The Death In Paradise star has overtaken former frontrunners Tilda Swinton and Olivia Colman in the running to be the 13th Time Lord.

Alex Donohue of Ladbrokes said: “A surge of punters have backed Marshall so we’ve had no choice but to close the book. If he does get the gig, the bookies will be exterminated first.”

The news comes just weeks after Marshall, 43, announced he was quitting hit BBC detective drama Death In Paradise to spend more time with his family.

The move coincided with current Time Lord Peter Capaldi declaring that he was quitting as the Doctor after three years.

Marshall shot to fame in 2000 as Robert Lindsay’s layabout son in hit BBC sitcom My Family.

He has also starred in a series of TV adverts for BT, the BBC sitcom Citizen Khan and appeared in hit fi lm Love Actually.

The BBC refused to comment on the rumours last night

WHO would YOU like to replace Peter Capaldi?  Please comment below (Just a bit of fun!)