Karen Gillan: 'I'm in love with Amy Pond'

Karen Gillan has said that she is "in love" with her Doctor Who character Amy Pond.

The 22-year-old actress stars as the new companion opposite Matt Smith's Doctor in the upcoming series, which premieres on April 3 at 6.25pm on BBC One.

Gillan told The Observer: "It's been an education in itself to work with Matt, who's so endlessly inventive, bringing something new to it every day rather than falling into the easy default scared-face.

"That's one of the challenges. You're faced with life-threatening situations every episode, but you can't just widen your eyes all the time."

She continued: "Yes, this Doctor is pretty good. As, I've said, is Amy, and she gets to wear all these small skirts, which I will admit was very cold, but also very cool.

"They originally wanted to put me in trousers, but I did say I'd like to wear a skirt because - you'll understand when you watch it. Actually I think I love Amy. I'm in love with her. I want to be her."

Gillan added: "Amy's a sassy lady, funny and passionate, and her relationship with The Doctor has a really interesting dynamic. She has a love for him, a really deep love for him. But not romantic."