The Doctor Who writer and Sherlock co-creator paid tribute to the showrunner on Twitter.

It’s little wonder Mark Gatiss plays the impossibly intelligent Mycroft Holmes on Sherlock because he’s got a knack for saying very clever yet cheeky things at precisely the right time – like the moment Steven Moffat announced his Doctor Who departure.

Gatiss tweeted this rather cryptic Latin message just moments after the big news broke.

Sclavus liberatus felix est.x

— Mark Gatiss 💙 (@Markgatiss) January 22, 2016

For those of you who don’t speak the classical language, it means “the freed slave is happy”. Make of that one what you will.

Gatiss followed his tweet up with a rather less mysterious tribute to his pal this morning though, sending his best wishes to incoming showrunner Chris Chibnall too.

Farewell to the Grand Moff but huge congratulations to Chris Chibnall on his elevation to Lord President! The show is in very good hands.

— Mark Gatiss 💙 (@Markgatiss) January 23, 2016

Meanwhile, Moffat’s wife and Sherlock producer Sue Vertue popped online to thank fans for their messages on the outgoing Who head writer’s behalf.

Steven thanks you all for your lovely comments and reminds you he's got a whole season to go yet!

— sue vertue (@suevertue) January 22, 2016

And Patrick Ness is waiting in the wings to fill the Whovian void with Doctor Who spin-off Class later this year.

#Class will be the only full #DoctorWho related series this year – no pressure @Patrick_Ness https://t.co/3K3z0TZPvw pic.twitter.com/n3fHypa4tn

— Sarah Doran (@sarahisnothere) January 22, 2016