It might seem odd for a show as popular as Doctor Who to have to answer accusations that the BBC have ‘given up’ on it – after all, globally, it’s more popular than ever and generates a vast amount of income for BBC Worldwide.

But there are fans who are concerned that with the show being divided up and spread out across the year – seemingly flying in the face of that global demand for the show, that the BBC may be looking the (admitted rather expensive to produce) gift horse in the mouth.

Answering a fan’s text on The Richard Bacon Show Steven Moffat dismissed the idea that the BBC were ‘giving up’ on Doctor Who – leaving fans with, in the words of Chris in Cardiff Bay, with shorter and shorter seasons (Moffat’s comments begin at around 17:40):

“We’re just splitting it over Christmas, we’re making the same number of episodes as usual,” he said. “We delayed it a few months to start it later in the year, that’s all that’s happened.”

Moffat went on to assure fans that there was ‘no chance’ the BBC would abandon the show:

“It’s a huge money-spinner. It’s doing better than ever abroad – the global number of people watching Doctor Who has just gone up and up and up.

It was the most downloaded show on American iTunes last year – [there's] not a chance of the BBC giving up on Doctor Who, not at all.”

Moffat has also been sharing his thoughts on new companion Jenna-Louise Coleman, who began filming her first episode on the show last week.

Speaking to Digital Spy Moffat praised the young actress as:

“…wonderful and spiky and salty and clever- I’m thrilled with her – everyone’s going to be.”