Capaldi was announced as the new Doctor 10 days ago (Picture: PA)

Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat has conceded that the Timelord can only regenerate 12 times.

The Doctor is currently played by Matt Smith, but will soon regenerate into his twelfth incarnation, to be played by new casting Peter Capaldi.

Moffat spoke about the issue at the Ad-Lib event at this year’s Edinburgh TV festival, during which time session host Frank Skinner asked: ‘Do you acknowledge the convention that The Doctor can only regenerate 12 times?’

Moffat replied simply: ‘Yes’ giving little away about how he plans to get around the probable need for future Doctors after Capaldi.


Moffat confirmed the Doctor’s limits (Picture: PA)

The Doctor Who head honcho also spoke about whether he thought Capaldi would keep his distinctive Scottish accent, saying: ‘I’d be very surprised if he didn’t [keep it].’



Moffat has previously said he thinks Capaldi will make an ‘older, trickier and fiercer’ Doctor and that the character might cause trouble for assistant Clara, played by Jenna-Louise Coleman.

‘I think the fun story will be – and we have the opportunity here – is this is what regeneration can do to you. He can be very, very different.’