Doctor Who producer Steven Moffat said he had hoped leading star Peter Capaldi would not have joined him in leaving the series.

This year’s Doctor Who is the final series to feature Capaldi in the title role and also the last to be overseen by Moffat, who has been in charge since 2010.

Women in Film & TV Awards 2016
Steven Moffat and Sue Vertue arrive at the Women in Film & TV Awards (PA)

The executive producer and Sherlock writer also said his decision to stand down as the showrunner was because “it’s (the show) very dominant and I want to try something else.”

Speaking to Chris Evans on his Radio 2 breakfast show, Moffat said: “I was kind of hoping he would stay on because there’s only so much emotional trauma you can bear. I’ve had three versions of my childhood hero hand in their resignations to me and there’s no specific therapy for that, that’s really quite difficult.”

Showcase gala for BBC Worldwide
Steven Moffat (left) and Mark Gatiss attend the showcase gala for BBC Worldwide (PA)

He added jokingly: “It’s like Santa Claus quitting in front you, no stop!”.

Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall will take over as the new boss of Doctor Who.

The current series, the 10th since the show returned in 2005, made headlines when it returned with news that the Doctor’s new sidekick was the programme’s first openly gay permanent companion.

Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition Preview Party 2017 – London
Pearl Mackie arriving for Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition Preview Party (Matt Crossick/PA)

Pearl Mackie took over from Jenna Coleman to play new sidekick Bill Potts.

Potts is the first clearly defined gay character in the programme’s history.

The penultimate episode ended on a cliffhanger as viewers saw Potts turned into a cyberwoman.

Doctor Who
BBC handout photo of Peter Capaldi as the Doctor and his new companion Pearl Mackie as Bill Potts (BBC)

Capaldi’s successor has not yet been announced, but Death In Paradise star Kris Marshall has emerged as the bookies’ favourite to be the new Doctor.

Fans of the TV series have also championed having a female Time Lord.

:: Doctor Who’s final episode of the series airs on BBC One on Saturday at 6.45pm.