'Doctor Who': 'Insider' Claims Over Flood Of Bets On Peter Capaldi As New Doctor

'Insider' Claims Over Flood Of Bets On New 'Doctor Who'

There is already controversy surrounding the announcement of the new Doctor Who with 'insider trading' claims being made after bookies paid out £100,000.

Despite only 10 people officially knowing that Peter Capaldi had landed the role as the new Time Lord, a flood of bets were placed prior to the official announcement being made.

Open Image Modal

Peter Capaldi is the new Doctor Who

Among those who knew were departing 'Doctor' Matt Smith, BBC chief Danny Cohen and show executive Steven Moffat.

It is thought their emails may have been seen or chats overheard but the Beeb have stressed they have no knowledge of any leaks.

The BBC told The Sun: “We have no knowledge of insider betting.”

But betting firm Ladbrokes, who lost £25,000, said: “It looks like someone let the identity slip.”

The actor, whose identity as the 12th Time Lord was revealed on Sunday evening, explained that he was shooting on location in Prague when the call came through, and his phone was on silent.

"Ten minutes later, I phoned my agent back," he told the BBC during the live show announcing his new role, "and my agent just said, 'Hello, Doctor.'

"I just started to laugh and I haven't stopped laughing since."

Peter Capaldi: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds
Peter Capaldi: 9 Facts in 90 Seconds(01 of09)
Open Image Modal
The new Doctor Who is a Patron of the Association for International Cancer Research, and of a Scottish children's charity, the Aberlour Child Care Trust.
Peter Capaldi: 9 Facts in 90 Seconds(02 of09)
Open Image Modal
Peter Capaldi is 55. That's 25 years older than Matt Smith, the 11th Time Lord, and the same age as the very first Doctor Who William Hartnell.
Peter Capaldi: 9 Facts in 90 Seconds(03 of09)
Open Image Modal
As well as all his BAFTA award and two British Comedy Awards for his portrayal of Malcolm Tucker in 'The Thick of It, Capaldi has an Live Action Short Film Oscar on his shelf - for his 1995 film celebrating the work of German author Franz Kafka.
Peter Capaldi: 9 Facts in 90 Seconds(04 of09)
Open Image Modal
Capaldi lives in North London with his wife Elaine and daughter, from whom whom he had to keep it secret that he was to be the next Doctor Who. "She was looking at the internet, and getting upset when there was no mention of me," he revealed. "I had to say, 'Rise above it, darling.'"
Peter Capaldi: 9 Facts in 90 Seconds(05 of09)
Open Image Modal
In a 30-year career, Capaldi has appeared on small and big screen, as well as the stage. His face will be familiar from all sorts of things, from 'The Vicar of Dibley', to 'Prime Suspect 3', 'Skins', 'Midsomer Murders', 'Psychos', 'Peep Show', 'Waking the Dead'. even a 2008 episode of 'Doctor Who: The Fires of Pompeii'. He will be co-starring with Benedict Cumberbatch in the forthcoming film about Wikileaks, 'The Fifth Estate'.
Peter Capaldi: 9 Facts in 90 Seconds(06 of09)
Open Image Modal
As an arts student in Glasgow, Capaldi was the lead singer of a punk band, Dreamboys, whose drummer was future comedian Craig Ferguson. Picture: rsanews.com
Peter Capaldi: 9 Facts in 90 Seconds(07 of09)
Open Image Modal
He got his big break in the 1983 film 'Local Hero', where he played Oldsen, distracted from plans of empire-building by the sight of Jenny Seagrove swimming.
Peter Capaldi: 9 Facts in 90 Seconds(08 of09)
Open Image Modal
Peter Capaldi recently appeared in Brad Pitt's apocalyptic blockbuster 'World War Z'. Spookily, Capaldi played 'W.H.O doctor' - just a suitable World Health Organisation acronym, or did they know something we didn't?!
Peter Capaldi: 9 Facts in 90 Seconds(09 of09)
Open Image Modal
Until now, Peter Capaldi's most celebrated role is that of government spin doctor Malcolm Tucker, a man who can turn the Cabinet Room blue with his stream of personal invective. Example: "When I want your opinion, I'll give you the signal, and the signal will be me being sectioned."

Open Image Modal