Peter Capaldi's debut as the regenerating Time Lord pulled in 7.3 million on Saturday evening, according to official figures.

The season eight opener of Doctor Who, entitled Deep Breath, has been both a hit with critics and viewers alike.

Frightening droids, a brief appearance by the eleventh Doctor Matt Smith, a tyrannosaurus rex and a lesbian kiss all concluded that the 80-minute episode was one not to be missed.

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He's a hit! Peter Capaldi's Doctor Who debut (pictured) pulled in 7.3 million viewers on Saturday

The Telegraph's Michael Hogan said the 56-year-old 'crackled with fierce intelligence and nervous energy', while The Guardian's Euan Ferguson called his performance 'wise'.

The Daily Mirror's Richard Beech added that Peter had 'all the hallmarks of a great Doctor' and that he had made an 'impeccable debut'.

The BBC reported that it was the most watched opening episode of a Doctor Who series since The Eleventh Hour in 2010.

Co-stars: The season eight opener, entitled Deep Breath, has been both a hit with critics and viewers alike

Well received: The Telegraph's Michael Hogan said the 56-year-old 'crackled with fierce intelligence and nervous energy'

The broadcaster also said that Matt’s first show was in April and Peter’s was during a bank holiday weekend when fewer people would be at home, the Daily Star stated on Monday.

Twitter users also posted about the episode, with comments including: 'Loved the new Doctor too much' and 'Doctor Who was smashing wasn't it. Peter Capaldi, I salute and adore you. A glorious Doctor.'

However one wrote: 'Overall I think Capaldi is going to be good, but the episode wasn't great. Pretty much what I have come to expect from Moffat'.

Dramatic: The BBC reported that it was the most watched opening episode of a Doctor Who series since The Eleventh Hour in 2010

When asked about being a Doctor Who fan himself, Peter, who stars opposite Jenna Coleman, told Just Jared: 'It does add to the pressure because you’re hugely aware of how well the role has been played by previous incumbents, but at the same time you have a sort of relationship with it that that doesn’t have to be acted.

't’s a knowledge and a closeness to it that takes you a long way down the road. You almost instinctively know what it is.'

Before adding: 'You can recognize what it is and what it should be, because it’s in your DNA.'

'It's in your DNA': Peter spoke last week about the extra pressure that being a Doctor Who fan placed on him