It doesn’t look like Peter Capaldi is leaving Doctor Who any time soon – but one actor is already putting himself forward as a potential replacement.

Alexander Vlahos told Digital Spy that he is “itching” to appear on the BBC sci-fi series – and playing the Doctor himself would be his dream gig.

“I know they’re filming series 10 now – so maybe they’re holding back because they’re waiting for Peter to go and they want me to get the Doctor part?” he joked. “That’s what I’m telling myself, that’s why I haven’t had a phone call!

“The hashtag #VlahosForWho is what I’m trying to get going. What’s funny is that I’ve met Andy [Pryor, the show’s casting director] before – for Atlantis, when he was casting that show.

“He’s very aware of my work from Merlin – and I’ve met Steven Moffat a couple of times as well.”

Vlahos – currently appearing in BBC Two’s Versailles – said he’s always happy to entertain the idea of playing the Time Lord, because he’s “really proud of Doctor Who”.

“Does that make sense? I think it’s such a great show. There were connotations that came with it from the ’80s, of it being a joke of sorts… now it’s become this flagship show for the BBC. It’s such a moneymaker but it’s also so high quality.”

If he were ever cast, though, the 28-year-old has some… unique ideas about his Doctor’s own particular eccentricities.

“I’m definitely bringing back the Tom Baker hat… and I think my Doctor might rollerblade,” he laughed. “Let’s make a little half-pipe in the TARDIS. That’d be amazing.”

Alexander Vlahos stars in Versailles, out now on Blu-ray and DVD.