Jodie Whittaker confirms she is leaving Doctor Who and will bow out in 2022

Jodie Whittaker confirms she is leaving Doctor Who and will bow out in 2022
Jodie Whittaker confirms she is leaving Doctor Who and will bow out in 2022

Jodie Whittaker has confirmed she is leaving Doctor Who alongside showrunner Chris Chibnall, both of whom have worked on the show since 2017.

It was first announced that the actress, 39, would take up the mantle as the thirteenth iteration of the iconic time traveller four years ago, and in a statement released on Thursday, the screen star described her time manning the Tardis as being 'the best job I ever had'.

The BBC has announced that Jodie will be seen off in a three-part special, one of which will be feature-length.

Horizons new: Jodie Whittaker, 39, has confirmed she is leaving Doctor Who alongside showrunner Chris Chibnall, both of whom have worked on the show since 2017

Horizons new: Jodie Whittaker, 39, has confirmed she is leaving Doctor Who alongside showrunner Chris Chibnall, both of whom have worked on the show since 2017

She will first appear in the thirteenth season of Doctor Who – set to air later this year – and then in the first special, tipped to hit screens on New Year's Day 2022.

A second special will air in spring 2022, with Jodie's final, feature-length appearance as the Doctor – in which she will regenerate – arriving in autumn 2022 as part of the BBC's centenary celebrations.

Of her time on the show, Jodie said: 'In 2017 I opened my glorious gift box of size 13 shoes. I could not have guessed the brilliant adventures, worlds and wonders I was to see in them.

'My heart is so full of love for this show, for the team who make it, for the fans who watch it and for what it has brought to my life. And I cannot thank Chris enough for entrusting me with his incredible stories.'

Statement: In a statement released on Thursday, Jodie described her time manning the Tardis as being 'the best job I ever had'

Statement: In a statement released on Thursday, Jodie described her time manning the Tardis as being 'the best job I ever had'

She added: 'We knew that we wanted to ride this wave side by side, and pass on the baton together. So here we are, weeks away from wrapping on the best job I have ever had.

'I don't think I'll ever be able to express what this role has given me. I will carry the Doctor and the lessons I've learnt forever.'

Jodie concluded: 'I know change can be scary and none of us know what's out there.

read more from dailymail.....

PREV Ariana DeBose will host the Tony Awards for the 3rd year in a row: 'It will be ... trends now
NEXT Drew Barrymore models a chic white pantsuit as she leaves CBS Studios in New ... trends now