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The BBC have quashed rumours that Matt Smith is set to quit Doctor Who at Christmas, insisting that such a decision has not been made.

Reacting to speculation in The Sun that the traditional festive episode would be Smith's last appearance as the Time Lord, a spokesperson added that the 30-year-old was committed to the show's 50th anniversary celebrations.

"Sorry folks, but even we don't know what's going to happen at Christmas, it's not been written yet," said the BBC.

"But Matt loves the show and is about to start filming the unmissable 50th anniversary, and star in the brand new series on Easter Saturday."

Last September, the Daily Mirror reported that the star was planning to quit in 2013 to avoid burning out - and that show producers were working on a Doctor regeneration for the Christmas special.

In an interview, Smith said how it would be impossible to stay in the role for seven years like Tom Baker did in the 70s, with the extra pressure today’s high-octane episodes bring.

He said: “I don’t think you can sustain it. Tom Baker did it in different circumstances.

"I couldn’t do this for seven years. I’d be run into the ground. I don’t think you can sustain it.

“And your life outside of it is ... I don’t know. I hope I don’t sound too ­pessimistic.

"It’s just I don’t think my body or my life or the people around me could sustain it.”

A BBC source said at the time: “We still hope show boss Steven Moffat can persuade Matt to stay a little longer, but the working hours are starting to take their toll and his role as the Doctor is closer to the end than the beginning now.”

And last month, one BBC source suggested that Smith’s first Hollywood film role in Ryan Gosling’s How To Catch A Monster was “the beginning of the end” of his time as the Doctor.

Smith recently hinted that he was committed to the role for this year but further appearances were still to be pinned down.

He told ITV's Jonathan Ross Show last week: "At the moment, it's 2013 and we will see what 2014 holds."

But he added: "I'm very happy doing it."

Smith also promised that the 50th anniversary episode will be “the biggest and the best”.

The celebratory one-off November 3D episode begins filming in the next few weeks - and Matt told how he is already excited.

“It will be undoubtedly the biggest and the best. And it will be one of the most exciting years for the show," he said.

“With 3D, Steven (Moffat) is so clever. He doesn't just throw things at the screen, I'd get bored then.

“I have read the script and Steven is on fine form. It won't disappoint.”

Smith replaced David Tennant in the iconic role in 2009.