Big Finish available via Sainsbury’s

A modulated frequency wave cancellation signal isn’t something that the Doctor and Romana expect to detect in 1960s London.

While the die-hard Doctor Who fans might already have Justin Richards’ tale of a Vardan invasion in their collection – it was the first story in 2016’s Fourth Doctor boxset five – they won’t have this swirling blue 180g vinyl platter, exclusively available from Sainsbury’s supermarket.

Whether you’re waiting for the needle to drop or diving in to a digital download, this is a decidedly old school affair with all contributors making this feel like it was made in 1979, though set in 1964.

The story of over-ambitious aliens trying to use Earth’s own technology against itself is a familiar trope, but we’re not listening to this for the originality, it’s for the nostalgic buzz of familiarity. Tom Baker is a very fruity Fourth Doctor, revelling in the witty dialogue that deliberately has a ‘Douglas Adams script edited this’ feel to it, Lalla is sparky and spiky as Romana II – she really rails against getting a new handbag – and John Leeson gives us a DJ version of K9!

Verdict: Daft, palette cleansing fun that’s so old school that it finds its authentic home on a 33 1/3 RPM LP. Pick it up with your jelly babies when you’re in Sainsbury’s. 8/10