The Sun said that a £200,000-a-year deal has been struck which ties the 26-year-old to the show for three years, with the option of carrying on for another two as well.

Matt becomes the 11th Doctor next year, after David Tennant bows out. The newspaper quoted an insider saying: “Bosses don’t want Matt doing a David and leaving when things are going great.”

The show declined to comment on Matt’s salary or any deal that had been done.

The figure is in stark contrast to existing Doctor Who David, who is reported to get £1 million each year because he is already a well-established actor.