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Doctor Who boss Steven Moffat tonight revealed lead actress Karen Gillan is leaving during the next series.

The 24-year-old has played the Timelord’s sidekick Amy Pond on screen since April 2010 alongside Matt Smith. The BBC insisted it was a "mutual decision" for Karen to leave.

Speaking at a press screening of the Christmas special, executive producer Steven Moffat said: “The Ponds will be rejoining us next series.

“But the final days of the Ponds are coming, I am not telling you when and and I won’t say how. But that story is going to come to a heartbreaking end.”

Referring to a new companion, he added: “And then the Doctor is going to meet a new friend and I am not going to tell you about he, she or it.”

Matt, 29, said: “We have had the most incredible journey and we had to hold hands at first when we joined. It is very disappointing but this show is about change. It is always about looking forward.”

Matt is also tipped to leave the show next year, but asked how long he was staying for tonight, he joked: “For 50 years!”

Karen landed the role in 2009 as a virtual unknown, but has since landed other TV roles and has just ended a West End role.

The Scottish actress, who will soon be seen in a BBC drama as model Jean Shrimpton, has had a starring role for two series and has become

hugely popular.

Speaking in an American newspaper interview this week, she said she wanted to do more theatre and “would love to do Broadway”.

In the Los Angeles Times she was asked what to expect in the next series and said: "I have no idea. I have not read a single word of the next season, I do know I am coming back, but that's all I know, to be honest."

Asked about the future, she said: "I can't really talk about any of the projects coming up as such but I want to do more stage. I have a real passion for it.

"I want to do it as much as screen stuff, in all honesty, so that would be really amazing. Maybe something on Broadway. I'd love do that. Not a musical, maybe a play on Broadway.

"I genuinely just want to good work."

The decision was announced at the special screening of the Christmas episode entitled The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe.



The news that the Ponds are being written out means Karen's husband Arthur Darvil, who plays Rory Williams, is also being axed next year.



Previous companions include Billie Piper and Catherine Tate.