Doctor Who: Bradley Walsh, Tosin Cole and Mandip Gill announced as Jodie Whittaker’s companions

The Chase host and two Hollyoaks actors will join the 13th Doctor

The BBC has announced Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor Who will have three companions.

The Chase host Bradley Walsh, along with former Hollyoaks actors Tosin Cole and Mandip Gill, will join the 13th Doctor.

Walsh will play the characters Graham, Cole will star as Ryan and Gill will play Yasmin.

"I remember watching William Hartnell as the first Doctor,” Walsh told the BBC. “Black and white made it very scary for a youngster like myself.

"I was petrified, but even though I'd watch most of it from behind the sofa through my fingers, I became a fan. Am I thrilled to be part of this whole groundbreaking new dawn for the Doctor? Oh yes!”

Gill, who has also starred in Casualty, told the broadcaster she was "over the moon" to join the show, saying: ”Certain roles seem unattainable and this is one of those, so much so I didn't believe it to be true for the first few weeks."

Cole, who recently played a pilot in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, said he was looking forward to "jumping in this Doctor Who universe”.

Upcoming showrunner Chris Chibnall — Steven Moffat’s replacement — called the three actors some of “Britain's brightest talents” adding: "The new Doctor is going to need new friends.”

The BBC also confirmed episodes of the upcoming season will run for 10 weeks, each episode running 50 minutes. There will be an hour-long episode to open the season.

Whittaker will first appear as the Doctor during the Christmas special later this year, taking over the iconic character from Peter Capaldi.