Jennifer Saunders to be first female Dr Who?

The Sun is reporting today that Ab Fab, Vivienne Vyle and Jam and Jerusalem star Jennifer Saunders is set to become the first female Dr Who.

According to the newspaper, the comic actress is in talks to become the Timelord in the popular BBC1 sci-fi series when David Tennant leaves 2009. It should be noted that if Saunders gets the part she is likely to play the show's hero for just one episode though.

A source from the production team said of Jennifer, best known as Edina in Absolutely Fabulous: "She's in the running and we all think she would be fantastic."

The new Doctor Who episodes have often seen British comic actors take on a guest role. Previous comics to appear in the series have included Peter Kay and Richard Wilson. In this year's Christmas special Geoffrey Palmer will be playing the Captain of The Titanic and, in 2008, Catherine Tate becomes the Doctor's new traveling companion.