BBC denies new Dr Who betting claim

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Bookmakers reduced odds on actor Matt Smith landing the role shortly before the announcement after a flurry of bets were made on the relatively unknown 26-year-old. Nearly seven million people saw him named as the 11th Time Lord, the youngest yet.

At bookmaker Paddy Power, which took £40,000 in total, odds on Smith fell from 33-1 to 10-1 in the run-up to the weekend's announcement.

"For such an unknown name as Matt Smith to go from 33-1 to 10-1 suggests there were obviously people who did know," Paddy Power spokesman Darren Haines said. "However it wasn't widespread, so it wasn't enough to set our alarm bells ringing, otherwise he would have crashed in as favourite."

But he said people were still putting more money on other names, including David Morrissey, Paterson Joseph and James Nesbitt.

Mr Haines said the betting pattern was "enough to suggest there were people out there who knew, but I certainly wouldn't describe it as a betting coup".

"It was very much one under the radar," he said, adding that it was hard to keep details of such a major announcement quiet as so many people would have been involved. "All in all, they did quite well," he said.

A BBC spokeswoman said: "The BBC has no knowledge of anyone betting on the outcome of the identity of the 11th Doctor."

Smith replaces David Tennant at the helm of the Tardis, and is due to first appear on our screens as the revered doctor in 2010.

Although relatively unknown, he has appeared in Alan Bennett's play The History Boys at the National Theatre in London, and alongside Christian Slater in Swimming With Sharks in the West End. He also worked with the Doctor's companion, Billie Piper, in the 2006 TV adaptation of The Ruby In The Smoke.