Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge favourite to become first female Doctor Who

Phoebe Waller-Bridge is the brand new favourite to take over from Peter Capaldi in Doctor Who.

Odds on the award-winning Fleabag creator and star becoming the first female Doctor have dramatically fallen in the last 24 hours after a flurry of bets.

According to Betway, odds on the British star have plummeted from 20/1 to just 2/1 in the space of one day.

“Phoebe Waller-Bridge is all the rage with the punters at the moment,” said Betway’s Alan Alger.

“Her odds of being the next Doctor Who have collapsed from 20/1 to 2/1 since Monday morning and we’re on red alert, keeping an eye out for any more telling bets.”

Coral now have the actress at 10-11 to play the role, pushing former favourite Kris Marshall into second place at 9-4.

“The sudden surge of bets for a female Time Lord suggests the decision-makers are now firmly leaning towards a change of gender for the role even if they haven’t decided which specific individual will get it,” said Coral spokesman, John Hill.

Stars who also still seem to be in the running include David Harewood, who is at 6/1, Tilda Swinton at 7/1 and Andrew Buchan, who is at 10/1.

Other female Doctors thought to be up for the role include Olivia Colman and Maxine Peake.

Waller-Bridge might not have time to fit the iconic television role into her busy schedule as she is rumoured to be starring in the forthcoming Han Solo film.