… ‘OR HE MIGHT HAVE HAD A HEART ATTACK’

The actor has some doctor’s advice for the showrunner.

Peter Capaldi has spoken about Steven Moffat’s decision to leave Doctor Who, jokingly saying that he had to quit or he “might have had a heart attack”.

It was previously announced that Chris Chibnall will take over Doctor Who in 2018, following Moffat’s swansong series next year. There will be no full series in 2016.

Speaking to Newsweek, Capaldi said: “He’s an astonishing talent, but he’s a human being, and I don’t think he can continue working at this rate.”

He added: “The cost of doing Doctor Who to an individual is immense. He takes the greatest weight on his shoulders, he loves the show and he’s absolutely responsible for it and feels that responsibility gravely – and with delight as well. “He loves this job so I think it’s very, very difficult for him to leave. But I think he has to, otherwise he might have a heart attack.”

Capaldi will return as the rebel Time Lord this Christmas – before starring opposite a new companion in series 10 in 2017.

It’s yet to be confirmed if Capaldi will stay on for a fourth series, or if Chibnall’s daunting first task as showrunner will be the hunt for a new Doctor.