Fears Doctor Who actor Matt Smith will be regenerated Matt Smith, the actor who plays Doctor Who, has sparked fears among fans that he will be regenerated sooner rather than later.(TELEGRAPH)

By Claire Duffin9:48AM BST 01 Sep 2012

The actor hinted at an exit from the BBC series when he spoke of the "burdens" of the role of the Time Lord.

But the BBC's head of communications, Sam Hodges, denied Smith was quitting, adding "He'll be around for a good while yet".

Smith was cast as the youngest ever Docor in 2009 when he was 26. Series seven, Smith's third, will start on BBC One tonight.

In an interview with Empire Magazine ahead of the launch Smith said he could not sustain the role for as long as Tom Baker - who played the Doctor for seven years.

He said the schedule - which sees him work 12 hour days for 10 months of the year - had aged him "savagely".

"There are no days off unless your leg has fallen off. Me, Karen (Gillan who plays Amy Pond) and Arthur (Darvill, Amy's husband Rory) would see our skin deteriorate through the shoot.

"You see yourself looking slowly more bedraggled. I have aged savagely.

"But all for a good cause. I wouldn't change it for the world. There are burdens, but these are small crosses to bear for getting on set."

Smith was chosen as the Doctor following the departure of David Tennant, who left after three full series of the show and at the height of his popularity.


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