Bradley Walsh, who has been a fan of Doctor Who for 50 years, has been confirmed as Jodie Whittaker's companion in the new series.

The actor, game show host and comedian briefly appeared in a spin-off of the sci-fi show.

He made a guest appearance as a villain in the Sarah Jane Adventures in 2008.

Whittaker, who takes over from Peter Capaldi, will be the 13th Time Lord, and Walsh had been tipped to be the sidekick to the show's first female lead.

Walsh, 57, who has starred in Coronation Street and Law & Order: UK as well as presenting The Chase, said: "I remember watching William Hartnell as the first Doctor.


"Black and white made it very scary for a youngster like myself."

"I was petrified, but even though I'd watch most of it from behind the sofa through my fingers, I became a fan," Walsh added.

"Am I thrilled to be part of this whole groundbreaking new dawn for the Doctor? Oh yes!"

But Walsh isn't the only actor revealed as a companion to the Doctor.

Rising stars Mandip Gill and Tosin Cole will swap their roles in Hollyoaks for the inside of the Tardis.

Image: Mandip Gill (L) and Tosin Cole have been unveiled as Jodie Whittaker's co-stars

Cole joined the Hollyoaks cast in 2011 as Neil Cooper and also appeared in spin-off Hollyoaks Later, but is "grateful and excited to be part of this journey with the team".

"I'm looking forward to jumping in this Doctor Who universe," he said.

Gill played Hollyoaks' Phoebe McQueen in her first ever TV role, and said she is "over the moon to be joining the Doctor Who family".

"Certain roles seem unattainable and this is one of those, so much so I didn't believe it to be true for the first few weeks," she added.

"This show is worlds away from the work I've done previously and that's the part that excites me the most."

The BBC confirmed the series will have a 10-week run in autumn 2018.