Steven Moffat has discussed his reasons for quitting his role as Doctor Who showrunner.

The BBC confirmed last month that Moffat will step down at the end of the next season.

As rumoured for some time, Season 10 will not air in 2016. Instead there will be just a Christmas special this year, plus BBC Three’s upcoming spin-off, Class.

Steven Moffat’s sixth and final season in charge will air in spring 2017.

Moffat told the Daily Record: “I’m leaving because I think it’s time to go. I’ve been doing it for so long that I think it’s time for someone else to have a go. And time for me to have a go at something else!”

The Sherlock writer added: “I had almost gone at the end of the previous year to be honest and, looking at who was coming up next and what Chris was up to, I figured it’d be better if I did another year all round.”

He explained: “The reason in the end you end up leaving Doctor Who – much as we all love it, we all end up leaving it – it’s all year round, it’s a really tough gig, you’re working really hard a lot of the time.”

> Buy the complete Season 9 box set on DVD on Amazon.

> Buy the complete Season 9 box set on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Season 10 is expected to begin filming in May and Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall’s first season as Doctor Who showrunner will air in 2018.

> Here’s everything we know so far about Season 10.

Will you miss Steven Moffat as showrunner? Let us know below…