Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill leaving Doctor Who

Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill will be leaving Doctor Who next year, head writer and executive producer Steven Moffat has confirmed.

Steven Moffat announces: "The final days of the Ponds are coming during the next series. Then the Doctor will meet a new friend"

Moffat revealed that Amy and Rory will be written out of the show earlier today during the press screening for The Doctor, The Widow and The Wardrobe.

Matt Smith commented: "The show will miss the Ponds brilliantly played by Karen and Arthur but the great thing about Doctor Who is its ability to change."

Steven Moffat also added that he thinks River Song will return to the series.

According to the official Doctor Who Twitter feed, more details will be disclosed tomorrow, Friday 16th December 2011.

Gillan and Darvill are expected to make a cameo appearance in the 2011 Doctor Who Christmas Special which airs on Christmas Day at 7.00pm on BBC One.