3:52pm UK, Thursday October 02, 2003

Eddie Izzard is to be the new Dr Who, according to former Time Lord Tom Baker.Baker named the cross-dressing comic as the star of the new BBC series which returns to TV screens in 2005.

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Comic Eddie Izzard

BBC bosses have made no official comment about the identity of the actor who will play the role.

But in a radio interview, Baker claimed Izzard had landed the part.

Asked what the comic would bring to the role, he said: "He has an alien quality. Eddie Izzard is so mysterious and strange.

"He seems like he has lots of secrets. You always feel Eddie Izzard knows something you don't, or has been somewhere you haven't been."

He said he believed the transvestite actor and comedian would wear the Doctor's outfits with flair.

"I like the way he dresses. He could probably do his own wardrobe," said Baker, who played the role between 1974 and 1981.

The much-loved sci-fi series is coming back for a new series with a script by Queer As Folk creator Russell T Davies.

Jonathan Creek star Alan Davies and Richard E Grant are the bookies' favourites to take the role.

A BBC spokeswoman said Baker's comments were "speculation" and said no final decision had been made.