Doctor Who legend Tom Baker has some advice for the next Time Lord in the TARDIS
Tom Baker has offered some words of wisdom for whoever takes on the role of the Doctor after the departure of Ncuti Gatwa.
Tom Baker has urged the next Doctor Who star to "be yourself and then some".
The 92-year-old actor, who played the Fourth Doctor from 1974 to 1981, has offered some words of advice to whoever is chosen as the next Time Lord in the TARDIS, and he described stepping into the role as "magical".
He told Radio Times magazine: "Well, I’m not going to tell them how to do it. That would give the game away, wouldn’t it? Haha!
"Just be yourself. Be yourself and then some. You’re the Doctor.
"And there’s nothing more magical than playing someone not human, who is from Gallifrey, in the constellation of Kasterborous, with two hearts, a sonic screwdriver, and relying on their own wits."
Tom described the Doctor as "the best of Humanity, wrapped into one being, commenting on Humanity, all whilst eating jelly babies".
Fans are eagerly awaiting more news on the future of Doctor Who after the departure of showrunner Russell T. Davies earlier this year, which coincided with the BBC putting the programming out to competitive tender.
Just last week, Russell suggested that production could get underway much sooner than people expect.
He told BBC Radio 4's The Media Show: "It's literally out for tender now. They've just announced there's a CBeebies version coming out in 2027, a Doctor Who cartoon.
"And then it's out for tender, I'm not part of this process, but I think they choose from those tenders by something like October 10, it's any day now.
"That will be a long process, I think. I'd give it another six months after that. So, I think, I'm guessing, you’ll start to see production with a brand-new Doctor, a brand-new companion, summer next year. So that's not that far away really."
The BBC previously revealed that they could be making a decision on the tender process in spring 2027, and the new series would air in 2028/29.
The broadcaster said: "We are commissioning a new flagship series of Doctor Who.
"The series should feel contemporary, and creatively ambitious, whilst remaining true to the values and characteristics that have made Doctor Who a beloved series across generations."
Companies hoping to land the job have been urged to "innovate and surprise" bosses, striking a balance between "high concept science fiction" and "strong emotional narratives".
The BBC urged companies pitching for the job to be "brave".
They concluded: "We are seeking a creative vision that embraces the breadth of what Doctor Who can be and could be.
"Doctor Who is a show that has sparked conversation, taken risks and inspired audiences for decades and we are looking for this series to continue that tradition.
"Be brave, have fun and we look forward to hearing from you."
