The next Doctor Who will be announced on a special half hour episode on Sunday 4th August. Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor, presented by Zoe Ball and broadcast on BBC1, will reveal who will play the twelfth incarnation of Doctor Who. For the US audience, the same show will be broadcast on Sunday on BBC America at 2.30pm.

Matt Smith, Jenna Louise Coleman and Stephen Moffat
Matt Smith, Jenna Louise Coleman and Stephen Moffat at 72nd Peabody Awards held at the Waldorf-Astoria, New York. 

Smith bade goodbye to his role as Doctor Who in a statement made to the BBC. He described his time in the role as "the most brilliant experience" and thanked "the cast, crew and fans of the show." He continued by saying he was "incredibly grateful" and "proud" of his colleagues. He paid special tribute to Stephen Moffat whose scripts are "varied, funny, mind bending and brilliant."

Of the Doctor Who fans, Smith said they "are unlikely any other; they dress up, shout louder, known more about the history of the show (and peculate more about the future of the show) in a way I've never seen before." He described their dedication as "truly remarkable."

David Tennant
David Tennant, 10th Doctor Who, at the premiere of Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists, London.

Smith reminded his fans that it's not over yet for his Doctor. He will make a further two appearances in his bowtie. The first will be on 23rd November when then 50th anniversary special of the show is broadcast. His final appearance will be on the Christmas episode where the new Doctor will take over. 

Details of 50th anniversary show have gradually been revealed over the last month. The special episode will star Smith, David Tennant and John Hurt all playing The Doctor. The current assistant Jenna Coleman and former assistant, Billie Piper, will also feature. And, of course, the Daleks are all set to threaten the universe!

Ben Stephenson a BBC drama controller claimed the next Doctor is "the biggest secret in showbiz." So make sure you tune in to BBC1 at 7pm/BBC American at 2.30pm on Sunday to find out! 

Matt Smith
Matt Smith filming the Doctor Who 50th anniversary special in Trafalgar Square, London.