Mark Gatiss probably won’t become showrunner on Doctor Who anytime soon (Picture: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

Mark Gatiss is pretty pleased he wasn’t asked to take the reins on Doctor Who, after comparing the role to a ‘poisoned chalice’.

Andrew Neil announces he is leaving the BBC after over 25 years

Steven Moffat announced he was stepping down as showrunner on Doctor Who following series 10, with Broadchurch’s Chris Chibnall set to take his place.

It was perhaps surprising Mark Gatiss wasn’t lined up considering he’s written for the show on numerous occasions, but turns out he wouldn’t have fancied the gig in the first place.

Peter Capaldi is leaving after series 10 (Picture: BBC/Simon Ridgway)

Speaking to Radio Times, Mark said: ‘To be honest, the job of showrunning Doctor Who I think is probably the hardest job in television.




‘I wasn’t offered it. But it’s a sort of a… it’s such a poisoned chalice. It’s like the England managership, I imagine, knowing nothing about football.

‘There’s so much expectation, such a weight of expectation, millions of people who think they can do it better than you.’

Peter Capaldi and Pearl Mackie have become one of the best duos yet in the show (Picture: BBC)

He also jokingly teased at his secret master plan if was put in control, adding: ‘It’s a sort of relief not to be asked, to be honest. But if I had been in charge, I would have cancelled it immediately. Just out of spite! No, I don’t know. I would never have any huge plans.’

With Peter Capaldi also set to depart the series, many are now feverishly speculating over who’s next to become the Time Lord – with Kris Marshall apparently high in the running.

Doctor Who continues on BBC One tonight at 6.45pm.

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