Peter Capaldi: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds On The New Doctor Who

Peter Capaldi: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds
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Peter Capaldi Doctor Who
PA

Peter Capaldi will finally make his debut as the new Doctor Who on 23 August when the Time Lord returns to our TV screens.

The Scottish actor - best known as Malcolm Tucker in 'The Thick Of It' - replaces Matt Smith in the role, and has promised a 'darker, less user-friendly' version of the Doctor than we've seen before.

It has also been confirmed that Peter has already signed up to play the Doctor for a second series - and we're not surprised as the 56-year-old actor says it's 'the best role on TV'.

“[‘Doctor Who’ is] the best job on telly as far as I’m concerned," he said. "It’s so exciting and you’re working with people who are so talented and gifted.

“I mean, there is no other programme where you can find yourself facing men dressed in rubber suits playing monsters with ray-guns and all the rest of it… and meet historical figures, it’s a gas.”

But, what do we know about the 12th man destined to step into the Tardis and take a worldwide fanbase on a multi-directional voyage through time?

Prepare to become an expert as we present you with everything you need to know in 90 seconds...

Peter Capaldi: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds
Peter Capaldi: 9 Facts in 90 Seconds(01 of09)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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."