Olly Alexander 'set to be the new Doctor Who and will become the first-ever gay actor to play the Time Lord - after It's A Sin creator Russell T Davies championed him for the role'

Olly Alexander is reportedly set to be the new Doctor Who and will become the first-ever gay actor to play the Time Lord.

It comes following reports that Jodie Whittaker has quit after half a decade of playing the iconic role, having taken over from Peter Capaldi in 2017.

According to new reports, Russell T Davies, who was previously an executive producer for Doctor Who, 'championed' Olly, 30, for the role.

New Doctor? Olly Alexander is reportedly set to be the new Doctor Who and will become the first-ever gay actor to play the Time Lord (pictured earlier this month)

Ludovic de Saint Sernin Autumn/Winter 2021

Shop the designer...

Buy now

Olly Alexander may have come to your attention because of It's a Sin, but we knew him long before thanks to his statement fashion.

He recently opened the TV BAFTA Awards in a killer co-ord from Parnell Mooney thanks to stylist Nick Royal who later dressed him in a Ludovic de Saint Sernin top and pinstripe trousers.

Hailing from the AW21 collection, the Swarovski-crystallised halter crop top is designed with a checked pattern that instantly makes a statement.

The top isn't available to buy yet but click to check out the current collection. Or recreate Olly's look by snapping up a chainmail top from the carousel.

Nasty Gal chainmail crop top (now reduced to £5)

Buy now

8 Other Reasons 'Kenny' top at Revolve

Buy now

Paco Rabanne paillette-embellished chainmail tank at NET-A-PORTER

Buy now

Christopher Kane crystal-embellished chainmail top (now reduced to £876)

Buy now

Years & Years' Olly recently received critical acclaim for his role as Ritchie Tozer in Davies' groundbreaking Channel 4 series It's A Sin.

A source told The Sun: 'Olly is on the verge of being announced as the new Doctor. Negotiations are at an advanced stage.

'He's been heavily promoted for the role by Russell — who he's worked closely with on other projects. Russell was impressed with his work and felt he was a great fit for the Doctor.

'It's definitely happening, he's just had to keep quiet about it while negotiations were finalised.'

Reports: It comes following reports that Jodie Whittaker has quit after half a decade of playing the iconic role, having taken over from Peter Capaldi in 2017 (pictured in show still)

While a 'BBC insider' told the publication that bosses are staying 'tight-lipped' about what they have planned and that there is still 'lots more to come' for Jodie due to filming reportedly continuing for episodes in 2022.

A representative for Olly denied the claims to MailOnline, saying that the singer is 'focusing on his music, for the time being.'

MailOnline has contacted Jodie and Russell's representatives, as well as BBC, for comment.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Jodie is set to star in two more specials in 2022 before leaving the sci-fi series after nearly five years in the role.

Sources claim the actress, who made the history as the first-ever female Doctor, will appear in the extra episodes once series 13 has aired later this year, with that instalment cut to just eight episodes to due to the Covid pandemic.

Sweet: According to new reports, Russell T Davies, pictured in January, who was previously an executive producer for Doctor Who, 'championed' Olly, 30, for the role

It comes following reports in January that Jodie has quit the role of Doctor Who after half a decade playing the iconic role, having taken over from Peter Capaldi in 2017.

It is believed the episodes will feature stories which were axed from this year's series due to Covid restrictions.

One of the episodes is likely to feature the important regeneration scene which is custom for the change of every Doctor, The Mirror reports.

While Jodie will still be on televisions as the Doctor until next year, she will conclude filming for the show in the coming months.

MailOnline contacted representatives for BBC for comment at the time.

Talented: Years & Years' Olly, centre in show still, recently received critical acclaim for his role as Ritchie Tozer in Davies' groundbreaking Channel 4 series It's A Sin

Earlier this year, it was reported that Jodie is set to be the first Doctor ever not to feature on the cover of the show's annual.

The artwork for the 2022 Doctor Who annual will feature artwork of the Tardis, rather than a picture of Jodie as The Doctor.

Jodie's iteration of the Time Lord has appeared on each of the last three Doctor Who annuals, but with rumours circulating about her future on the show, she has been removed from the cover.

A source told The Mirror: 'Every Doctor Who annual since 1964 has featured the current Doctor so this is a big departure for them. It's surely no coincidence that it's happened just as she's on the way out.'

Exit: Earlier this month, it was reported that Jodie is set to star in two more specials in 2022 before leaving the sci-fi series after nearly five years in the role (pictured in still)

Another told the paper: 'As ever bosses are staying tight-lipped about what they have planned, but with filming still ongoing they clearly have plans for episodes to be playing out much later into 2022 – so there's still more to come for Jodie's Doctor.'

