Samuel West

Samuel West

Samuel West wants to be the next Doctor.

The 'Mr Selfridge' actor is keen for BBC bosses to make him the 12th Time Lord in the sci-fi series following the departure of current star Matt Smith later this year as he thinks the iconic character should be "slightly older" when he regenerates.

Speaking to Radio Times magazine, Samuel, 46, said: "If you're asking whether I'd like to play Doctor Who, I absolutely would. I've always wanted to play Doctor Who. Hamlet and Doctor Who - and I've done Hamlet.

"They can't go on getting younger forever. Every Doctor, almost without exception, has been younger than the previous one and eventually we'll just have this glittering foetus and that's not going to work.

"I think he should be slightly other. I remember when I first started watching it he was a little bit like a frightening grandfather and I don't want to be a grandfather but I don't think he should be cuddly. 'Other' is the word, he should be a bit 'other'."

However, Olympic legend Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards has also shown interest in the role and thinks he has a "unique" offering for the show's producers as he is happy to act out all his own stunts, saving the crew hiring body doubles.

He told The Sun newspaper: "I wouldn't mind being the new Doctor. I might have with one of my agents and see if I can go along to a couple of auditions.

"My unique selling point would be they wouldn't need to spend money on stuntmen as I could do my own - it'd be so much cheaper."

Sales of 'Doctor Who' memorabilia have soared 75 per cent on eBay.co.uk since Matt Smith confirmed he was leaving the show.

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