The Sun and The Guardian both report that James Nesbitt, star of Cold Feet and Jekyll, may become the next Doctor Who when David Tennant leaves at the end of Doctor Who's fifth season. The 42 year old would be the first Irish Doctor Who.

Apparently James Nesbitt is a good friend of Doctor Who writer Steven Moffat, who may replace Head Writer Russell T. Davies.

Like Tennant, Davies also leaves the show at the end of Season 5. Steven Moffat created both Cold Feet and Jekyll.

It's only a rumour at this stage, but it's a good choice if true. While I like David Tennant, lately the episodes have become more and more flippant. If his past acting work is anything to go by, Nesbitt would give the show a darker, more eccentric edge.

In the last show of the current series of The Graham Norton Show, James Nesbitt was told that bookies are offering odds of 6-1 on him being the next Doctor Who.

"I know nothing about that," he told Graham. "I wouldn't put a lot of money on it."

He also added "I would find it very hard to follow David Tennant [but] my daughters would worship me forever because they're obsessed by it".

According to the BBC's official website, Doctor Who will return with three specials starring David Tennant in 2009. The full length fifth series will be transmitted in 2010.

UPDATE!
The new Doctor Who is 26-year-old Matt Smith