New Doctor Who Ncuti Gatwa thanks Jodie Whittaker and David Tennant for 'beautiful words of support'

Ncuti Gatwa has thanked Jodie Whittaker and David Tennant for their "beautiful words of support" after he was unveiled as the 14th Doctor Who.

The 'Sex Education' star has bagged the role of the titular Time Lord on the iconic BBC sci-fi series 'Doctor Who' and is set to replace Jodie when she bows out later this year.

And it's not just his immediate predecessor who has provided him with "encouragement", with 10th Doctor, David, getting behind the 29-year-old star.

Ncuti wrote on Instagram: "There are a lot of thank you’s in this caption so please excuse the cringe. But mans feeling hella grateful at the moment….

"Thank you @bafta for continually supporting and recognising the @sexeducation family and myself. 3rd nomination in a row feels very mad."

He added: "The Doctor herself, Jodie Whittaker and Mr David Tennant for your beautiful words of support and encouragement on BAFTA day. I was absolutely cacking my pants and honestly speaking to you two was priceless."

He went on to thank returning showrunner, Russel T. Davies, for taking a chance on him, and admitted he's been left "stunned and speechless" by everyone's warm reception to the news.

He added: "The Doctor Who fam: Russell, all the producers and the wonderful fans have been so gracious and welcoming. I am stunned and speechless at the support."

Ncuti will make history as the first black actor to take charge of the Tardis, and he has insisted he wants to be "himself" as Doctor Who.

Asked what he will bring to the role, he said: "Just myself, I think actors are incredible people that put so much of themselves into roles and so each one is going to be really different. Each Doctor that’s gone before has been so incredibly talented and so incredibly brilliant, I don’t know how I’m going to follow in their footsteps but I’m going to try my best."