Matt Smith to stay on 'Who' until 2013?

Matt Smith will continue to star in Doctor Who until the show's 50th anniversary in 2013, according to reports.

The Daily Express claims that BBC bosses are keen to hold on to the actor for as long as possible.

A source allegedly said: "The current team believe that Matt is the person to continue taking the show forward over the next few years and want to avoid the prospect of fans having to get used to yet another actor in the role in the near future."

The insider is also said to have confirmed that Smith has no plans to leave the role.

"Matt has made it clear he's keen to commit himself to the series for the long-term," they claimed.

However, a BBC spokeswoman apparently denied that casting had been finalised so far in advance.

"From Matt’s point of view he's loving playing the part and has no plans to quit," she confirmed. [However], we aren’t in a position to provide a comment as to whether he'll be playing the part in 2013."

Smith will reprise the role in the forthcoming Doctor Who Christmas special.