
As expected, bookmakers have begun the process of offering odds on who will take on the role of the Doctor after
Matt Smith hangs up his bow-tie at Christmas.
Early Sunday morning forecasts from
William Hill placed the former Midshipman Frame
Russell Tovey and
Harry Potter star
Rupert Grint as initial favourites at 10-1, with
Hobbit and
Sherlock star
Martin Freeman next at 12-1. As one might expect the usual suspects were also present, with stars such as
David Morrissey at 16-1,
Paterson Joseph at 20-1, plus
Alan Davies and
James Nesbitt at 25-1. The favourite female contender was
Billie Piper at 16-1, followed by
Tilda Swinton at 20-1, and both 2013 BAFTA multi-award winner
Olivia Colman and
Jonathan Creek co-star (and audio 8th Doctor companion)
Sheridan Smith at 25-1. More eccentric choices included footballer
David Beckham, reality talent producer
Simon Cowell and actor
Tom Cruise at 250-1, plus footballer
John Terry at 500-1.
Meanwhile
Sky-Bet offered up a similar selection. Their top names included
Damien Molony at 8-1,
David Harewood,
James Frain and
Russell Tovey at 10-1, and others such as
Rupert Grint,
Olivia Coleman and
Merlin star
Colin Morgan at 20-1,
Miranda Hart at 40-1,
Patterson Joseph at 50-1, plus the return of
David Tennant at 33-1! Also to be found on their list was
Sherlock aka
Benedict Cumberbatch at 40-1.
By Sunday evening, however, there was a clear leader in the form of
Law & Order UK star
Ben Daniels, appearing as favourite for
Sky-Bet,
Paddy Power, and
Coral at 6-1, and with
Betfair at 37-19. Other popular names included
Chiwetel Ejiofor (Sky-Bet/Coral/Paddy-Power at 8-1),
Russell Tovey (Coral at 8-1, Paddy-Power at 9-1, Sky-Bet/Betfair/William Hill's favourite at 10-1), and
Skyfall's
Rory Kinnear (Betfair at 41/9, Sky-Bet at 9-1, Paddy-Power at 11-1, Coral/William Hill at 12-1).
For a female acquisition of the TARDIS, William Hill offered 8-1 on this likelihood, with individual favourites being
Billie Piper (William Hill, 16-1),
Olivia Colman (Coral, 14-1, Paddy-Power, 20-1),
Helen Mirren (Betfair, 27-1), and
Miranda Hart (Sky-Bet, 50-1).
Whether additional contenders will challenge the current favourites remains to be seen as the week progresses.