As it’s now past midday in the UK, it’s time to come clean by saying… April Fool’s Day!

If you hadn’t guessed already, Zayn Malik won’t be joining the new series of Doctor Who after all. The ‘announcement’ that the former 1D member will be replacing Jenna Coleman as the Doctor’s next companion was our April Fool’s prank for this year, and we hope you all enjoyed it.

It definitely created a stir on Twitter, though. Here are some of our favourite reactions!

@WhovianNet haha! The 1D crowd will be hunting you down!

— Guy (@SohoGuy) March 31, 2015

why would zayn malik go on doctor who lmao — stevetony rija (@616STEVETONY) March 31, 2015

@WhovianNet @londonjustin I knew this was the only direction he was going in. — Matt Erren (@Lumpy_Matt) April 1, 2015

@WhovianNet … For a second, I had a heart attack. Then I realised it’s April 1st.

— TylerHatch (@Hatch_Milly_200) April 1, 2015

@WhovianNet @RaggedyFanStore I have a feeling this might be an April Fool’s joke. But then again, I’m really not sure what to think. — Alyssa (@Acoustic_Alyssa) April 1, 2015

@WhovianNet why do you torture me this way i forgot tomorrow is april 1st for a second

— al (prongs) ☀ (@DontGoBilbo) April 1, 2015

I know this is probably fake but I would LOVE to see this! #doctorwho @zaynmalik http://t.co/yZLaCfreTw — melissa :) (@hustler4life_) April 1, 2015

@WhovianNet This news is as serious as the Myrka is convincing.

— Jay Barry (@JbmastaWa) March 31, 2015

i’m personally offended by this only bc it would actually be cute omg http://t.co/IPqIRAMMsw — Fatima Bilal (@FatimaBilal2) March 31, 2015

@WhovianNet APRIL FOOL. Please.

— Marian Weaver (@crazyjane13) March 31, 2015

Who knows? One day we might actually get to meet Henry Joseph the university student…

The BBC has today confirmed that Zayn Malik will be joining Doctor Who as the show’s latest companion when Jenna Coleman leaves halfway through the next series.

The singer, who rose to international fame on the UK X Factor after being hand picked to join boy band One Direction, will be introduced as the Twelfth Doctor’s new sidekick in Episode 7 of Series 9 which will also feature Clara’s departure.

Malik will play Henry Joseph, a university student who puts his geography degree on hold to explore the universe.

“I am ridiculously excited to be making my official acting debut in Doctor Who,” Zayn said. “I left One Direction to try new things but I never imagined that it would involve travelling through time and space with Peter Capaldi himself. I literally cannot wait to get started…”

Further details about Zayn’s introduction have yet to be revealed but Steven Moffat has promised that it will be one of the most memorable companion debuts to date. He said: “If the Doctor thought he had his hands full with Clara Oswald, just you wait until he meets Henry Joseph! There’s only one direction – *ahem* – for him when he sees the TARDIS for the first time. We’re thrilled to be able to show the world that Zayn can do more than sing.”

So, what do you think of the news? Are you happy that Doctor Who has enlisted a full time male co-star? Share your initial reaction to Zayn’s casting in the comments section below…

Series 9 is being filmed in Cardiff and it is expected to air in the autumn. Earlier this week Game of Thrones actress Maisie Williams was confirmed as one of its guest stars in a role that will “challenge the Doctor in unexpected ways”. More casting news is expected shortly.

UPDATE: April Fool’s! Yep, if you hadn’t guessed already, this was our April Fool’s Day prank for this year. Zayn won’t be the new companion, and Jenna Coleman isn’t leaving (as far as we know). We hope you enjoyed the prank! Check out some of your reactions to the ‘news’ here.

The Doctor returns in The Magician’s Apprentice… Click HERE for the latest news!