K9 is taking center stage with his own animated series and "a range of high-tech toys," according to the Outpost Gallifrey website.

K9 will star in a new spinoff series developed by one of his creators, Bob Baker, and produced by Jetix Europe.

"Doctor Who's faithful robotic assistant, who will be reunited with his master on Saturday in a special guest appearance on the revived BBC show, will become a star in his own right -- equipped with a lethal blaster -- in a computer generated series made in partnership with the Walt Disney Corporation," the website reported.

"K9 Adventures" is to be a 26-episode comedy-fantasy series set in outer space.

Jetix Europe is owner of 14 children's television channels, which are broadcast to 43 million households across Europe and the Middle East. Disney is the majority shareholder in Jetix.

The new K9 is a galactic crime-fighter, and Bob Baker promises to give his pet "a sleek new look using state of the art CGI animation mixed with live action."

"It's thrilling to be able to offer younger Doctor Who fans the chance to get to know K9. I believe they will love the 21st century K9 as much as past generations did when he appeared in Doctor Who," said Baker, whose writing credits include the Oscar-winning "Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit."

K9 partnered with the Doctor from 1977 until 1981, and Saturday's special episode features a reunion between dog, master and Sarah Jane Smith, Tom Baker's companion, again played by Elisabeth Sladen.

In the episode, they investigate sinister events at a modern day school run by Anthony Head, who played Giles on the American series, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."