Brian Blessed has called for a change in Doctor Who tradition and suggested that an Asian actor join the string of white, male Time Lords.

The English actor, known for playing larger than life characters, has long admired the sci-fi genre and longs to go into space.

He was once asked to play a young Doctor Who, a role he rejected due to scheduling clashes, but would “jump at” should he be given the chance again.

Blessed reckons some re-examining of the hero’s surname is in order, however, which could put an end to his ambitions.

“‘Who’ is very oriental,” the 77-year-old told radiotimes.com. “It’s about time they had an Asian actor as the Doctor. And a female one.”

Peter Capaldi will begin his stint as the twelfth Time Lord when the first episode of Doctor Who series eight airs on 23 August.

Doctor Who series 8 cast in pictures Show all 9 1 /9 Doctor Who series 8 cast in pictures Doctor Who series 8 cast in pictures Doctor Who series 8 cast Keeley Hawes will play 'mysterious character' Ms Delphox BBC Doctor Who series 8 cast in pictures Doctor Who series 8 cast British singer Foxes is to guest star in an episode of Doctor Who and will perform one of her songs BBC Doctor Who series 8 cast in pictures Doctor Who series 8 cast Samuel Anderson will play a teacher at Coal Hill School where Clara Oswald also teaches BBC Doctor Who series 8 cast in pictures Doctor Who series 8 cast Whovian Peter Capaldi will play the twelfth Doctor, taking over from Matt Smith in the eight series BBC Doctor Who series 8 cast in pictures Doctor Who series 8 cast Green Wing actress Michelle Gomez will star as the Gatekeeper of the Nethersphere BBC Doctor Who series 8 cast in pictures Doctor Who series 8 cast Comedian, actor and broadcaster Sanjeev Bhaskar will guest star in the finale Getty Doctor Who series 8 cast in pictures Doctor Who series 8 cast Jenna Louise Coleman will return to play Clara Oswald, the Doctor's companion Getty Images Doctor Who series 8 cast in pictures Doctor Who series 8 cast Ben Miller will play a new unnamed villain Rex Features Doctor Who series 8 cast in pictures Doctor Who series 8 cast Doctor Who fan Frank Skinner is to make a guest cameo appearance Rex

The BBC has come under fire in recent times for not doing enough to improve diversity in its programmes.

Comedian Lenny Henry criticised the broadcaster’s decision to make changes through development rather than opportunity, claiming that top Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) actors like Idris Elba and Chiwetel Ejiofor “needed a break” rather than better education or training.

Danny Cohen, the BBC’s director of television, told The Observer in February that there would be a shake-up in the representation of women in comedy shows, with no more all-male panels.