David Tennant could star in Doctor Who musical version

Tennant , who will next be seen in a BBC Christmas Day special, is due to leave the show in 2010.

But he still has four more "specials' to record in the New Year, before the 11th Timelord takes over.

Dr Who mastermind Russell T Davies, who is a fan of classic Hollywood musicals, especially Doris Day's Calamity Jane, wants to bow out with show stopper, it is understood.

And John Barrowman - who plays Captain Jack Harkness - and is a West End star, wants to return for the episode.

Tennant said: "Doctor Who, the musical has been mentioned.

"I would be up for it. I love a song and dance." He added that Barrowman - who has appeared in several shows by Andrew Lloyd Webber - was the keenest member of the cast on the idea.

But they would not be taking it on the stage. Tennant is currently recovering after a back operation which forced him to pull out of the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Hamlet in London, said in a radio interview he would not be tied down for a long run.

"The thing about a musical is you have to commit for a year and a half and it's eight times a week." However a musical episode could see the return of Billy Piper, a former 90s popstar, and even Kylie Minogue.

Tennant, who has played the 10th doctor since 2005, has only one other project announced for next year. A film version of Stephen Poliakoff's 1939, in which he plays Hector.

"They kindly called it a cameo, but it's really a very small part." In the meantime fans have been asking him for the inside information on the next Timelord's identity.

And mischievously he has been tipping his friend, and former Cold Feet actor James Nesbitt.

"They're just coming up to me and saying 'Who's next?' That's all that anybody's asking me.

"It's Jimmy Nesbitt who will be taking over. Jimmy Nesbitt got into touch to say 'please tell them it's not me. I spend all my day going round saying its not me, I couldn't take over from David.' "I would urge the public of Britain that if they see Jimmy Nesbitt in the street to go up and congratulate him." Tennant said he wants to take a souvenir keep-sake on his last day as Dr Who.

"I might try and take something - they will never give me the sonic screw driver, 'cos it costs a fortune and they'll need it. They have got two, but I break them quite a lot." In the Christmas Special set in Victorian England Tennant faces the threat of the Cybermen.

Russell T Davies, who revived Dr Who said in a recent interview that a female Dr Who might be a strong possibility. "I think kids will not have a problem with a female Doctor." There has been speculation before. Joanna Lumley was once tipped to take over from Tom Baker, but Colin Baker got the job.

A spokesman for BBC Wales in Cardiff, where Dr Who is filmed, said: "We cannot comment, as it would spoil fans' pleasure."

- telegraph.co.uk