Mathew Horne

Mathew Horne

Mathew Horne wants to be the next star of 'Doctor Who'.

The 'Gavin and Stacey' actor admits he is keen to take control of the TARDIS and become the Twelfth Doctor now Matt Smith has announced he is quitting the BBC One sci-fi show.

When asked by a follower on Twitter if he is interested in the role, Horne replied: "Of course, but it will not happen."

The 34-year-old star publicly admitted he was interested in the role when Tenth Doctor David Tennant left the series in 2009, but he was pipped to the part by Smith.

Horne previously said: "I'd have loved to do it. I said in the press. The producers obviously had a meeting and went, 'There's this young guy called Matt something who wants to do it. ' And they picked the wrong Matt."

Smith announced his departure from the BBC One show on Saturday (01.06.13) and his four-year stint as the titular character will come to an end after he appears in the 50th Anniversary episode on November 23 and the Christmas special.

He said: "'Doctor Who' has been the most brilliant experience for me as an actor and a bloke, and that largely is down to the cast, crew and fans of the show. I'm incredibly grateful to all the cast and crew who work tirelessly every day, to realise all the elements of the show and deliver 'Doctor Who' to the audience ... Thank you so very much for supporting my incarnation of the Time Lord, number Eleven, who I might add is not done yet, I'm back for the 50th anniversary and the Christmas special!

"It's been an honour to play this part, to follow the legacy of brilliant actors, and helm the TARDIS for a spell. But when ya gotta go, ya gotta go. Thank you guys. Matt."

Bookmakers have begun taking bets on who will play the Twelfth Doctor when production begins this autumn.

Former 'Harry Potter' actor Rupert Grint and 'Being Human' star Russell Tovey have been named as favourites by William Hill. They are also offering odds for 'Sherlock' actor Martin Freeman and 'Skyfall' star Ben Whishaw. Possible female Doctors have been named as Olivia Colman from 'Broadchurch', Fiona O'Shaughnessy from 'Utopia' or former assistant Billie Piper.