1Doctor Who beauty Karen Gillan tipped for greatness

Doctor Who beauty Karen Gillan tipped for greatness

By Oliver Farrimond

FRIENDS, family and former teachers of stunning Doctor Who starlet Karen Gillan have backed the 21-year-old former model for greatness.

The role – widely thought of as one of the biggest in television – sees the svelte beauty acting as sidekick to new Doctor Matt Smith.

Father John Gillan said he was delighted for the flame-haired starlet to follow in the footsteps of Billie Piper and comedienne Catherine Tate.

He said: “She has worked very hard for this – she has always been enthusiastic for her career and we’re so happy for her.

“It came as a great shock for all of us when we heard she had been chosen for a role in such an iconic programme.

“But the BBC has asked us not to talk about it. I don’t even know when she’s starting work, it’s all a big secret.”

Having dreamt of being an actress since childhood, Gillan will take her place in the intergalactic sci-fi show when a new series kicks off next year.

Gillan studied acting at Edinburgh’s Telford College after leaving school at 16, and has since had a string of high-profile catwalk appearances with big-name designers.

After graduating from the prestigious Italia Conti stage school in 2005, she has been the face of a number of prestigious fashion houses.

Tutors at Telford College said that the Inverness-born actress’ star quality was obvious from the very beginning.

Teacher Scott Johnson, head of acting and performance at the college, said: “We knew she was a star as soon as we saw her perform.”

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