Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat has teased the leaving storyline for companions Amy and Rory, promising that "heartbreaking doesn’t mean unhappy".

Series 7 began filming last month and will see Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill depart the show at some point mid-series.

Speaking to The University Observer, Moffat reassured fans: "I’m not very good at killing people. I don’t like it! I don’t think the Doctor's companions should die, I think that spoils the fairytale a bit. But that doesn’t mean that I won’t [kill off companions] of course!"

Discussing "the big Rory and Amy heartbreaking finale", he confirmed that "they’ll be gone forever", adding: "It will be quite heartbreaking, definitely... I think you’ll be in trouble watching it... Heartbreaking doesn’t mean unhappy. Wait and see. I mean, it’s parting. It’s parting from someone and that’s always very hard."

The writer also revealed that he is "pretty certain" Series 7 will begin airing this autumn.

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