We all knew this sad day would eventually come, but Matt Smith has announced that he will be leaving Doctor Who at the end of the year. This shocking news means that Matt only has two episodes left, the 50th Anniversary Special in November, and the Christmas Special a month later; the BBC have confirmed that his final apperance will be the 2013 Christmas Special.

Matt Smith says:

“Doctor Who has been the most brilliant experience for me as an actor and a bloke, and that largely is down to the cast, crew and fans of the show. I’m incredibly grateful to all the cast and crew who work tirelessly every day, to realise all the elements of the show and deliver Doctor Who to the audience. Many of them have become good friends and I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the last four years.

Having Steven Moffat as show runner write such varied, funny, mind bending and brilliant scripts has been one of the greatest and most rewarding challenges of my career. It’s been a privilege and a treat to work with Steven, he’s a good friend and will continue to shape a brilliant world for the Doctor.

The fans of Doctor Who around the world are unlike any other; they dress up, shout louder, know more about the history of the show (and speculate more about the future of the show) in a way that I’ve never seen before, your dedication is truly remarkable. Thank you so very much for supporting my incarnation of the Time Lord, number Eleven, who I might add is not done yet, I’m back for the 50th anniversary and the Christmas special!

It’s been an honour to play this part, to follow the legacy of brilliant actors, and helm the TARDIS for a spell with ‘the ginger, the nose and the impossible one’. But when ya gotta go, ya gotta go and Trenzalore calls. Thank you guys. Matt.”

Steven Moffat, Lead Writer and Executive Producer, released the following statement:

“Every day, on every episode, in every set of rushes, Matt Smith surprised me: the way he’d turn a line, or spin on his heels, or make something funny, or out of nowhere make me cry, I just never knew what was coming next. The Doctor can be clown and hero, often at the same time, and Matt rose to both challenges magnificently. And even better than that, given the pressures of this extraordinary show, he is one of the nicest and hardest-working people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Whatever we threw at him -- sometimes literally -- his behaviour was always worthy of the Doctor.

But great actors always know when it’s time for the curtain call, so this Christmas prepare for your hearts to break, as we say goodbye to number Eleven. Thank you Matt -- bow ties were never cooler.

Of course, this isn’t the end of the story, because now the search begins. Somewhere out there right now -- all unknowing, just going about their business -- is someone who’s about to become the Doctor. A life is going to change, and Doctor Who will be born all over again! After 50 years, that’s still so exciting!”

This news, while shocking, is not completey unexpected, as there have been rumours about Matt's departure flying around for ages. So, while we prepare to say goodbye to the man who gave us the best Doctor of the New Series, and arguably the best Doctor of all time, just remember that sometime in the next few months, someone else will become the Doctor. And, like Steven Moffat said in his statement, that is so exciting!

Goodbye, Matt. Everyone here at ABC Whovians wishes you all the best for your acting career in the future!

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