PETER Capaldi says he’s been asked to stay on as Doctor Who after the boss of the hit sci-fi series Steven Moffat quits.

It was rumoured the 57-year-old actor might hang up his sonic screwdriver once close pal Moffat goes next year.

But Capaldi said the BBC wanted him to keep going as the timelord when new chief Chris Chibnall takes over.

However he admitted he’d not made up his mind.

He said: “I’ve been asked to stay on, but it’s such a long time before I have to make that decision.

“Steven’s been absolutely wonderful, so I love working with him. Chris is fantastic and I think he’s a hugely talented guy.“I don’t know where the show’s gonna go then. I don’t know. I have to make up my mind, and I haven’t yet.

But he told the Radio Times: “As Steven will tell you, it’s very difficult to say goodbye.”

PETER CAPALDI has risked biting the hand that feeds him as he criticises the BBC’s inconsistent scheduling of Doctor Who.

The programme shifted about in the timetables several times last year, as the lengths of Strictly Come Dancing’s live shows fluctuated from week to week.
At the time, he called for the corporation to go back to airing the sci-fi series in one regular slot, and has now re-enforced those claims once again.

“The BBC is an incredible organisation, but… sometimes people there think, ‘That’s looking after itself’. And it’s not being looked after,” he told Newsweek.
“I think maybe their eye was taken off the ball, or the show was seen as a thing they could just push around. It’s not. It’s a special thing.”

The programme’s ratings were up and down last year but its catch-up numbers remain strong.
The actor continued: “I have to pay attention to ratings – I’d rather not – but it’s the way the business is. I think overnight ratings are a thing of the past.

“You can’t really measure the success of the show by its overnight ratings, which is what the papers do. But there’s still a place for families to sit down and watch the show – that’s still a great, fun thing to do.”

He added: “That’s what the show’s success has been based on. That has to be protected.”

There will be no full new Doctor Who series this year, although the next proper run – due to air in 2017 – will be the last under current head writer Steven Moffat.
Broadchurch mastermind Chris Chibnall will then take over in 2018.

In the meantime, a Christmas special will air at the end of 2016.

Sonia Markham, who was the make-up supervisor of Doctor Who for the majority of the Hartnell era has died at the age of 78.

Her connection with the show began early on when she was a make-up artist on The Sensorites (1964), assisting Jill Summers, and she continued in that capacity until promoted to senior designer on for the second production block, beginning with The Rescue. During her tenure her responsibilities included Kevin Stoney’s distinctive look as Mavic Chen in The Daleks’ Masterplan (1965/66), ageing Ewen Solon as tribe leader Chal in The Savages (1966) and applying series star William Hartnell’s wig, an act she was photographed performing by the Daily Mirror in a series of memorable behind-the-scenes shots. Her final credit for the show was on The Smugglers (1966).

SOAP star Rakhee Thakrar could be taking on the role of the next Doctor Who companion?

The 32-year-old actress, who is best known as Shabnam Masood on EastEnders, is believed to be one of the names on the list of possible assistants.

Auditions are believed to be getting underway soon and Rakhee is said to be one of the stars trying to impress the producers, sources told the Radio Times.

Last month the Leicester-born star left EastEnders and it looks like she could be in line as Jenna Coleman’s replacement.

Rakhee retweeted a news story back in February listing actresses who could take on the part, which included herself.

If she did join the TARDIS, Rakhee would become the second non-white main companion on Doctor Who.

Freema Agyeman played Martha Jones in the long-running sci-fi series alongside David Tennant’s Time Lord from 2005 to 2010.

Rakhee has won praise for her portrayal of Shabnam and particularly her recent stillbirth storyline.Speaking about the plot last year, she said: “It was one of those rare times when you see a day play out as it would in real life. And I had a lot of feedback from parents saying that what they saw Shabnam and Kush experience was exactly how they themselves felt.”

There are a number of actresses who could take on the coveted role but Fresh Meat star Faye Marsay is said to be at the top of the list, having already starred as Shona in the 2014 Christmas special.

Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams, who appeared as the mysterious Ashildr in series nine, was also thought to be taking up a role on Doctor Who but she has ruled herself out now.

Filming on series 10 of Doctor Who is set to begin later this year.

A BBC spokeswoman declined to comment when approached.

Doctor Who series 10 will air on BBC One in spring 2017.

WORK on the new Doctor spin-off show Class is set to get underway in April and casting announcements to be made shortly, it has been confirmed.

The BBC Three series, which is aimed at teenagers, will follow the lives of a group of students at London’s Coal Hill School – the place which Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) once taught at and was attended by the Doctor’s granddaughter Susan Foreman and the first-ever companion (Carole Ann Ford).

However, the pupils will have more to contend with than just surviving exams and the social pecking order – namely evil extraterrestrial beings.

The programme makers are said to be putting the “finishing touches” to the cast list for the series.
“It will have a close connection with Doctor Who, so don’t be surprised if Peter pops up,” a source told the Radio Times.

The show will consist of eight 45-minute episodes penned by critically acclaimed Young Adult author Patrick Ness, the man behind A Monster Calls and The Rest Of Us Just Live Here.
It was announced back in October that Class had been commissioned.

Doctor Who show runner Steven Moffat said at the time: “No one has documented the dark and exhilarating world of the teenager like Patrick Ness, and now we’re bringing his brilliant story-telling into Doctor Who. This is growing up in modern Britain – but with monsters!”

Writer Patrick said: “I’m astounded and thrilled to be entering the Doctor Who universe, which is as vast as time and space itself.”There’s so much room there for all kinds of amazing stories, and to work with Steven Moffat and Brian Minchin to find a place to tell one of my own has been an absolute joy. “I can’t wait for people to meet the heroes of Class, to meet the all-new villains and aliens, to remember that the horrors of the darkest corners of existence are just about on par with having to pass your A-Levels.”While reigning Time Lord Peter Capaldi looks like he will be making an appearance in the programme, outgoing companion and former Coal Hill School teacher Clara will not be back.

Although the programme will be set in Shoreditch, Class will be shot in and around Wales like its parents series.

Class follows in the footsteps of a number of Doctor Who spin-offs, including K-9 and Company, The Sarah Jane Adventures and Torchwood, the last of which also made its debut on BBC Three when it first aired.

Meanwhile, Doctor Who is going to be commencing filming in Cardiff this May with series 10 set to air in spring 2017, and is believed to be Peter’s last outing as the Time Lord.

Class is set to air in 2017.