ACTRESS PEARL MACKIE was given a top-secret code name to stop news of her new role as Doctor Who’s latest companion leaking out.

BBC bosses were desperate to keep the signing under wraps so the star was referred to only as “Meantown”.

I can reveal Pearl was chosen after casting director Andy Pryor auditioned more than 50 candidates for the role, which has previously been filled by BILLIE PIPER, KAREN GILLAN and most recently JENNA COLEMAN.

She won him over instantly and was sent to a hush-hush location to read for the part of Bill alongside the Doctor, PETER CAPALDI, in front of producers Steven Moffat and Brian Minchin.
Her identity was kept hidden and she was referred to throughout the later stages of the process as Meantown, an anagram of Ten Woman — a nod to the upcoming tenth series.

A TV insider told me: “Pearl was only in the room for 20 minutes but it was clear she was The One.
“Her warmth and humour instantly won everybody over.”

Pearl’s audition was so secret her tape was only seen by one other person — controller of BBC One Charlotte Moore. She came up with the idea of revealing Pearl’s new role during half-time in Saturday’s live BBC One Match Of The Day broadcast of the FA Cup semi-final between Manchester United and Everton.

Pearl, who has previously appeared in BBC One soap Doctors, is currently starring in West End play The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time.
Her new co-star Peter Capaldi recently watched the production, but confirmation of Pearl’s role was a done deal by then.

As well as acting, she is also an aspiring singer and featured in a video for pop band YEARS & YEARS.

Clearly the Brixton-born beauty was born to time-travel.