With Matt Smith's time as the Universe's most famous time altering, Tardis-flying hero, Doctor Who, coming to an end, we've all been scratching our heads over the prospect of his potential successor. Could it be a man, a woman, a lime-green half-man-half-woman? The possibilities are limitless, however the reality will be made apparent sooner than some might expect, as the BBC intends on revealing the 12th Doctor during a live show being aired this Sunday (4 August) on BBC1.

Matt Smith, Jenna Coleman and Steven Moffat
Current Doctor Matt Smith with his sidekick Jenna Coleman and the show's head, Steven Moffat

The show, which will be presented by Zoe Ball, will feature some in-depth Doctor Who discussion, as well as interviews with current Time Lord Matt Smith and executive producer and head writer Steven Moffat, with the new Doctor's unveiling serving as the main attraction for the Who-filled evening. According to reports from the BBC, the mystery person has already been chosen following a series of rigorous screentests, organised incognito by the Beeb under the codename 'Houdini.’

The race for the twelfth Time Lord really is wide open, with bookmakers currently singling out The Thick Of It's spin doctor and chief swearer Peter Capaldi as the frontrunner for one of the most coveted spot on TV. Law & Order: UK star Ben Daniels, Homeland's David Harewood and the TV BAFTA-winning, SkyFall star Ben Whishaw have also been rumoured to be among the front-runners for the show, whilst former Coronation Street actress Katherine Kelly has been strongly linked with the role after voicing her desire to become the first female Doctor Who. Peep Show's Olivia Colman and former sidekick of the Time Lord Billie Piper have also been linked with the role.

Peter Capaldi
Peter Capaldi is the bookie's favourite for the role

Prior to the unveiling, show boss Moffat said; "The decision is made and the time has come to reveal who’s taking over the Tardis. For the last of the Time Lords, the clock is striking 12.”

“BBC One is the home of big live events and this special live show is the perfect way to reveal the identity of the next Doctor and share it with the nation," Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC One said in a separate discussion. She added; "The Doctor is a truly iconic role and I’m more than excited about the booking.”

Billie Piper
Would Billie Pipe's return to the show as a Time Lord be too weird?