He became a national icon thanks to his portrayal of the heartless, manipulative and bombastic spin-doctor, Malcolm Tucker.

But Peter Capaldi’s most recent role has seen his star rise to a global level, playing the enigmatic Time Lord, Doctor Who, whom he has brought a new maturity to.

And while some have railed against this more adult interpretation of the charismatic hero, the actor, 58, argues that it has helped to capture the imagination of the show’s wide-ranging audience.

Speaking to The Radio Times, the Scottish star explained that rather than being something off-the-wall, an older Doctor is nothing that’s ground-breaking.

Asked how it felt to be an ‘old’ Who after a series of young ones (David Tennant and Matt Smith) Peter responded that The Doctor he grew up with was ‘not a young man’.

Reflecting on previous actors who have taken on the good Doctor’s mantle, the Thick Of It star said: ‘The Doctors I grew up with were not young.

‘To me, Doctor Who was not a young man. Ironically, I’m older than any of those, except for William Hartnell [the first Doctor].’

Addressing the assertion that the twelfth reincarnation, which he plays, often panders more to adult fans, he said:

‘The thing about Doctor Who is the constitution of the audience. It covers a huge age range, so you have to entertain little kids and you have to entertain hipsters and students, and middle-aged men who should know better.’

Peter expanded on the them, and said that while there is most definitely an adult theme running through Doctor Who, there is always something for children.

‘Sometimes there is a kind of metaphysical and intellectual aspect to it, which is more to the fore than other times. But generally we just blow up monsters.

‘There are some moments when you feel, that’s a little bit silly, or that’s a bit mawkish or whatever, but then you realise, that’s for children. You would be a fool not to play to them, because it’s their show.’

Peter is the 12th actor to take on the mantle of the last of the Time Lords, and has played the role since 2013.

Fans can read the rest of the interview in this week’s Radio Times, on sale from Tuesday November 22nd 2016