Who favourite talks Time Lords

Actor Paterson Joseph, who has been hotly tipped to replace David Tennant in Doctor Who, has suggested he would relish the role.

Joseph, who appeared in two Doctor Who episodes in 2005, said “any actor would love the challenge” of playing the Time Lord.

But he refused to comment on reports that he is in the running for the part.

Joseph plays a lead role in the BBC's forthcoming post-apocalyptic sci-fi series, Survivors.

Bookmakers made Joseph an early favourite to replace Tennant offering odds of 3-1 on him becoming the first black Doctor.

“His [the Doctor's] parameters are so vast. I don't see why he can't have more regenerations than the 13 that those who know think a Time Lord can have,” said Joseph, who is currently filming a TV series in South Africa.

But the actor refused to be drawn further on his chances.

“I'm afraid I can't make any comment on it. I'm not a gambler. And I don't approve of gambling unless it's for the Grand National,” he said.

Asked over the phone if he was getting a lot of attention over the Doctor Who speculation, Joseph said: “What's brilliant about being in South Africa is that I'm not getting any calls except from friends who think it's hilarious and wonderful.”

The 44-year-old actor - who plays Johnson in the Channel 4 comedy Peep Show, and also appeared in the BBC space sitcom Hyperdrive - said he was fascinated by the sci-fi genre.

“Comedy and sci-fi are two areas where you can be larger than life, without the charge of overacting,” he said.

“My favourite character was the Marquis de Carabas from Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere.

"I love that character because he's so flamboyant but also darkly dangerous - and he's also 200 years old.

“In no other genre can you be believable as an immortal character. I love sci-fi for that, so yeah - I'm a big fan.”

Tennant announced at the National Television Awards last month that he would stand down as the Doctor after he has filmed four special episodes next year.

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