Phoebe Waller-Bridge denies reports she’s set to become Doctor Who’s first female lead

The Fleabag star has said she will not be taking over from Peter Capaldi
Jennifer Ruby15 May 2017

Phoebe Waller-Bridge has denied that she is going to be taking over from Peter Capaldi as the first female Doctor in Doctor Who.

The British actress and writer rubbished reports that she is being lined up to take on the lead role as she picked up an award for Fleabag at the BAFTA TV Awards on Sunday night.

“I am not going to be the first female Doctor, not that I know of,” she said after collecting her trophy.

Waller-Bridge did confirm that she is set to appear in the new Star Wars Han Solo spin-off film, adding: “As far as I know, I am in the Star Wars film, yes.

“I thought about making up a ridiculous plot for the film and just telling everyone that was the plot… but I’ve been heavily advised not to do that as well. Poker face it is I’m afraid.”

The 31-year-old has been bookies favourite to become the first female Doctor for weeks, with sources suggesting that the BBC were keen to hire her.

Bafta TV Awards 2017 - red carpet

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“Beeb bosses love Phoebe. They thought she did an amazing job with Fleabag and is certainly one of the rising stars in TV and film,” a source told The Mirror.

“They see her as the perfect fit as a Time Lord and the first female Doctor Who.”

Waller-Bridge admitted to being “over-the-moon” to win the Best Female Comedy Performance gong for the critically-acclaimed Fleabag, beating Diane Morgan, Lesley Manville and Olivia Colman.

Sharing her mother’s advice, she told the crowd: “Darling you can be whatever you want to be, as long as you are outrageous.”

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