Capaldi’s first official photograph as the twelfth Doctor was released tonight (Picture: BBC)

Peter Capaldi has been unveiled as the new Doctor Who in a special live programme broadcast on BBC1 this evening.

Capaldi, 55, was given the blessing of past and present Doctors as he was revealed as the new Timelord.

Zoe Ball presented the BBC show aired specifically to announce the identity of the twelfth Timelord, who will replace outgoing Doctor Matt Smith.

The announcement was made with plenty of hype, as a studio audience enjoyed discussions about the programme between eminent stars of the show, including former Doctor Peter Davison.


Footage of previous Doctors was also shown, as well as an interview with Matt Smith, who shared his mixed feelings about leaving the show.



‘I’ve loved it. I really have and I’ll miss it. But when you gotta go, you gotta go. There was a backlash when I was cast. I was 26 and I was an unknown and people went, “That is not Doctor Who”.’

Matt Smith gave his blessing to the new Doctor (Picture: BBC)

‘There are no parts like this. I think it’s a good time for me to move on. It’s the biggest year in the show’s history and I’m playing the part and I’m passing it on with a smile on my face.’

And the star gave his blessing to Capaldi, saying he felt there was no one better for the job.

‘If I had to pick someone, I’d pick him. I’m excited because I know what’s coming and he’s going to have a blast.’

BLOG: Five things you probably didn’t know about Peter Capaldi

Earlier today, photographer Rankin had given fans a clue that the new Doctor was a man, after months of rumours that a woman might take on the role.

Having photographed the new Doctor earlier today, Rankin took to Twitter to refer to the new star as a ‘he’.

‘Just photographed the next Dr Who for tonight’s announcement. Let me know what you think of the photo? He’s going to be an ace Dr’.

Capaldi appeared on the live announcement show this evening (Picture: BBC)

Saying that he will miss Matt Smith’s ‘brilliance’, showrunner Steven Moffat said: ‘The Doctor is an icon. People are hugely interested in who it is.’

He added of the new Doctor: ‘Oddly enough, this person briefly crossed my mind the last time [we were choosing a new Doctor] but it wasn’t quite right at that time.’

Asked to describe the new Doctor, he said simply: ‘Different from Matt.’

Peter Capaldi will appear in his first episode in the new year.