Former University of East Anglia student Matt Smith has decided to end his role as TV's Doctor Who.

Smith graduated with a degree in drama from the UEA in 2005 and went on to become the youngest ever actor to play the Doctor when he took over from David Tennant in 2010.

Last night the BBC announced he is leaving Doctor Who and will bow out in the Christmas special when he will be replaced by a new incarnation of the time lord.

Smith, 30, said it had been 'an honour' to play the part.

'Doctor Who has been the most brilliant experience for me as an actor and a bloke, and that largely is down to the cast, crew and fans of the show,' Smith said.

'I'm incredibly grateful to all the cast and crew who work tirelessly every day, to realise all the elements of the show and deliver Doctor Who to the audience. Many of them have become good friends and I'm incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the last four years.'

He also paid tribute to show supremo Steven Moffat whose 'varied, funny, mind bending and brilliant scripts has been one of the greatest and most rewarding challenges of my career'.

He said: 'It's been a privilege and a treat to work with Steven, he's a good friend and will continue to shape a brilliant world for the Doctor.

'The fans of Doctor Who around the world are unlike any other; they dress up, shout louder, know more about the history of the show (and speculate more about the future of the show) in a way that I've never seen before, your dedication is truly remarkable.

'Thank you so very much for supporting my incarnation of the Time Lord, number eleven, who I might add is not done yet, I'm back for the 50th anniversary and the Christmas special.'

Smith, who recently made his directorial debut, has spoken about ambitions for a film-making career.

The search is on for a replacement but no-one has signed up for the role yet.

Smith's most recent on-screen companion, played by Jenna-Louise Coleman, will stay with the show.

Moffat said: 'Every day, on every episode, in every set of rushes, Matt Smith surprised me: the way he'd turn a line, or spin on his heels, or make something funny, or out of nowhere make me cry, I just never knew what was coming next.

'The Doctor can be clown and hero, often at the same time, and Matt rose to both challenges magnificently. And even better than that, given the pressures of this extraordinary show, he is one of the nicest and hardest-working people I have ever had the privilege of knowing.

'Whatever we threw at him - sometimes literally - his behaviour was always worthy of the Doctor.

'But great actors always know when it's time for the curtain call, so this Christmas prepare for your hearts to break, as we say goodbye to number eleven. Thank you Matt - bow ties were never cooler.

'Of course, this isn't the end of the story, because now the search begins. Somewhere out there right now - all unknowing, just going about their business - is someone who's about to become the Doctor. A life is going to change, and Doctor Who will be born all over again! After 50 years, that's still so exciting!'

- For more about Smith's Norfolk links, see the links to previous articles at the top-right of this page.