Peter Capaldi leaves Doctor Who

Peter Capaldi is stepping down from his role as the Twelfth Doctor on Doctor Who.

Capaldi shocked fans by announcing his departure from the long-running science fiction show live on the radio last night (January 30).

Speaking to Jo Whiley on her BBC Radio 2 show, Capaldi said he would be leaving the show at the end of its upcoming tenth series after the 2017 Christmas Special.

He said: “This’ll be the end for me. I feel sad. I love Doctor Who. It’s a fantastic programme to work on. It’s been a huge pleasure to work with… a family. I can’t praise the people I work with more highly.

“I’ve never worked the same job for three years, and I feel like now is the right time to move on. I’ll still be the Doctor for a while.”

He went on to praise the show’s fans, crew and creative team for a “cosmic” experience.

He continued: “One of the greatest privileges of being Doctor Who is to see the world at its best.”

“From our brilliant crew and creative team working for the best broadcaster on the planet, to the viewers and fans whose endless creativity, generosity and inclusiveness points to a brighter future ahead. I can’t thank everyone enough. It’s been cosmic.”

The tenth series will also be the last for Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat, who has helmed the show since 2010 after the departure of Russell T Davies.

Moffat said: “For years before I ever imagined being involved in Doctor Who, or had ever met the man, I wanted to work with Peter Capaldi. I could not have imagined that one day we’d be standing on the TARDIS together.

“Like Peter, I’m facing up to leaving the best job I’ll ever have, but knowing I do so in the company of the best, and kindest and cleverest of men, makes the saddest of endings a little sweeter.

“But hey, it’s a long way from over. Peter’s amazing, fiery, turbulent Doctor is still fighting the good fight, and his greatest adventures are yet to come. Monsters of the universe, be on your guard – Capaldi’s not done with you yet!”