David Tenannt has confirmed he is to leave Doctor Who at the end of next year’s four special episodes, the BBC reports.
In an interview with the BBC news site Tennant said it was “better to go when there’s a chance that people might miss you, rather than to hang around and outstay your welcome”.
The actor took over the part for the 2005 Christmas special after Christopher Eccleston’s departure at the end of the highly successful revival’s first series.
Tennant has won a number of awards for his portrayal as the Timelord including the outstanding drama performance prize at the tonight’s National Television Awards.
Earlier this week the BBC announced that the annual Children in Need fundraiser will feature an exclusive preview of the first two minutes from the forthcoming Doctor Who Christmas special entitled The Next Doctor.