Rising dame? Peter Capaldi is backing screen veteran Frances de la Tour to be the first female Doctor Who after announcing he's leaving BBC cult hit 

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He sent fans into a frenzy after announcing he is to quit Doctor Who by the end of the year.

Now Peter Capaldi has joined in the name-dropping for the next Time Lord - and he wants a woman to take over from him.

And the Scottish actor, 58, is giving his backing to Rising Damp veteran Frances de la Tour.

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Rising dame? Exiting Doctor Who Peter Capaldi has joined in the name-dropping for the next Time Lord - and he wants a woman to take over from him, Rising Damp star Frances de la Tour

Speaking to the Mirror after his shock announcement on Monday, he said: 'The time felt right to bow out, to let somebody else play this wonderful role and I would like Frances de la Tour to be first female doctor.'

The 72-year-old actress is best known for her turn as Miss Jones in 1970s sitcom Rising Damp and role in Harry Potter.

Bizarrely, she was considered to be the first female Doctor in the 1980s, when producers were desperate to change the sex of the time-travelling alien in a bid to keep it on the air.

De lay Tour, Joanna Lumley and Dawn French were in the running, however, the show was cancelled in 1989, only to return with another man, Christopher Eccleston, in the lead role in 2005.

Screen veteran: The 72-year-old actress is best known for her turn as Miss Jones in 1970s sitcom Rising Damp (above) and role in Harry Potter 

Former favourite: Bizarrely, she was considered to be the first female Doctor in the 1980s, when producers were desperate to change the sex of the time-travelling alien in a bid to keep it on the air

Capaldi was the 12th actor to play the iconic role, having landed the coveted spot on the long-running series after Matt Smith’s departure in June 2013.

He made his departure announcement whilst speaking to Jo Whiley on BBC Radio 2 on Monday, and revealed that it was 'time to move on' from the BBC series. 

'I feel it’s time to move on,' he reasoned, adding: 'One of the greatest privileges of being Doctor Who is to see the world at its best.

'From our brilliant crew and creative team working for the best broadcaster on the planet, to the viewers and fans whose endless creativity, generosity and inclusiveness points to a brighter future ahead

'I can’t thank everyone enough. It’s been cosmic.'

The Time(lord) is right: Capaldi was the 12th actor to play the iconic role, having landed the coveted spot on the long-running series after Matt Smith’s departure in June 2013

Moving on: Peter made the announcement whilst speaking to Jo Whiley on BBC Radio 2 on Monday, as he revealed he would be leaving the BBC series at the end of the year

In a statement, show boss Steven Moffatt said: 'For years before I ever imagined being involved in Doctor Who, or had ever met the man, I wanted to work with Peter Capaldi.

'I could not have imagined that one day we’d be standing on the TARDIS together.'

Steven, who is also leaving after season 10, added: 'Like Peter, I’m facing up to leaving the best job I’ll ever have, but knowing I do so in the company of the best, and kindest and cleverest of men, makes the saddest of endings a little sweeter. 

'But hey, it’s a long way from over. Peter's amazing, fiery, turbulent Doctor is still fighting the good fight, and his greatest adventures are yet to come. 

'Monsters of the universe, be on your guard - Capaldi’s not done with you yet!'  

Predecessor: Peter replaced Matt Smith (pictured) in 2013. His casting was revealed on August 4 during a live broadcast on BBC One, titled Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor

 Peter's decision to quit comes as a shock, as it comes just a matter of weeks after he claimed he wanted to stay in the role for a 'long time'.

Ahead of his return on Christmas Day, the actor appeared on The Andrew Marr Show, where he claimed to have no intentions of moving on. 

He said: 'My kind of attitude about it is that I didn't want it to change my life much, but it does. But in as much as my private life goes, it remains much the same.

'But when I go out into the world, I can't, you know I don't want to escape the idea that I'm Doctor Who, and it's finite - I won't be Doctor Who forever - so there will be a day when people don't come and say hello.'

Asked when that moment would be, he replied: 'Oh, not for a long time, I hope.'

Dream team: When Peter began the role his assistant was played by Jenna Coleman

Despite Peter's insistence that he would be staying with the show, rumours began to circulate about his departure earlier this month.

It was previously announced that writer Steven Moffat would be stepping down this year, with his replacement Chris Chibnall - who created Broadchurch - believed to be in control of picking his own Time Lord. 

