Doctor Who's new assistant is unveiled

Producers have revealed a little-known 21-year-old actress Karen Gillan will be the new Doctor's assistant.

BBC News reports that Karen, who had a small part in the 2008 series, will star alongside new Time Lord Matt Smith in the next series, to be broadcast next year.

Karen said: "I am absolutely over the moon at being chosen to play the Doctor's new companion. - I just can't wait to get started. The show is such a massive phenomenon that I can't quite believe I am going to be a part of it.

"Matt Smith is an incredible actor and it is going to be so much fun to act alongside him."

Writer and executive producer Steven Moffat said when Karen walked through the auditions door, they 'knew the game was up'.

"When she auditioned alongside Matt we knew we had something special," he said.

He described her as 'funny, and clever, and gorgeous, and sexy.

"A generation of little girls will want to be her. And a generation of little boys will want them to be her too."

It is Scots-born Karen's first major role, although she has appeared in Channel 4's The Kevin Bishop Show as well as Doctor Who.