DAVID Tennant could be about to quit the role of Doctor Who, according to a fellow actor in the hit BBC series.
Catherine Tate, who is to play the Doctor's assistant, has suggested that the next series of Doctor Who could be the last for the popular Scottish actor.
The comedian, speaking on Radio 2's Jonathan Ross programme, said: "I think it's maybe David
's last series."
The BBC has refused to comment officially on Tennant's future as the show's star.
Tate, who first appeared in the 2006 Christmas special, is to return as the Doctor's assistant, Donna, for the entire run of the fourth series. She will also be joined for several episodes by the Doctor's former companion Martha Jones, played by Freema Agyeman.
When pressed on whether Tennant would return to play the timelord in special Doctor Who shows in future, Tate replied: "Possibly."
The comedian also confirmed that the forthcoming series would be her last. Tate made her Doctor Who debut last year as a runaway bride who found herself transported into the Tardis as she prepared for her wedding on Christmas Eve.
The episode attracted an audience of 9.4 million when it was screened on BBC One on Christmas Day.
Doctor Who originally ran from 1963 to 1989. The programme was successfully relaunched in 2005 with Tennant the 10th actor to play the role.
The fourth series starring Tennant is due to hit TV screens next year, but the fifth will not be seen until 2010. Instead, Tennant will star in three Doctor Who specials, written by Russell T Davies, on BBC One in 2009.
A spokeswoman for Doctor Who said she was unable to comment on whether Tennant would return for the 2010 series.
The Scots actor replaced Christopher Ecclestone, who captured a new generation of fans for the show as the first of the new Doctor Whos, before unexpectedly quitting himself.
This year's Christmas special, starring Kylie Minogue, is due to be screened at 6.50pm on December 25.
Speaking to Doctor Who magazine, the pop star said appearing in the show was "like stepping back in time." The former Neighbours actress said: "I really felt at home being back in the world of TV". She added: "I've definitely got the acting bug again."
The full article contains 388 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
