Beeb want John to play Doctor's worst foe
DOCTOR Who chiefs are bringing back his arch-rival The Master.
And favourite to play the renegade Timelord is Life on Mars star John Simm.
The Master's return will be the major twist of the third series, which starts in the spring. But he will not appear until the end.
Bosses have held talks with John, 36 — who plays cop Sam Tyler in Life on Mars — and hope he will sign up soon. An insider said: "He's brilliant and we would love to get him on board."
The Master is best known for hypnotising people by fixing them with an intense stare — and his catchphrase, "I am the Master and you will obey me."
His Tardis has a chameleon circuit which allows it to change colour. And the Master's weapon of choice is the Tissue Compression Eliminator — which reduces its targets to doll size.
John would be the seventh man to play The Master. Previous actors include Anthony Ainley and Julia Roberts' brother Eric.
TV Biz can also reveal that Shakespearean actor Sir Derek Jacobi, 68, will play another Who foe — The Professor. He poses as a good guy but the Doctor (David Tennant) discovers the truth when The Professor dies and regenerates.
Caption: From old to new Master - Anthony morphs into John
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