Peter Purves is "horrified" by the thought that a female may be cast as the new Doctor Who.
Peter Purves
The 78-year-old actor portrayed the Time Lord's companion Steven Taylor for two seasons in 1965 and, although he's looking forward to seeing a new actor play the time-travelling alien next year when Peter Capaldi - who depicts the current sonic screwdriver-wielding hero turns his back on the famous Tardis after four years in the role over the festive season - he hopes bosses don't decide to give the lead to a lady because the part should be played by a man.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror newspaper, he said: "That's not a misogynistic view. It's just that I don't think it's right. I like Miranda Hart and Sue Perkins in what they do but I don't see them as Doctor Who - I'd be horrified. A bit like James Bond, Doctor Who ought to be a man."
However, the former 'Blue Peter' presenter doesn't mind which male actor is cast.
He explained to the publication: "I have no preference but Peter Capaldi was a wonderful choice - he's a super actor and his final episode was extraordinarily interesting."
Meanwhile, although the festive special is fast approaching and time is running out, Chris Chibnall - who will take over from Steven Moffat as executive producer at the end of the year - is planning to write the script before he picks the person he wants to play the lead.
He said previously: "We'll cast the role in the traditional way: write the script, then go and find the best person for that part in that script. You couldn't go out and cast an abstract idea.
"The creative possibilities are endless, but I have a very clear sense of what we're going to do, without even knowing who's going to play the part."
Tagged in Steven Moffat Peter Capaldi