Peter Capaldi is expected to leave Doctor Who at the end of 2017 so new showrunner Chris Chibnall can 'choose his own Time Lord', according to reports.

The Mirror has reported that Capaldi, who plays the twelfth incarnation of the Time Lord, is likely to leave the BBC sci-fi show when showrunner Steven Moffat steps down.

A BBC source said: "Bosses are already discussing a fresh start when Steven leaves.

"They've been happy with what Peter has brought to the role but some think it might make sense to give Chris his own choice of actor to play the Doctor.

"They hope he will be able to find someone who can have the same impact as Matt Smith did when Steven Moffat kicked off his run as executive producer."

Moffat revealed last week that he will leave the show at the end of 2017 and hand the reigns over to Broadchurch writer Chris Chibnall.

Capaldi has already signed up to appear in the 2017 series.

Announcing his departure, he said: "Feels odd to be talking about leaving when I'm just starting work on the scripts for season 10, but the fact is my timey-wimey is running out.

"While Chris is doing his last run of Broadchurch, I'll be finishing up on the best job in the universe and keeping the Tardis warm for him.

"It took a lot of gin and tonic to talk him into this, but I am beyond delighted that one of the true stars of British television drama will be taking the Time Lord even further into the future.

"At the start of season 11, Chris Chibnall will become the new showrunner of Doctor Who. And I will be thrown in a skip."

Chibnall already has already written a number of episodes for the show, including Dinosaurs on a Spaceship, The Magician's Apprentice and The Power of Three.

He said: "Doctor Who is the ultimate BBC programme: bold, unique, vastly entertaining, and adored all around the world.

"So it's a privilege and a joy to be the next curator of this funny, scary and emotional family drama.

"I've loved Doctor Who since I was four years old, and I'm relishing the thought of working with the exceptional team at BBC Wales to create new characters, creatures and worlds for the Doctor to explore."