Games of Thrones star Richard Madden is keen to be next Doctor Who now that ex Jenna Coleman is off the scene
The actor has long been considered a favourite for the role having previously aired his love for the hit BBC sci-fi series
WITH PETER CAPALDI quitting Doctor Who, speculation is rife as to who will take over ownership of the Tardis as the next Time Lord.
And one name that won’t go away is Game of Thrones actor RICHARD MADDEN, whose former girlfriend JENNA COLEMAN played the Doctor’s companion.
He has long been considered a favourite to fill the position.
Richard, who played heroic Robb Stark in the fantasy epic — and also featured in racy drama Lady Chatterley’s Lover — has previously gushed about his love for the sci-fi series and admitted that he’d love a starring role.
But he insisted it would have to wait until after Jenna — who featured as the Doctor’s assistant Clara until 2015 — had left.
A source said: “Richard’s name has come up in discussions in the past, and will be high on the list of potential replacements when the formal casting process gets under way.
“He’s very different to Peter, obviously a lot younger, but part of the appeal to regenerating the Doctor every few years is to reinvent the character.
“Bosses love mixing things up and hiring Richard would allow them to do that.
“He’s also got a huge fanbase who would love to see him as the character.
“And with Jenna having now left, the timing could be perfect.”
Doctor Who remains one of the Beeb’s most lucrative franchises, generating tens of millions in revenue worldwide and attracting around six million fans per episode.
But ratings have been on the slide in recent years as Peter has taken the Tardis controls, and bosses hope to reverse this with their choice of incoming Time Lord.
Richard previously admitted he’s a huge fan of the show.
He said: “I’d love to be in Doctor Who one day — it’s one of my favourite shows, but not while Jenna’s in the show.
“I mean, I love Doctor Who. I’ve always loved Doctor Who — I’ve watched it since I was a kid.
“We’ll just see what happens in the future.”
He could just hop in the Tardis and find out.
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'Olivia's the one'
DAVID TENNANT wants OLIVIA COLMAN to be the first female Doctor.
The former Time Lord reckons his Broadchurch co-star would be a brilliant replacement for Peter Capaldi.
He said: “Olivia would be a magnificent choice.
"If you have the right people telling the right stories, it’s absolutely a possibility.”
But David admitted he would be unimpressed if she had been plotting the move with Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall, who is replacing Steven Moffat at the helm of the sci-fi series.
David, who started his stint on Doctor Who in 2005, also told BBC radio show The World At One: “If the two of them have been having top secret discussions behind my back I will be furious.”
TV chef quit over death
JAMES MARTIN’s decision to quit his ten-year stint on Saturday Kitchen last year came as a huge shock.
But that was nothing compared to the horror that prompted the celebrity chef to step down as host of the BBC cookery show.
James has revealed how the distressing sight of a fan dying on stage in front of him made him re-evalutate his own life.
The TV chef recalled: “I was chatting to him and he stood up on stage and collapsed and passed away in front of me. That was over a year ago.
“That was when I made the decision to change.
“I looked back at all the work I’d done.
"I’d had four days off that year and five days off the year before and I thought, ‘Something has got to change.’
“That was partly the reason why I gave up my Saturday morning show.”
He is now back on the telly with ITV’s James Martin’s French Adventure, which sees him travel around the country tasting the cuisine.
He added: “For the first time in my life I’m content and happy.”
With all those croissants and crepes on the menu, I’m not surprised.
Abbey flares it well
ABBEY CLANCY looks ready for a riot, let alone a new run of Britain’s Next Top Model.
Judge Abbey will once again be joined on the panel by model Paul Sculfor, fashion expert Hilary Alexander and photographer Nicky Johnston.
The 11th series kicks off on Living at 9pm on March 16, with a 90-minute episode.
We’ve been promised the most outspoken line-up ever.
I can’t wait to see those sparks fly.
Sam goes down a storm
He's landed a role in new prime-time drama SS-GB actor SAM RIDLEY had plenty to celebrate at the show’s launch this week.
But onlookers at the May Fair Hotel in London suspected he may have got a little over-excited.
The actor, Inspector Archer in the BBC’s World War 2 drama, sipped on a large glass of white wine during a Q&A session with co-star KATE BOSWORTH, but a source said: “It became quite apparent he’d had a few glasses before the session.
"He was very funny and went down a storm, but his answers were a bit garbled and he was giggling.
“After the event he looked like he was being helped to a car outside – though he was still laughing and having a great time.”
Good on him.
SOAPBOX
THE great British boozer is struggling at the moment and with takings down at the Queen Vic, life is getting very stressed for Mick on EASTENDERS.
He is incensed tonight when he hears Babe has accused Ian of being drunk after he fell asleep at the bar, but later on there is even more bad news.
Dee’s shock return continues to cause waves in NEIGHBOURS.
Karl and Susan begin to worry for Sonya and her unborn baby as she grows anxious over Toadie’s feelings towards his “dead” wife.
When her nose begins to bleed there are even more concerns for the surrogacy.
With Mark and Steph arguing over his feelings for Sonya, it doesn’t bode well for either couple.