Karen Gillan has admitted that working on Doctor Who has given her the best years of her life so far.

The actress is to leave her role as Amy, but has noted that the time is right for her to depart, because her character’s story has now reached its “natural end”.

Speaking at the National Television Awards, where she won the title of Best Female Drama Peformance, she said: “There is a huge part of me that is so, so sad to be leaving.”

She continued: “I don’t regret it, but I can honestly say from the bottom of my heart that I’ve had the best years of my life on this show. I don’t know if I’ll ever have this much fun again. But things to come an end and it’s time to move on to other things.”

Matt Smith also reflected on Karen’s exit, but confirmed that he has no plans to leave himself. “I’m here for the future,” he said. “I love making it. I have no plans to leave.”

Filming for Series 7 – described as “the biggest series ever” – begins next month.

It’s been a week of triumph for Doctor Who, with both of its stars reigning supreme at the National Television Awards on Wednesday night!

Matt Smith’s portrayal of the Doctor was named as the Best Drama Peformance (Male), with the actor describing it as “a marvellous honour” to win as he went up and accepted his award. He also thanked the crew and fans for their ongoing support. Meanwhile, Karen’s role as Amy earned her the title of Best Drama Peformance (Female) too!

“This just means so much to me, and I am terrified right now,” she said in her speech.

Unfortunately, though, Doctor Who lost out to Downton Abbey for Most Popular Drama…

Matt Smith’s been interviewed on One Plus One in Australia this week, and during the interview he reveals that he feels “privileged” to be part of the ongoing Doctor Who legacy.

“To think there’s been 10 wonderful actors who have played the same part before me, it’s glorious,” he said. He has also responded to the rumours that “multiple episodes” of the next series are to be filmed down under, saying: “I’d love to film in Australia. You could have sand monsters out of the Outback, or giant, mutated spiders in the desert.”

He continued: “There’s an interesting relationship for Doctor Who in Australia. It’s followed the show for 40 years, and we’re very pleased to have that following here.”

He finishes the interview by summing up the role and discussing his plans for the future beyond the TARDIS. “It is a wonderful job. I wouldn’t change it for the world,” he said. “Beyond it, I’d quite like to direct. I’d love to do a play, and maybe have a film career. At the moment my focus is on Doctor Who’s big year leading up to its 50th anniversary.”

Matt will be back in Cardiff soon to start filming Series 7, “the biggest series ever”.

It’s been confirmed that the Script to Screen competition will be returning to coincide with the London Olympics!

Once again, school children aged 9-11 have been invited to write a mini-episode featuring “the Doctor in an Olympic-themed adventure”. It can include Amy and Rory, a new human character, and one of four familiar alien species.

The winning script will be produced by the Doctor Who team in Cardiff, to be broadcast on the BBC later in the year.

Details will follow when Matt Smith appears on tomorrow’s Blue Peter (CBBC, 5.45pm).

Last year, a school in Basingstoke wrote the winning script, Death Is The Only Answer.

Matt Smith appeared on BBC Radio 1 earlier today, briefly discussing what’s coming up for the Doctor, with filming for Series 7 due to begin next month.

He revealed that “there’s a long way to go” before he’ll need to contemplate his future in the role. “We have got another year to do, and then who knows what after that,” he said. “It has got to get better. That’s the key. It has to be better each year.” When asked if he watches new episodes as they air, he joked: “I’m far too vain not to!”

What’s around the corner? Keep up to date with the new series developments!

That’s right, it’s that time of year again! The shortlist for the 2012 National Television Awards has been revealed, so it’s time, once again, for Whovians to unite!

Doctor Who has been nominated for Most Popular Drama alongside Downton Abbey, Merlin and Waterloo Road, while it’s the Doctor vs. Jack for Male Drama Performance, as Matt Smith goes head to head with John Barrowman, as well as Martin Clunes and David Threlfall. Similarly, Karen Gillan and Eve Myles are up for Female Drama Peformance…

The Doctor Who and Torchwood actresses face competition from other nominees, Jaye Jacobs and Suranne Jones. Suranne appeared as Idris in The Doctor’s Wife last year.

Voting is NOW OPEN, and the results will be revealed live on ITV1 on 25th January…

Matt Smith recently spoke to the Evening Standard about what his perfect Christmas would entail.

“I would spend it somewhere warm, like South America, and have a barbecue on the beach,” he said.

About the best Christmas gift he’s ever had, he revealed: “A snooker table, although my SEGA Mega Drive comes close. I also used to love getting pyjamas and then wearing them all day.”

This Christmas Day he’ll be “…eating lots, and watching TV and football on Boxing Day”!

So, what would be YOUR perfect Christmas? What’s the best present you’ve ever had…?

BBC Worldwide have today released details of a new range of Doctor Who games for Playstation and PC!

The first game, entitled The Eternity Clock, is to be released in 2012, promising to “immerse gamers in the universe of Doctor Who” as they “take on the roles of the Doctor and River Song” in order “to master the complexities of time with exceptional game play”. Two further games will be available, and all of them will boast photo-real graphics alongside TV quality scenes and highly realistic characters.

The games – developed by Supermassive Games – will be available on Playstation 3 ®; Playstation Vita ® and PC platforms. EVP of Digital Entertainment at BBC Worldwide, Robert Nashak, commented: “We are creating these games for Playstation 3 and Vita, with adaptations that will bring the Doctor Who wonder and madness to each platform.”

You can see a teaser for the first game below, and follow its official Twitter for news!

What do you think of the news? Do the games excite you? Let us know in the comments!

Matt Smith has revealed that he was “really sorry” when he heard that Doctor Who Confidential had been axed.

In a new interview with What’s On TV about the Christmas Special, the actor described the programme’s cancellation as “a pity”, explaining: “I think it was a show that could reinvent itself year on year. It’s one of the biggest shows on BBC3. I guess people come in and have new ideas and want to have their own fresh take on it but, hey, some you win, some you lose.” Its last episode aired in October.

Looking to the future, he said that 2012 will be “a busy year” as filming begins for Series 7. “I’ve just heard the pitch from Steven Moffat,” he teased. “Amazing. Very exciting!” It is rumoured that “multiple episodes” of next year’s series will be filmed in Australia.

The Doctor, The Widow and The Wardrobe airs Christmas Day at 7pm on BBC One.

The BBC’s released the official press pack for The Doctor, The Widow and The Wardrobe, in which there are new cast interviews as well as an introduction from Steven Moffat:

“The Doctor at Christmas – it always just feels so right. When I was a kid, Santa and the Doctor somehow lived in the same place in my head – two generous madmen that I loved so much. So now that the Doctor is a regular feature of Christmas the world is just that bit more right.”

Meanwhile, Matt Smith describes this year’s Christmas adventure as “…a brilliant and touching story”, and its guest star Claire Skinner, who plays Madge Arwell, says her time filming was “…a really nice experience”. In the role of Reg Arwel is Alexander Armstrong, who said: “Matt’s a tremendously fine fellow and excellent to hang out with”.

Elsewhere, clips from the episode are included in BBC One’s Christmas Drama trailer…

The Doctor, The Widow and The Wardrobe airs on BBC One on Christmas Day at 7pm.