Rumour: Peter Capaldi is leaving Doctor Who with Steven Moffat

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Doctor Who overlord Steven Moffat announced his departure from the show at the weekend, and now more news that'll resonate to Gallifrey and beyond: the tenth series, broadcast next year, may be Peter Capaldi's last in the TARDIS.

The series chief will step down from his role at the closure of its 2017 run to be replaced by Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall, and the Daily Mirror quotes a BBC source as expecting Capaldi to follow suit. "Bosses are already discussing a fresh start when Steven leaves," says the source. "They've been happy with what Peter has brought to the role but some think it might make sense to give Chris his own choice of actor to play the Doctor."

It's worth noting that none of this is confirmed and 'sources' have often been wrong before, but, if true, it would be a similar scenario to the one which unfolded in 2009, when show lead Russell T Davies and David Tennant walked at the same time, to be regenerated as Moffat and 11th Doctor Matt Smith.

If Capaldi does depart names linked to the role would surely include Ben Daniels (House Of Cards), Rory Kinnear (James Bond's Bill Tanner) and David Harewood (Homeland), all of whom garnered short odds with the bookies ahead of Capaldi's appointment in 2013. Idris 'Luther' Elba is also likely to be trumpeted long and loud as a 13th Doctor candidate – and has already inspired a Facebook campaign.

Jenna Coleman will not return for Moffat's final series, with Maisie Williams (yes!) and Michelle Keegan (oh god no!) among the bookies' favourites to step in as Capaldi's assistant. Starring Peter Capaldi, the tenth series of Doctor Who will be broadcast in spring 2017, following a 2016 Christmas special.

Images: BBC

Ben Wilson
Ben Wilson

I'm GamesRadar's sports editor, and obsessed with NFL, WWE, MLB, AEW, and occasionally things that don't have a three-letter acronym – such as Chvrches, Bill Bryson, and Streets Of Rage 4. (All the Streets Of Rage games, actually.) Even after three decades I still have a soft spot for Euro Boss on the Amstrad CPC 464+.