Kris Marshall and the BBC have remained silent amid reports that the actor is set to star as the next Doctor in Doctor Who. But as the rumours persist, fans have been taking to Twitter to share their opinion on whether Kris, who quit Death in Paradise earlier this year, would be fit to play the next Time Lord. Some viewers showed their support for the My Family star, with one tweeting: "Would be so happy with Kris Marshall as Doctor Who!!!" Another wrote: "If Kris Marshall is the new doctor I'm absolutely fine with that... he's been a star in the making for too long." A third posted: "Love Kris Marshall! Never seen #DoctorWho but will definitely be watching it now..!"
However, the reported new casting didn't go down too well with some viewers, and Kris's fans. One Twitter user responded by writing: "Genuinely wouldn't mind Kris Marshall as the 13th Doctor. But here's a thread of actors I'd like to take up the mantle at some point..." Another tweeted: "I actually quite like Kris Marshall but if he is the new Dr Who then the next series will be the last for a while, I reckon." But addressing some of the negativity, one fan wrote: "Reading all the neg comments about Kris Marshall being the next Doctor. Remembering the same comments about 9, 10, 11 and 12 #givehimago."
Kris Marshall is rumoured to be playing the new Doctor
Pearl Mackie on playing Doctor Who's first openly gay companion
Twitter reactions flooded in after The Mirror reported that Kris, 44, has been hired to replace Peter Capaldi as the new Doctor. It comes after bookies took bets on whether the new Doctor would be a woman, notably Tilda Swinton or Olivia Colman. A source said: "Kris Marshall has already joined the cast and will regenerate at the end of this series, not in the Christmas special. They won't risk a woman Doctor. They want a David Tennant type."
Peter Capaldi with his new companion Pearl Mackie
Bookmakers have also suspended betting following a rush from punters. A William Hill spokesperson said: "Kris Marshall was well supported when it was announced that he was stepping down from Death in Paradise but he has been quiet in the last fortnight. The BBC has done well to keep it quiet and we will not be paying out until he/she is officially unveiled."