Earlier this year the BBC announced that Broadchurch actress Jodie Whittaker will play the first female Doctor.

And today, the first image has been unveiled of the 35-year-old in full costume as the incoming Doctor Who.

It shows her in blue cropped trousers with yellow braces, a long trench coat and brown boots - with the famous Tardis in the background.

The new Doctor isn't the first to wear braces, they were most recently worn by the 11th Doctor, Matt Smith.

And the stripes on her jumper could be a reference to those seen on the scarf worn by Tom Baker's Doctor.

The new picture comes as anticipation grows for her debut as the 13th, and first female, Doctor.

Jodie is set to make her first appearance in the iconic role in a Christmas special later this year.

The actress will then appear in a 10-week series on BBC One, alongside companions played by Bradley Walsh, Mandip Gill and Tosin Cole.

The official picture is released a day after Christopher Eccleston - who portrayed the Doctor when the programme made its 2005 revival - publicly lauded the new casting choice.

The 53-year-old told ITV's Lorraine on Wednesday: "It had to change. God knows how much money it makes for the BBC - they needed to reinvent it, and they could not have chosen somebody better."