View source for Spin doctor regenerates as The Doctor

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| publication = The Times
| file = 2013-08-05 Times.jpg
| px = 600
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| date = 2013-08-05
| author = Valentine Low
| pages = 3
| language = English 
| type = 
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| text = 
Peter Capaldi, the actor who created one of the meanest, sweariest, most irascible characters in television comedy, is the new Doctor.

The announcement that Malcolm Tucker, the spin doctor from The Thick of It, would be transformed into the 12th Time Lord in Doctor Who was made amid spectacular levels of hype and confected excitement on a live broadcast on BBC1.

As well as being the world's longest-running science fiction series, Doctor Who is one of the BBC's most important moneyspinners, a global earner that makes its star the corporation's most valuable asset.

The name was meant to have been kept secret, with sources close to the show claiming that only ten people knew who would replace Matt Smith, but bookmakers suspended betting last Friday after Capaldi's odds tumbled to 5-6 favourite with William Hill. "It was pretty clear the cat was out of the bag, and there had been a leak somewhere. All bets led to Capaldi," a spokesman for William Hill said.

Capaldi, 55, a lifelong fan who wrote to the Radio Times about the show when he was 15, said: "Being asked to play the Doctor is an amazing privilege. Like the Doctor, I find myself in a state of utter terror and delight. I can't wait to get started ... It's so wonderful not to keep this secret any longer."

Steven Moffat, lead writer and executive producer, said: "It's an incendiary combination: one of the most talented actors of his generation is about to play the best part on television."

Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning, said: "We started thinking Peter Capaldi might be the right person to take on this iconic part a few months ago. But it was only when he did a secret audition at Steven's house under the cover of darkness that we knew we had our man. He's an extraordinarily talented actor who can seemingly turn his hand to anything. We can't wait to premiere his unique take on the Doctor on Christmas Day and we are sure he's going to become one of the all-time classic Doctors."

The live broadcast announcing the name, hosted by Zoe Ball, was parachuted into the Sunday schedule late last week, the result of more secret planning. A live event was the idea of Charlotte Moore, the new controller of BBC One, and reflects the importance with which the BBC regards Doctor Who.

One of the BBC's five "superbrands" — the others are Top Gear, Strictly Come Dancing, BBC Earth (which includes all the nature history output) and Lonely Planet — Doctor Who is the only one whose success centres on a single star, albeit one who regenerates at regular intervals. Between them, the five "superbrands" account for 27 per cent of BBC Worldwide's sales, contributing to annual profits of £156 million.

It has been sold to 206 territories worldwide including Russia, South Korea, Brazil and New Zealand. There are Doctor Who toys, cushions, stamps, mugs, and computer games.

Smith will step down after four years in the Christmas regeneration special. Before that there will be a 50th anniversary episode in November, which has already been filmed.


Thinking of the future: the young Capaldi's letter to the Radio Times

I hope that in 15 years' time, in 1988 you will publish 
another Special to celebrate 23 years of wandering in time with the Doctor.

Peter Capaldi (aged 15) 


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