David Tennant only just beats Jodie Whittaker to be voted the best ever Doctor Who

David Tennant has been voted the best ever Doctor in the veteran BBC sci-fi series Doctor Who.

However, it was a close-run contest, with the most recent Doctor, Jodie Whittaker, snapping at the Scots actor's heels.

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50,000 people were polled by the Radio Times to determine the show's finest iteration of the Time Lord, with both Whittaker and Tennant grabbing 21% of the vote.

However, Tennant won out by just 95 votes, winning 10,518 to 10,423.

Whittaker's immediate predecessor Peter Capaldi came in third place with 8,897 votes, followed by Matt Smith with 7,637 votes.

Long-time favourite Tom Baker came in fifth place with 3,977 votes, while Peter Davidson, the fifth Doctor, came in last place with only 1% and 351 votes.

Huw Fullerton, the sci-fi and fantasy editor at RadioTimes.com, said: “Over a decade after he left the Tardis behind and after nearly 50,000 votes were cast, it’s clear David Tennant is still Doctor Who fans’ perfect 10.

“But with Jodie Whittaker hot on his heels and a great showing for other recent Doctors like Peter Capaldi, it looks like the fans also hold other Time Lords close to their hearts.”

Whittaker, who prior to becoming the thirteenth Doctor was best known for her roles in the movie Attack The Block and drama series Broadchurch, made history by becoming the first woman to play the role.

Here is how the Doctors stacked up:

1 - David Tennant 10518 / 21%

2 - Jodie Whittaker 10423 / 21%

3 - Peter Capaldi 8897 / 18%

4 - Matt Smith 7637 / 16%

5 - Tom Baker 3977 / 8%

6 - William Hartnell 1983 / 4%

7 - Paul McGann 1427 / 3%

8 - Christopher Eccleston 1144 / 2%

9 - Jon Pertwee 1038 / 2%

10 - Patrick Troughton 915 / 2%

11 - Sylvester McCoy 462 / 1%

12 - Colin Baker 359 / 1%

13 - Peter Davison 351 / 1%