A month ago to the day Pearl Mackie was revealed as the Doctor’s next companion in the BBC cult sci-fi television programme DR WHO. It was announced during the half time interval of the FA Cup semi-final.

The current and twelfth incarnation of the Doctor, Peter Capaldi described Pearl as “a fine actress with a wonderful zest and charm, who will be a refreshing addition to the TARDIS.”

The Brixton-born, Bristol-educated actress, singer and dancer, graduated from the Old Vic Theatre School in 2010 and has packed in a lot since then, including films, TV and a dozen stage productions. She played Anne-Marie Fraser in the medical soap DOCTORS (must be something magnetic in that word) and is currently appearing at the Gielgud in the Olivier and Tony Award winning play THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME in London’s West End until next month.

As you can imagine since the DR WHO announcement, interest in Pearl has magnified, attracting a few more punters at the Gielgud stage door, including moi with this sketch, which she signed and dedicated for me with plenty of ‘zest and charm.’