So, who's Who? That depends on your perspective, but as fans celebrate the appointment of actor Peter Capaldi to the role of the 12th incarnation of Doctor Who, comes news that another actor, Bill Nighy, turned the role down.

Recent reports also suggest that Idris Elba, the star of British drama series Luther and sci-fi blockbuster Pacific Rim, also turned down the role.

Bill Nighy turned down the role of the Doctor in Doctor Who. Credit:Edwina Pickles

When Nighy was asked about the role, he replied by saying: "I won't tell you when because the rule is that you are not allowed to say you turned that job down because it's disrespectful to whoever did it.

"I will say that I was approached. But I didn't want to be the Doctor. No disrespect to Doctor Who or anything, I just think that it comes with too much baggage." Nighy had only positive words for Capaldi, who won the role.