Flouncy red-top feminism-promoting pundit-baiting sister of phone-hacking scandal News of the World – with added topless ladies on page 3 – The Sun (to whom we never link) is reporting today that Downtown Abbey, Bonekickers (pictured) and Notting Hill actor Hugh Bonneville is set to appear in a 2011 episode of Doctor Who.

Bonneville – who played Earl of Grantham in the popular period drama – is quoted as saying:

“When I was a boy, the music and Jon Pertwee’s doctor had me peeking out from behind the sofa every Saturday.

“I am thrilled to be appearing in the new series.”

There’s certainly a piratey twist to proceedings, too, with Bonneville apparently playing a (space?) pirate

“Although the pirate’s demons are different to those of the young lad who watched through his fingers, they are no less terrifying – this new adventure is not for the faint-hearted.”

It’s not clear at this stage where in the 2011 run of episodes Bonneville’s pirate will appear (first half or second half) or if he’s going to be a villain or an ally of the Doctor…