Sylvester McCoy has stated that he believes the Doctor should not regenerate as a woman in Doctor Who.

McCoy told The Mirror: “I’m a feminist and recognise there are still glass ceilings in place for many women, but where would we draw the line? A Mr Marple instead of Miss Marple? A Tarzanette?”

The 71-year-old actor explained: “I’m sorry, but no – Doctor Who is a male character, just like James Bond. If they changed it to be politically correct then it would ruin the dynamics between the doctor and the assistant, which is a popular part of the show.”

He added: “I support feminism, but I’m not convinced by the cultural need of a female Doctor Who.”

McCoy played the Seventh Doctor between 1987 and 1996.

Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat revealed last year that the casting of a female Doctor will not be “a political decision.”

The writer commented: “Do you know how it will happen? It will not happen that somebody sits down and says we must turn the Doctor into a woman. That is not how you cast the Doctor. A person will pop into the showrunner’s head and they’ll think. ‘Oh my God, what if it was that person?’ And when that person is a woman, that’s the day it will happen.”

> Buy Season 8 on DVD on Amazon.

> Buy Season 8 on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Season 9 has been filming in Cardiff since January and will begin on BBC One on Saturday 19 September.

> Here’s everything we know about Season 9 so far.

Do you think there should be a female Doctor one day? Let us know below…