Peter Capaldi named twelfth Doctor Who

PETER CAPALDI, the actor who created one of the meanest, sweariest, most irascible characters in television comedy, is the new Doctor.

PETER CAPALDI, the actor who created one of the meanest, sweariest, most irascible characters in television comedy, is the new Doctor.

The announcement that Malcolm Tucker, the spin doctor from The Thick of It, would be transformed into the 12th Time Lord in Doctor Who was made amid spectacular levels of hype and confected excitement on a live broadcast on BBC1.

As well as being the world's longest-running science fiction series, Doctor Who is one of the BBC's most important moneyspinners, a global earner that makes its star the corporation's most valuable asset.

The name was meant to have been kept secret, with sources close to the show claiming that only ten people knew who would replace Matt Smith, but bookmakers suspended betting last Friday after Capaldi's odds tumbled to 5-6 favourite with the bookmaker William Hill.

Capaldi, 55, a lifelong fan who wrote a letter to the Radio Times about the show when he was 15, said: "Being asked to play the Doctor is an amazing privilege. Like the Doctor, I find myself in a state of utter terror and delight. I can't wait to get started ... It's so wonderful not to keep this secret any longer."

Steven Moffat, lead writer and executive producer, said: "It's an incendiary combination: one of the most talented actors of his generation is about to play the best part on television."

Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning, said: "We started thinking Peter Capaldi might be the right person to take on this iconic part a few months ago. But it was only when he did a secret audition at Steven's house under the cover of darkness that we knew we had our man. He's an extraordinarily talented actor who can seemingly turn his hand to anything. We can't wait to premiere his unique take on the Doctor on Christmas Day and we are sure he's going to become one of the all-time classic Doctors."

The live broadcast announcing the name, hosted by Zoe Ball, was parachuted into the Sunday schedule late last week, the result of more secret planning. The idea of a live event was dreamt up by Charlotte Moore, the new controller of BBC One, and is a reflection of the importance with which the BBC regards Doctor Who.

One of the BBC's five "superbrands" - the others are Top Gear, Strictly Come Dancing, BBC Earth (which includes all the nature history output) and Lonely Planet - Doctor Who is the only one whose success centres on a single star, albeit one who regenerates at regular intervals. Between them, the five "superbrands" account for 27 per cent of BBC Worldwide's sales, contributing to annual profits of $A268 million.

The program, which has been sold to 206 territories worldwide including Russia, South Korea, Brazil and New Zealand, generates some of the BBC's biggest downloads on iTunes. There are Doctor Who toys, cushions, stamps, mugs, and Sony Playstation games.

Capaldi will take over at the end of the year, when Smith steps down after four years in a Christmas special. Before that there will be a special episode to mark the 50th anniversary in November, which has already been filmed.