McCoy: 'Sachs should be new Doctor'

Sylvester McCoy has suggested that Andrew Sachs replace David Tennant in Doctor Who.

McCoy, 65, who played The Doctor between 1987 and 1989, also proposed that Sachs's granddaughter Georgina Baillie be given a role as his assistant.

Speaking on GMTV, he said: "I think the BBC should put their money where their mouth is and give the job to Andrew Sachs.

"Because the very first Doctor was an older man - and he came down to Earth with his granddaughter, Sarah Jane.

"So there's Andrew Sachs and his granddaughter - the BBC could give them a nice, good acting role, and a good paycheque."

Tennant confirmed at yesterday's National Television Awards that he will leave the show at the end of 2009.

Speaking about his departure, McCoy commented: "I'm not really surprised, he did three great years, and with his huge success at the Royal Shakespeare Company playing Hamlet, it seems like a sensible thing to do."