Peter Capaldi was revealed as the new Doctor Who last night – the 12th Doctor to step inside the Tardis and have a stab at saving the globe. It’s an interesting choice considering his age recent work and recent work, but generally, it’s been a popular one.

Peter CapaldiPeter Capaldi will make a brilliant Doctor

"It's so wonderful not to keep this secret any longer, but it's been so fantastic," he said after the news was revealed on a live BBC One show.

But how much do you know about our new Doctor?

Fans of the Thick of It will know him as Malcolm Tucker – the uncompromising spin-doctor who read the swear dictionary every night before bed up until the age of eleven. Tucker is one of the finest comic creations in television history, so Capaldi has already proven he’ll bring the laughs, even if he can’t call up on the same vocabulary.

Capaldi attended the Glasgow School of Art, and while studying there, landed his breakout role in the 1983 drama Local Hero directed by Bill Forsyth and starring Burt Lancaster. Since then, he’s been one of the busiest actors in both the U.K and Hollywood, with nominations for acting honours from British Independent Film Awards, as well as London, Los Angeles and New York film critics' awards.

His most recent work has been on Skins, The Devil's Whore, Torchwood: Children of Earth and BBC mini-series The Nativity, but Doctor Who will surely provide the pinnacle of his acting career. Capaldi is a huge fan of the show, and even wrote a letter, aged 15, congratulating the BBC on their excellent work with the 10th anniversary.

"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," he said.

The BBC have plumped for an established actor with tremendous experience for the role; he knows the franchise and can bring a darker, comical side to the much-loved Time Lord. The first scenes featuring Capaldi as the Doctor will be filmed this Autumn.

Peter CapaldiA darkly comic Doctor...