Peter Capaldi to leave Doctor Who this year

Peter Capaldi will step down from his role in ‘Doctor Who’ after the upcoming series.

The 58-year-old actor became the 12th actor to take on the titular regenerating sci-fi character in 2013, but has announced he will be taking his final bow on the BBC drama later this year as he believes it is "time" for him to move on.

Speaking to Jo Whiley during an appearance on UK radio station BBC Radio 2, Peter said: "I feel it’s time to move on.

"I feel sad, I love Doctor Who, it is a fantastic programme to work on.

"It can’t praise the people I work with more highly, but I have always been someone that did a lot of different things."

The upcoming series is set to air this spring, but Peter says his run as the Doctor will continue until the annual Christmas special at the end of this year.

Peter’s decision to leave the show may not come as a shock to all fans, as his exit will coincide with the departure of showrunner Steven Moffat, leaving the new show boss Chris Chibnall – the creator of the ITV crime drama ‘Broadchurch’ – with a clean slate.

Speaking in a statement, 55-year-old Steven said: "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!

"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."

Whilst Charlotte Moore, director of BBC Content, said: "He has been a tremendous Doctor who has brought his own unique wisdom and charisma to the role."