WHO is Peter Capaldi!

Last night, following months of conjecture, Peter Capaldi was named as the new Doctor in BBC1's flagship series Doctor Who. He will become the 12th actor to take on the iconic role.

The casting was one of the industry's biggest secrets, and speculation as to who would be offered the part has been rife since 1 June when Matt Smith announced he would be stepping down as the 11th Doctor. Actors and actresses of all ages had their names linked to the role and, in fact, Peter had not initially been publically considered a frontrunner for the role. However, following a late surge he became the bookies' favourite and his appointment was finally announced in a special show on BBC1.

Peter, himself a lifelong fan of the show, said "Being asked to play The Doctor is an amazing privilege. Like the Doctor himself I find myself in a state of utter terror and delight. I can't wait to get started."

The decision has been met with much excitement and jubilation by fans on twitter and blogs as well as by the mainstream press, but they all have a while to wait as filming on Peter's first series as the Doctor doesn't begin until 2014 with his first episodes airing later the same year.

See Peter introducing himself as the new Doctor below.