The 12th Doctor will be revealed this weekend, the BBC have announced, on a special live broadcast.
 The special program will be shown on Sunday (4th August) at 7pm BST on BBC1 and be called Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor.

Currently, Celebrity Mastermind sits in this slot, but it is a repeat and therefore the BBC can easily dispose of it to make way for the special.

The special, code-named Whodini, is to be presented by Zoe Ball in front of a live audience. It will feature past Doctors and companions, including Matt Smith. Steven Moffat would also make an appearance.

Executive producer Steven Moffat said: ‘The decision is made and the time has come to reveal who’s taking over the TARDIS. For the last of the Time Lords, the clock is striking twelve.’

Charlotte Moore, Controller BBC One said: ‘BBC One is the home of big live events and this special live show is the perfect way to reveal the identity of the next Doctor and share it with the nation. The Doctor is a truly iconic role and I’m more than excited about the booking.’

Ben Stephenson, Controller of BBC Drama Commissioning meanwhile, revealed how they have been using the codename Houdini for the actor: ‘We can’t wait to unveil the next Doctor with everyone live on BBC1 on Sunday night. Amongst all the speculation and betting, there has been lots of fun and intrigue at work as we’ve been using the codename Houdini as a decoy! It’s the biggest secret in showbiz, even those working with the new Doctor on other projects at the moment have no idea they are in the presence of the 12th incarnation.’

People may also remember the BBC "pilot" show that they announced, where they invited Doctor Who fans to dress up and be apart of the audience. Recording of this takes place on the same dayat the same time! Combine this with the fact that there was very little notice for this new adventure, would mean to say that they planned this to happen.

It will also be simulcast on BBC America at the same time.

Could this tie in with the rumours that Peter Capaldi becoming the new Doctor, or was this just a smokescreen to put us off (or on)?


BBC America's media alert is as follows:

DOCTOR WHO LIVE: THE NEXT DOCTOR SPECIAL TO AIR LIVE THIS SUNDAY ON BBC AMERICA

What: 
The next Doctor of BBC AMERICA’s hit series Doctor Who will be announced during a live special this Sunday afternoon.

When: 
Sunday, August 4, 2 pm ET LIVE on BBC AMERICA and BBC One in the U.K.

Who: 
Widely regarded as one of the most hotly contested roles in British television, the special’s host Zoe Ball will unveil the Twelfth Doctor in their first-ever interview in front of a live studio audience. The half-hour show will include live special guests, Doctors old and new, as well as companions and celebrity fans. Current Doctor Matt Smith and lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat will both give interviews in the special.

Steven Moffat says: “The decision is made and the time has come to reveal who’s taking over the TARDIS. For the last of the Time Lords, the clock is striking twelve.”

Matt Smith will make his penultimate appearance in the 50th Anniversary special on Saturday, November 23, and his Eleventh Doctor will regenerate in the Christmas Special. Doctor Who is produced by BBC Cymru Wales.