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Worried BBC chiefs are considering scrapping next year’s series of Doctor Who and screening feature-length specials instead.

The legendary sci-fi drama – starring Peter Capaldi as the Time Lord and Jenna Coleman as his companion Clara Oswald – is the Beeb’s biggest-selling ­programme overseas, earning an estimated £60million a year.

But the cult show has hit a crisis period. Viewing figures have plunged below four million.

(Image: BBC)

Coleman is leaving and Capaldi may do the same to spend more time with his family. Now BBC executives are discussing a range of ways to revive their cash cow.

Last week they announced a spin-off series, Class, aimed at teenagers, to try to find a new army of Doctor Who fans.

Sources say they are also ­weighing up the drastic step of ­axing the 12-series run planned for 2016. Instead they would film a couple of Sherlock-style ­feature-length ­specials plus a Christmas episode.

A BBC source admitted: “Doctor Who’s decline is very worrying and needs to be addressed. At this stage all options are being ­considered.

“Everyone accepts that drastic action may be needed.”

Another plan under ­consideration is rebooting Doctor Who with a new cast in 2017. Game of Thrones and Lady Chatterley star Richard Madden tops the wish list – ­although BBC1 controller Charlotte Moore has not ruled out introducing a female Doctor.

A BBC spokesman said: “We are only three weeks into this year’s run. It is far too early to discuss next year’s commission.”