A source on the BBC show told The Mirror: 'Bosses are already discussing a fresh start when Steven leaves.

'They’ve been happy with what Peter has brought to the role but some think it might make sense to give Chris his own choice of actor to play the Doctor.

'They hope he will be able to find someone who can have the same impact as Matt Smith did when Steven Moffat kicked off his run as executive producer.'

Mixed opinions: Doctor Who fans expressed their sadness at Peter's departure, as talk immediately turned to who could replace the star as the 13th Time Lord 

Before his work on Doctor Who, Peter was best known for playing the foul-mouthed Spin Doctor Malcom Tucker in satirical series, The Thick Of It.  

His casting as the Time Lord therefore came as a shock to fans when it was revealed on August 4 during a live broadcast on BBC One, titled Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor.

Since landing the role over three years ago, he has fronted two series and appeared in 27 episodes.

Changing it up: Before his work on Doctor Who, Peter was best known for playing the foul-mouthed Spin Doctor Malcom Tucker in satirical series, The Thick Of It

As seen on screen: Peter first appeared as the Doctor in a cameo in the 50th anniversary special, titled, The Day of the Doctor, before appearing in the 2013 Christmas special

Peter first appeared as the Doctor in a cameo in the 50th anniversary special, The Day of the Doctor, before appearing in the 2013 Christmas special, 'The Time of the Doctor'.

As a die-hard fan of the franchise, Peter had previously starred in an episode of the show, playing Lobus Caecilius in the 2008 episode The Fires of Pompeii.

Peter also played civil servant John Frobisher in 2009 in the spin-off series, Torchwood: Children of Earth.  

When he joined the series as the Time Lord, his companion was played by Jenna Coleman. 

Jenna starred as Clara Oswald - joining initially as Matt Smith's companion in 2012. She left the series in 2014.  

Is it Time for a female Time Lord? Fans called on Hayley Atwell to be considered as a replacement, which would make her the first female Doctor in the shows history 

Girl power: Fans have called on the BBC to employ Avengers star Hayley Atwell as the first female Doctor. She is best known for her portrayal of Peggy Carter in various Marvel films

Fans took to Twitter in their droves to express their dismay at Peter's departure, but it wasn't long before they began to speculate who could be the 13th Doctor. 

Some fans have called on the BBC to employ Avengers star Hayley Atwell as the first female Doctor. She is best known for her portrayal of Peggy Carter in various films and television series set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Other viewers have suspected Rupert Grint could take on the role. He is no stranger to giant franchises having made his name as Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter series.

Time for a change? Fans called on Rupert Grint to be considered as the next Doctor 

Big moment: Rupert is no stranger to giant franchises having made his name as Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter series 

Meanwhile, Peter's shock departure comes days after he was spotted in high spirits filming scenes for series 10 of Doctor Who in Cardiff alongside show newbie Pearl Mackie.

Pearl - best known for her role in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time - was announced as the Doctor's new sidekick during an FA Cup semi-final match, with a special teaser trailer showing her and the Time Lord facing off against a Dalek.

She certainly has a fan in her co-star Peter, who recently said: 'It is a genuine delight to welcome Pearl Mackie to Doctor Who.

'A fine, fine actress with a wonderful zest and charm, she's a refreshing addition to the TARDIS and will bring a universe of exciting new possibilities to The Doctor's adventures.'

Turn back time: The announcement comes days after he was in spotted in high spirits filming scenes for series 10 of Doctor Who in Cardiff alongside show newbie Pearl Mackie

The show is reportedly set to return to screens in April, and will see Matt Lucas return as Nardole, while David Suchet will make a guest appearance as The Landlord.

Little Britain star Lucas previously said in a BBC press release: 'I’m chuffed to bits that Nardole is returning to the TARDIS for some more adventures. I loved acting with Peter and I’m excited to work with Pearl.'

While executive producer Steven Moffat added: 'Delighted and slightly amazed to be welcoming Matt Lucas back on to the TARDIS - and this time it’s not just for Christmas, he’s sticking around. One of the greatest comedy talents on planet Earth is being unleashed on all of time and space.' 

Fantastic four: The 10th series is set to air in April and will see Peter joined by Matt Lucas returning as Nardole, while David Suchet will make a guest appearance as The Landlord