Hugh Grant dismisses rumours he will star in 'Doctor Who'

Hugh Grant has laughed off rumours he is in talks to become the new Time Lord in Doctor Who.

A Sunday newspaper reported that the Four Weddings And A Funeral star was in negotiations with the BBC to replace Jodie Whittaker as the Doctor to 'bring a fresh feel' to the role.

But Grant, 61, tweeted: "Nothing against Dr W but I’m not. No idea where the story came from."

It was announced last year that writer Russell T Davies is returning to the role of Doctor Who showrunner.

Grant earned rave reviews for his appearance in BBC drama A Very English Scandal, also written by Davies. He briefly played the Doctor in Doctor Who: The Curse of Fatal Death — a Comic Relief sketch which aired during the 1999 telethon — written by future Who showrunner Steven Moffat.

Read more: Danny Dyer confirmed to be leaving 'EastEnders' sparking 'Doctor Who' speculation

He later revealed that he'd been offered the chance to play the Timelord in the BBC's 2005 revival, but turned it down, paving the way for Christopher Eccleston to play the Ninth Doctor.

After being linked with a villain role in the show in 2007, he told Digital Spy: "I was offered the role of the Doctor a few years back and was highly flattered. The danger with those things is that it's only when you see it on screen that you think, 'Damn, that was good, why did I say no?' But then, knowing me, I'd probably make a mess of it.

"I'm in talks about a one-off role. I'd prefer to be a baddie. They're always more fun."

Whittaker, 39, confirmed last year that she is to step down as the 13th incarnation of The Doctor in the long-running BBC series.

There has since been much speculation as to who will replace her as the next Time Lord.

It's A Sin star and Years & Years frontman Olly Alexander has also spoken out to deny he is being lined-up for the hit sci fi show.

And after Danny Dyer announced he is leaving EastEnders, Dyer fans were quick to ignite rumours he could be the next Doctor to be handed the keys to the TARDIS.

Read more: Olly Alexander issues fan-tastic response to rumours he will be next 'Doctor Who'

Dyer — who hosted BBC documentary I Believe In UFOs in 2010 — is a known sci fi fan who revealed he had built a life-size model of Star Wars character Yoda out of Lego during the first lockdown.

Whittaker was the first full time female Doctor in the show, which launched in 1963.

She took over from The Thick Of It actor Peter Capaldi in 2018.

In series 12, Holby City star Jo Martin appeared as Ruth — who revealed herself to be a previously unseen regeneration of the Doctor — the first time the role has been played by a black person.

Doctor Who star Pearl Mackie has said she wants to see the next Time Lord portrayed as non-binary.

Watch: Hugh Grant looks back at his film career