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Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi is in a pay wrangle with the BBC that could decide if he quits the Tardis for good.

The actor – who is on screen as the Time Lord in ­festive special The Return of Doctor Mysterio on Sunday – earns an estimated £400,000 a year for the role.

But former Doctor David Tennant was pocketing £500,000 a year when he took on the role in 2005 and sources close to Capaldi think a “modest” rise would persuade him to stay.

One source said: “He’s not asking for much. He’s a veteran actor who’s hugely in demand.

"But the BBC has massively reduced its fees in recent years, while some key figures at the network have managed to retain vast salaries.

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“Meanwhile, BBC Worldwide have brought in millions selling the show abroad. He wants a little extra and is keen to hear what they come back with.”

Capaldi, 58, has remained ambiguous about his future and earlier this month said he wanted to stay Doctor Who “for a long time”.

But in another recent ­interview, he said: “I’ve been asked to stay on and I just haven’t come to a ­decision about it.”

(Image: BBC)

The In The Thick Of It star replaced Matt Smith in 2013, initially on a two-year contract.

The deal was extended for ­another year until 2016 with an option to stay on next year.

In 2009, it was reported that Matt’s three-year BBC deal was worth £600,000.

Last year, BBC Worldwide revealed series eight of Doctor Who was its top selling programme of the year – licensed to 189 territories.