The BBC has failed to shut down rumours Jodie Whittaker is preparing to quit Doctor Who. 

The actor was the subject of a story in Monday’s Mirror that quoted an unnamed source who said she will be leaving her role as The Doctor in the hit sci-fi series. 

The report claimed that while her departure is still “top secret”, bosses are preparing to film her regeneration into the 14th Doctor in the coming months. 

When the story was put to the BBC, a spokesperson failed to deny the rumours, stating: “We won’t be commenting on any speculation around Jodie’s future on the show.”

Jodie’s potential departure would see her follow co-stars Bradley Walsh and Tosin Cole out of the series. 

The pair made their last appearances as the Doctor’s companions in the special New Year’s Day episode.

Jodie previously said she was “absolutely devastated” over their exits, adding of filming their final scenes: “I’ve not cried like that for such a long time.”

Jodie, Bradley and Tosin joined Doctor Who alongside Mandip Gill in 2017, when Peter Capaldi left his role as the 12th Doctor. 

Last week it was announced that comedian John Bishop would be joining the new series of the long-running show when it returns later this year.

He will play a character called Dan, who “becomes embroiled in the Doctor’s adventures”.

He said: “If I could tell my younger self that one day I would be asked to step on board the Tardis, I would never have believed it.

“It’s an absolute dream come true to be joining Doctor Who and I couldn’t wish for better company than Jodie and Mandip.”

The 13th series of Doctor Who began filming in Cardiff in November last year, and will air for a reduced eight episodes, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.