Jodie Whittaker has been revealed as the first ever female Doctor Who.

The Broadchurch star, 35, will be the 13th Time Lord in the long-running BBC TV programme, it was announced on Sunday afternoon.

Fans of the popular science fiction show have been forced to wait since January for an announcement, which eventually came after the mens' Wimbledon final.

The clip, also posted on Twitter by the official Doctor Who account, showed a cloaked Whittaker approaching the Tardis in a leafy forest before opening her hand to reveal a key.

After the big reveal, Whittaker said: "It feels completely overwhelming, as a feminist, as a woman, as an actor, as a human, as someone who wants to continually push themselves and challenge themselves, and not be boxed in by what you're told you can and can't be."

She also reassured fans to "not be scared by my gender".

"Because this is a really exciting time, and Doctor Who represents everything that's exciting about change," she said, adding: "The fans have lived through so many changes, and this is only a new, different one, not a fearful one."

The actor revealed she had told "a lot of lies" in order to keep the announcement secret and had used the codename Clooney when discussing the role with her husband and agent.

It will see the actor team up with Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall on the hit sci-fi series as he takes over from Steven Moffat as executive producer.

Explaining how she won the part, she said: "We had a strange chat earlier this year where he tricked me into thinking we were talking about Broadchurch.

"And I started to quiz him about his new job in Wales, and asked him if I could be a baddie. And he quickly diverted the conversation to suggest I should consider auditioning to be the 13th Clooney.

"It was the most incredible chat because I asked every question under the sun, and I said I'd take a few weeks to decide whether I was going to audition.

"He got a phone call within 24 hours. He would've got a phone call sooner, but my husband was away and there was a time difference."

Jodie Whittaker: The first ever female Doctor 6 show all Jodie Whittaker: The first ever female Doctor 1/6 Whittaker was shown walking through a forest in a cape in the much-anticipated reveal clip 2/6 Jodie Whittaker was revealed as the new Doctor on Sunday PA 3/6 Whittaker is most famous for her role in ITV drama Broadchurch AP 4/6 The actor appeared in both St Trinian's films PA 5/6 The new Doctor is the first ever woman to play the role, after 12 men 6/6 Whittaker will take over from Peter Capaldi in the next series of Doctor Who PA 1/6 Whittaker was shown walking through a forest in a cape in the much-anticipated reveal clip 2/6 Jodie Whittaker was revealed as the new Doctor on Sunday PA 3/6 Whittaker is most famous for her role in ITV drama Broadchurch AP 4/6 The actor appeared in both St Trinian's films PA 5/6 The new Doctor is the first ever woman to play the role, after 12 men 6/6 Whittaker will take over from Peter Capaldi in the next series of Doctor Who PA

She added the freedom the role enjoys was why she wanted to become an actress in the first place.

Asked if she had been given any advice from previous actors who had played the role, Whittaker said: "Well they can't because they haven't known until now, but I'm certainly expecting a couple of calls - I've got a couple of mates in there.

"I'm mates with a companion (Arthur Darvill), I'm mates with a trio of Doctors.

"I know Matt Smith, Chris Eccleston and obviously David Tennant. Oh! And let's throw in David Bradley! Four Doctors! So I'm hoping I get some calls of advice."

Chibnall said: "After months of lists, conversations, auditions, recalls, and a lot of secret-keeping, we're excited to welcome Jodie Whittaker as the 13th Doctor.

"I always knew I wanted the 13th Doctor to be a woman, and we're thrilled to have secured our number one choice. Her audition for The Doctor simply blew us all away.

"Jodie is an in-demand, funny, inspiring, super-smart force of nature and will bring loads of wit, strength and warmth to the role. The 13th Doctor is on her way."

A trailer featuring the number 13 was shown during coverage of the Wimbledon tennis clash between Roger Federer and Tomas Berdych on Friday with the caption: “Meet the 13th Doctor after the Wimbledon men’s final, Sunday 16th July.”

Scottish actor Peter Capaldi, 59, has played the iconic character for three series of Doctor Who after being cast in 2013.

He announced in January he would be stepping down.

Capaldi said last week his regeneration as the Time Lord will be "more complicated than recent ones".

The actor will step down from the role after the Christmas special but, in an interview with Radio Times magazine, the actor warned it will not be an easy process.

Reacting to the news, Capaldi said: "Anyone who has seen Jodie Whittaker's work will know that she is a wonderful actress of great individuality and charm.

"She has above all the huge heart to play this most special part. She's going to be a fantastic Doctor."