The appearance of the foretold, a creature that featured in Mummy on the Orient Express, sends shivers down the spine, while a troupe of marching Cybermen are met with gasps during Death in Heaven.

Doctor Who composer Murray Gold used likes on YouTube to determine what songs to play during the concert and it shows, the setlist is for true Whovians.

Renditions of the Pandorica Suite, Abigail's Song and This is Gallfrey are lapped up by the crowd, while a version of Vale Decem, David Tennant's regeneration theme, played alongside a compilation reel of former Doctors is met with applause.

A finale of the show's iconic theme accompanied by a menagerie of it most feared monsters brings the concert to an end.

It may not be everyone's cup of tea but, for Whovians, the chance to hear this music live is one that should not be missed. Getting to see Daleks and a Doctor in the flesh is just the icing on the cake.