DOCTOR WHO - NESBITT TIPPED AS NEXT DOCTOR

Actor James Nesbitt is rumoured to be the hot favourite for the role of Doctor Who when current star David Tennant steps down.

According to the Sun, Tennant is expected to quit at the end of the next series along with lead writer Russell T Davies.

Jekyll star Nesbitt is expected to replace Tennant, teaming up with Steven Moffat who has written for Doctor Who before.

A source close to the show told the newspaper: "Moffat has worked with James on Jekyll and the talk in BBC Drama is that he's a shoo-in as the next Doctor.

"First a Scottish Doctor - now we could have a Northern Irish one."

Nesbitt's latest drama, Jekyll, has now concluded on BBC1 following a successful debut season.

He has previously starred in the hit ITV series Cold Feet and in the BBC police drama Murphy's Law.

He won a Bafta nomination for his role in Bloody Sunday and has also appeared in Danny Boyle's film Millions.