Doctor Who writer Steven Moffat has said he and lead star Peter Capaldi will hide behind the sofa together in fear as they watch the new episode.

Both are moving on from the series but will join up to watch the season premiere on Saturday.

Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi with Pearl Mackie as Bill PottsPeter Capaldi with Pearl Mackie as Bill Potts (BBC/PA)

Appearing on the BBC Breakfast show, Steven said: “I’m going to watch the show at my house with Peter Capaldi, who’s coming round to sit on my sofa with me. Actually we are going to get behind the sofa because we are really quite scared of Doctor Who.”

The writer, who is also standing down as executive producer, said he did not know who would be the 13th Doctor, deflecting questions to his replacement, Chris Chibnall.

There have been calls for Peter’s replacement, after three years as the Time Lord, to be the first female Doctor.

Steven did praise “proper new star” Pearl Mackie, who will be the Doctor’s new sidekick Bill Potts.

“You will be blown away. She is simply astonishing,” he said. “I think people are going to fall in love.”

:: The first episode of the latest series will air on BBC One at 7.20pm on Saturday.