Joanna Scanlan has dubbed actor Peter Capaldi "the Chippendale of Doctor Whos".
The actress - who he starred alongside him on 'The Thick of It' - is "delighted" her former colleague is to replace Matt Smith on the BBC sci-fi show and thinks he will be a brilliant Doctor.
She said: "I'm delighted for him. It seems to me he's the essence of [the] Doctor. I think Peter is sort of like the Chippendale of Doctor Whos, he's the true thing. A true fine article."
Joanna is sure viewers have seen the last of 'The Thick of It' now Peter - who portrayed foul-mouthed PR Malcolm in the comedy series - is taking control of the TARDIS.
She explained: "Now that Peter is the Doctor I would have thought that makes it very difficult to come back. You can't do 'The Thick Of It' without Peter Capaldi."
Matt - who played the Eleventh Doctor for four years - previously described Peter, 55, as the perfect choice to play the Time Lord.
He said: "If I had to pick someone I'd pick him. Because I think he's great ... I know he's a both a huge fan of the show and a really nice guy. The casting of it made me really excited, as a fan I think it's a really canny choice, I think he'll be a hit."
'Doctor Who' returns to TV screens for its 50th anniversary episode on November 23, and Peter will make his first appearance when the Eleventh Doctor regenerates in the Christmas Special.
Tagged in Matt Smith Peter Capaldi Joanna Scanlan