Former Merlin actor Anthony Head will return to the show as a guest star in its forthcoming fifth series.

The news was announced by Merlin co-creator and executive producer Johnny Capps during a panel at San Diego Comic-Con, and later confirmed on the show’s official Twitter feed.

Head, best known for his character Rupert Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, will be reprising the role of Uther – the former king of Camelot, and father of Arthur (Bradley James) and Morgana (Katie McGrath) – who was a regular cast member until his death during Series 4.

"Uther returns in a very unexpected way," Capps said, according to AssignmentX.com, "and returns in Arthur’s life where he’s missing his father and he needs some advice and in a moment of weakness, and he is able to contact Uther."

How do you think Uther will be brought back? Let us know below...

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Watch a clip from Series 4...