Downton Abbey star lands Doctor Who role

Hugh Bonneville is to make a guest appearance in 'Doctor Who'.

The 'Downton Abbey' actor - who plays the Earl of Grantham in the ITV1 period drama - is delighted to have landed the role of a pirate captain in the time-travelling series because he has always been a fan of the show.

He said: "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. 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."

Hugh's casting is the latest revelation about the new series of 'Doctor Who', which stars Matt Smith in the lead role and Karen Gillan as his sidekick Amy Pond.

It was recently revealed that Amy will fall pregnant but her husband Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill) suspects the baby isn't his - and immediately points the finger at the time-travelling doctor.

An insider explained: "Amy has been obsessed with the Doc ever since she met him as a child and started making her Raggedy Doctor dolls. She went off in the Tardis with him and left Rory behind.

"Rory is suspicious that maybe the pair got it on in the Tardis with before he finally married Amy. The Doc, of course, denies it's him."