Catherine Zeta-Jones for Doctor Who

Doctor Who producers want Catherine Zeta-Jones to become first female Timelord

Doctor Who producers want Catherine Zeta-Jones to become the first female Timelord.

With David Tennant about to make his final run of appearances, the show's writer and producer, Russell T Davies, says he's hoping to lure Zeta-Jones back from Hollywood to take his place.

'Catherine Zeta-Jones would be great,' Davies told reporters this week, sending Doctor Who fans into meltdown at the thought of an Oscar-winner in the role.

Why Catherine? Well, she has her 'Welsh heritage' going for her, apparently, although we can't help thinking her famous sex appeal was the real clincher.

Although Joanna Lumley was once tipped to become the first female Doctor back in the Eighties, the role has remained exclusively male since it began in 1963.

Davies warns if Catherine does decide to take him up on his offer, she'll have her work cut out.

'Whoever becomes the Doctor has to take on a whole life, it's not just taking part in a TV show. It's a lot of soul-searching to do,' he said.

Incumbent Timelord David Tennant will appear in the Doctor Who Christmas Day special, called, intriguingly, The Next Doctor, and four special episodes during 2009, however, he has not signed up for the full fifth series, which is due to air in 2010.

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