Peter Capaldi: No Doctor's assistant vacancy

Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi has insisted he is not looking for a new assistant to join him on his time travels.

There have been rumours that Jenna Coleman, who plays the Time Lord’s current assistant, is set to bow out in the Christmas special and speculation has already begun as to who will replace her.

But Peter told BBC’s The One Show: “I’m not looking for a new assistant… I don’t know where these rumours have started.

(Ben Birchall/PA)

He added: “What I can say is she is absolutely fabulous. She’s been called upon to do things that I don’t think any other companion has had to do, to show a kind of emotional range and I think she’s done it absolutely brilliantly.”

But the rumours of Jenna’s departure have gone into overdrive after a picture from the set of the new series of the hit sci-fi show was leaked and published in the Daily Star newspaper showing a picture of a grave with the name Clara Oswald on it.

However, the epitaph reads “Remember me for we shall meet again”, and the dates read “Born November 23 1866, Died December 24 1892″.

(BBC)

Pictures released from first episode of the new season, Deep Breath, show it to be set in the Victorian era – which cover the dates on the grave.

Peter also teased: “I’ve read she may be leaving at Christmas but I don’t even know if she’ll get to Christmas, you’ll have to watch it and see what happens.”

Those tipped to replace Jenna as the new companion include Peter’s former The Thick Of It co-star Chris Addison, who already has a cameo in the series.

Chris Addison has been rumoured as a new Doctor’s assistant (Ian West/PA)

Game Of Thrones star Rose Leslie and former Doctor Who star Karen Gillan have also been linked to the role.