Earlier this week, the cast and crew of Doctor Who gathered for the official press launch of this year’s emotional Christmas special, Twice Upon A Time. But not everyone was there. Director Rachel Talalay is working on another project in the US at the moment. And Peter Capaldi? He was in Scotland, and unable to attend.

Instead, though, he sent a farewell message to Doctor Who, that was read out by Jo Whiley on the night. And it reads as follows…

“I’m really sorry I can’t be with you tonight. I’d like to thank all my friends on Doctor Whofor sharing their good humour, talent and life with me over the last four years. And particularly, Steven Moffat, who has brought so much to Doctor Who, even more than might be realised today, but will be seen clearly in the future.

I’d like to thank everyone who loves the show for sharing it with me, and sharing the boundless generosity of spirit that it embodies. I wish Jodie and the new TARDIS team all the best for the future, and the past, and everything inbetween, and look forward to watching them journey to new and wonderful places.

For me, it’s been an amazing trip. I went to the end of time, I met fantastical creatures – and I blew them up. But now it’s over. Time I was off”

We’re going to miss that man. Twice Upon A Time screens on Christmas Day, on BBC One, at 5.30pm.