PETER CAPALDI has said whoever replaces him in “Doctor Who” — whether a man or a woman — will be “wonderful.”

    Speaking at a preview of the first episode of his final series on the BBC show, he admitted he’d be “very sad” to say goodbye to the program.

    The story, titled “The Pilot,” introduces the Doctor’s new companion Bill Potts, played by Pearl Mackie.

    It sees the Doctor, Bill, and Nardole, played by Matt Lucas, battling a shape-shifting alien across time and space.

    Capaldi, 58, who took over the Time Lord role in 2013, announced in January that he would leave the show in the 2017 Christmas special.

    Asked about who might take over his role, the Scottish actor chose his words carefully.

    “I’m sure whoever that person is will be wonderful,” he said.

    “Doctor Who is a wonderful part, and they are going to make — if they haven’t already done so — a wonderful choice, whether that’s a man or a woman.”

    Speculation has been mounting over who will take over the role, with Fleabag’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge among the bookies’ favorites.

    “Doctor Who” will return on BBC One on April 15.

    (SD-Agencies)