Doctor Who: Peter Capaldi announces his departure from the cult sci-fi show

New Delhi : Famous actor Peter Capaldi shocked his fans with the announcement of his departure from the cult sci-fi TV show Doctor Who.

Mr Capaldi revealed that he will be stepping down from his role by the end of this year. "I feel it’s time to move on," he said.

The 58-year-old Glasgow-born star had joined the cast of Doctor Who in 2013.

With the announcement it is clear that upcoming Doctor Who season 10 will be his last. 

"I feel sad, I love Doctor Who, it is a fantastic programme to work on," he said. "It can't praise the people I work with more highly, but I have always been someone that did a lot of different things."

He also mentioned that the makers have asked him to stay but, it is entirely his decision to move out from the show.

The new series airs in spring and Capaldi said his final episode will be shown at Christmas.

Capaldi was previously best known for his role as foul-mouthed spin-doctor Malcolm Tucker in the BBC series The Thick of It.