Outgoing Doctor Who boss Steven Moffat said he has no regrets about not introducing a female Doctor into the series sooner.

Mr Moffat, 56, from Paisley, admitted he could have replaced Matt Smith’s Doctor with a woman but said he did not because he became “obsessed with seeing Peter [Capaldi] in the Tardis”.

This year’s Doctor Who Christmas special will mark both his and actor Capaldi’s departure from the BBC sci-fi series.

Viewers will also be hoping to get a glimpse of the first female Dr, played by Broadchurch star Jodie Whittaker, who was brought on board by the show’s new chief, Chris Chibnall.