MailOnline approached the BBC for comment at the time.

After seeing fans' reaction to the new cover, the author of the annual, Paul Lang took to Twitter to reassure fans that Jodie will still feature throughout the book.

He said: 'I didn't do the cover but I can assure you she is inside on every page.'

Air date: Sources claim the actress, who made the history as the first-ever female Doctor, will appear in the extra episodes once series 13 has aired later this year, with that instalment cut to just eight episodes to due to the Covid pandemic

While the publishers of the annual, Penguin Random House, told The Sun: 'We made the decision some time ago to experiment with a non-character led illustrated cover. Jodie is, of course, featured throughout the book itself.'

It comes after rumours emerged that Jodie will leave Doctor Who after series 13.

In March, the BBC refused to comment on speculation, after it was reported that the screen star handed in her notice for the show.

Jodie reportedly told BBC bosses that she won't be returning to the popular series following the conclusion of the upcoming series 13.

End of an era: Earlier this year, it was reported that Jodie is set to be the first Doctor ever not to feature on the cover of the show's annual

Something new: Paul Lang, the author of the upcoming annual, tried to appease fans by saying that although Jodie isn't on the cover, she is on almost all of the pages inside

That will mark a four-year run for the actress, which is about average for recent actors playing the time-travelling alien.

Matt Smith, David Tennant and Peter Capaldi also appeared on Doctor Who for three series each, while Christopher Eccleston only appeared on one series after the show was revived in 2005.

According to a source for The Mirror, the show is already at work on figuring out how Whittaker will be replaced by the Fourteenth Doctor.

As with previous Doctors, at the end of Whittaker's tenure her character will 'regenerate' into a new form, at which point the next actor will take over the role.

New regeneration: The artwork for the 2022 Doctor Who annual will feature artwork of the Tardis, rather than a picture of Jodie as The Doctor

Jodie made history in July 2017 when she was announced as the first-ever female doctor after Peter Capaldi ended his run.

Earlier this year, Mandip Gill revealed that bosses are 'open' to casting a 'woman of colour' as the next Time Lord.

The actress, who plays Yasmin Khan in the sci-fi series, said that 'there's definitely room for change,' when it comes to diversifying the show's cast, following reports that Jodie has quit the role after four years in the TARDIS.

It comes after Who was universally praised by fans for introducing its first-ever black Doctor, played by Jo Martin, in a twist that saw the time traveller learn of numerous incarnations from her past.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4, Mandip said she could see another black actor taking on the famous role, as bosses are yet to confirm rumours that Jodie will leave the show later this year.

She said: 'I think there's a long way to go but there's definitely room for change. And actually, I think at the BBC and at Doctor Who they are very open and forward-thinking, so yes.'

Making her mark: Jodie made history in July 2017 when she was announced as the first-ever female doctor after Peter Capaldi ended his run

Doctor Who? All the actors who have played the Time Lord

The BBC's hit Sci-fi show Doctor Who was first launched by the BBC in 1963. It chronicles the journey of a Time Lord called 'The Doctor'.

He is first introduced after fleeing his home planet, Gallifrey.

The Doctor travels through time and space in his spaceship, called a TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimension In Space), which resembles a police box.

During his travels, The Doctor meets people and invites them to voyage with him. They are known as his companions.

He also encounters several evil beings, such as Daleks and Cyberman, and is forced to defeat them sing minimal resources, such as his Sonic Screwdriver, as they try to destroy or take over other planets, including Earth.

As a Time Lord, The Doctor has the capacity to regenerate when he is wounded or dying. After regenerating, he takes on a new appearance and personality.

The concept of regenerating was added into the series after the First Doctor, William Hartnell, became ill and stepped down from his role.

The first run of Doctor Who ended in 1989 before being revived in 2005 with Christopher Ecclestone as the Ninth Doctor.

Below is the full list of the actors who have been cast as the Doctor from 1963 to 2017 - when Jodie Whittaker took over the coveted role.

Starting the legacy: The First Doctor William Hartnell (1963-1966)

Second and Third: Patrick Troughton (1966–1969) and Jon Pertwee (1970–1974)

Fourth and Fifth: Tom Baker (1974–1981) and Peter Davison (1981–1984)

Sixth and Seventh: Colin Baker (1984–1986) and Sylvester McCoy (1987–1989, 1996)

Eighth and Ninth: Paul McGann (1996) and Christopher Eccleston (2005)

Tenth and Eleventh: David Tennant (2005-2010) and Matt Smith (2010-2013)

Twelfth: Peter Capaldi (2013 - 2017)