There’ll be a new Time lord aboard the TARDIS next year.

Peter Capaldi, who has played the twelfth (thirteenth?) Doctor in the BBC’s long-running sci-fi smash since his debut at the end of 2013’s Christmas special ‘The Time of the Doctor’, announced live on Radio 2’s Jo Wiley Show this evening (January 30th) that the upcoming tenth season of the rebooted series, his third in the leading role, will be his last.

He confirmed rumours that he had been asked to stay on for a fourth year (the first to be produced by new showrunner Chris Chibnall) but indicated that he felt it was time to move on before he had nothing else to offer the role or felt that he was no longer enjoying playing the character. He also confirmed that the upcoming season will begin on April 15th on BBC, that Matt Lucas, who plays Nardole as “a sort of Batman” to the Doctor, will appear intermittently throughout the series and that his regeneration episode will air at Christmas 2017.

In a statement released following the announcement Capaldi explained, “One of the greatest privileges of being Doctor Who is to see the world at its best. From our brilliant crew and creative team working for the best broadcaster on the planet, to the viewers and fans whose endless creativity, generosity and inclusiveness points to a brighter future ahead. I can’t thank everyone enough. It’s been cosmic.”

Similarly-outgoing showrunner Steven Moffat said, “For years before I ever imagined being involved in Doctor Who, or had ever met the man, I wanted to work with Peter Capaldi. I could not have imagined that one day we’d be standing on the TARDIS together. 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. But hey, it’s a long way from over. Peters’ 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!”

Start placing your bets now on the identity of the new Doctor as a new era waits in the wings…