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Doctor Who will go back in time by ditching its edgy new style to try to ­fix its drastic ratings slide.

Fans of the show want wholesale changes with some calling for writer Steven Moffatt to be sacked over his baffling, adult plots.

Now a senior BBC source has told the Sunday People: “There will be some tweaks. We are obviously keen for it to appeal to the whole family.”

The latest series has been slammed for being screened too late and having ­“complicated” and “boring” stories.

Fan sites are awash with criticisms. Some claim a lack of chemistry between Time Lord Peter Capaldi, 56, and companion Jenna Coleman, 28, while others call for the return of the Daleks and Cybermen.

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One posted: “Moffatt seems hellbent on killing off Who,” while another wrote: “Used to enjoy watching with my kids, now it is on far too late and is ­complicated and ­boring. Bring back the monsters!”

For most of its 50 years it has been seen as a children’s programme on at teatime to be enjoyed by all the family.

But the last series, the eighth since its revival in 2005, was aimed more at adults and had its latest-ever slot – 8.30pm.

During the run last year it averaged ­between six and seven million viewers. The previous series with Matt Smith as had eight million. Christopher Eccleston’s ­2005 debut was watched by 10.8 million.

As BBC bosses prepare to start filming series 9 this month, another insider added: “There are some great storylines planned, we are sure it will win back viewers when it returns.”