Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi says he will watch himself playing the Time Lord this Christmas -- as it's a family tradition.

The actor will take to our screens to play the titular character in the popular series for the first time in a year.

It has long been a tradition for the 58-year-old and his family - daughter Cecily, 23, and his wife Elaine Collins - to watch the sci-fi show.

But this year he admits that he will be watching the Christmas special from "behind the sofa".

The Doctor will be joined by the returning Nardole, played by Matt Lucas, and investigative reporter Lucy, Charity Wakefield, to try and save Manhattan.

Capaldi says that the new episode of Doctor Who will have a new lighter tone which will embrace the show's camp side.

He said: "I've always watched it, from before I was the Doctor. I'd watch it with my daughter, and it became part of our Christmas Day.

"Little did I know I was going to be playing that role - and now I have to watch it. I'd be depriving the family of one of the cornerstones of the day if I didn't.

"It reminds me rather of the early Superman movies with Christopher Reeve.

"They had a great mix of irony and fun, thrills and chills, which on reflection is, in a way, how Doctor Who is.

"It has a very festive feel about it, without it being incredibly snowy and Bing Crosby-ish."

The long-running BBC series is in the midst of filming its 10th series since returning in 2005 following a gap of 16 years.

It will feature a brand new companion for the Doctor after Clara, played by Victoria star Jenna Coleman, departed the show last year.

The new adventures featuring Pearl Mackie as Bill Potts are due to hit our screens in 2017.

The show is known for its passionate and loyal fan base, and Capaldi makes no secret that many of the enthusiasts know more about Doctor Who than he does.

He said: "The gap we had was more substantial than we normally have. I'm aware people are keen to see more, which is always nice to know.

"I always loved the show, was a big fan of it, but I was never, shall we say, of the trainspottery variety.

"I didn't care about how accurate it is to the canon or whatever. It was irrelevant to me, even more so now.

"The thing about the show is it's been going for over 50 years, but every episode is episode one, really.

"You can join it at any time. It's not an exclusive club for people who are spending too long looking at old VHS tapes and DVDs. It's a living, breathing show of today."

Steven Moffat, lead writer and executive producer, has already announced series 10 is his last and there are rumours hat fellow-Scot Capaldi will follow suit.

Mr Capaldi added: "I've been asked to stay on and I haven't made my mind up about that yet, mainly because I don't want to have to make that decision.

"I'm trying to avoid it. Doctor Who does take a lot of time, but it's a wonderful use of it.

"It's special. I'm lucky enough to be in touch with other Doctors, and we all agree how extraordinary it is to be in this position.

"To decide to leave is a tough decision for everybody. [It was] very tough for Steven, so I'm just putting it off for as long as possible."