Lara Pulver is the 12th Doctor?

Many readers, of course, realised that yesterday’s news

reporting Jenna-Louise Coleman as the first female Doctor was entirely fabricated by Doctor Who TV for April Fools. That puts the whole thing to bed then.

Apparently not, when the papers can print this stuff any day of the year.

A story published today (2 April) by the Daily Express claims that the next Doctor will indeed be changing gender. Except, it won’t be Jenna-Louise playing the role, Sherlock’s Lara Pulver will instead.

They state:

DOCTOR Who will turn into a woman when the show marks its 50th anniversary next year, Day & Night has been informed.

The show’s bosses are planning to change the character’s gender after half a century, with Sherlock star Lara Pulver, 31, pictured, being tipped among the front runners for the role. Insiders say a dramatic twist will see current Time Lord Matt Smith, 29, regenerate into a new female character when next year’s series reaches its dramatic climax.

“The 50th anniversary series will end with a very big twist,” we’re told. “The Doctor becoming a woman will give the show a new lease of life.”

Lara has already been mentioned as a real contender for the role,” adds our show mole.

Remember, this is the same source that recently started the Cumberbatch Master rumours, which Steven Moffat subsequently stated were made up. So, best continue as you were.