The lead role in Doctor Who was offered to a black actor who turned it down, one of the show's writers has said.
Fantasy writer Neil Gaiman - who has scripted editions of the BBC1 show - said he still hoped a non-white star would take the role one day.
He made the revelation on his blog shortly after Glasgow-born Peter Capaldi was announced as the next regeneration of the Time Lord, but said it felt like a "missed opportunity".
"Would I like a person of colour as the Doctor? Absolutely," he said. "I have no doubt there will be. I know one black actor who was offered the part, and who turned it down."
Gaiman said the black actor did not turn down the part in the latest round of casting, but it dated back to an earlier point.
The programme's executive producer Steven Moffat said he only ever had Capaldi in mind to replace the 11th Doctor Matt Smith.
"Yes. The list went 'Peter Capaldi' - it was a very short list," Moffatt explained.
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