New Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi has revealed that he is not concerned by criticisms about his age.

The Scottish actor was 55 years old when he began filming earlier this year – the same age as William Hartnell was when he started playing the First Doctor in 1963.

Capaldi told the BBC: “I think too much is made of my age, who cares? Doctor Who is over 2000 years old…”

He commented: “I think you learn to pace yourself and you recognise the dangers. Everybody counselled me about how physical the role is, but that’s great! It’s like exercise, you don’t have to go to the gym. You just come and play Doctor Who and run up and down corridors being chased by monsters, and run away from explosions.”

He added: “It keeps you fit, but obviously when you’ve been around the block a little bit like I have, you can actually say ‘I’m not running over that thing over there, that looks too dangerous.’ You can pace yourself more, and that’s what I’ve done. So touch wood we’re nearly there, and I’m surrounded by a great team who look after me.”

Series 8 begins on Saturday 23 August on BBC One with ‘Deep Breath’.

> Here’s everything we know so far about Series 8.

What are your hopes for Peter Capaldi’s Doctor? Let us know below…