







In spite of the BBC issuing denials yesterday that they were ready to name the actor who will be taking on the role of the Twelfth Doctor, the Sunday Telegraph have gone ahead with their assertion that Rory Kinnear has been formally asked to take on the part.





The BBC have not responded to claims that the star of Skyfall, The Hollow Crown, Secret Smile and the National Theatre's 2010 production of Hamlet is to be the next occupant of the TARDIS. However, yesterday, Steven Moffat was said to have stated, 'I haven't a clue who it is, we've barely started.', and even Kinnear himself denied he was up for the role as recently as April, admitting that he had never watched the programme and saying “I think I'm being used as a decoy on that front. It’s the first I've heard.” Nonetheless, bookmakers Ladbrokes have taken the claims seriously enough to suspend betting on the identity of the next Doctor.





The claim is supposed to have come from someone involved with the show, who said, “He has been offered the part and we are waiting to hear if he will accept.” Whether it is believable that someone with such a close connection with Doctor Who would breach such confidentiality, especially before any alleged contracts have been signed, remains to be seen. It was also an 'insider' who claimed to Starburst Magazine a couple of nights ago that one of three actors - Domhnall Gleeson, Daniel Kaluuya and Dominic Cooper - would be offered the part and would be identified on Saturday night.





Matt Smith announced last week that he would be standing down from the role at Christmas. David Tennant returns to join him for his penultimate episode: the 50th Anniversary Special, which screens on BBC One on Saturday 23rd November.









Rory Kinnear has not been confirmed as the Doctor by the BBC or by anyone acting as a spokesperson for

.

It's probable that this will once again turn out to be more media speculation and misdirection.











