Now the theatre's education staff are hoping other young north actors will follow her lead.

The former Charleston Academy pupil will not be the only new face in the Tardis as she will be paired with new Time Lord Matt Smith when the smash hit "Doctor Who" returns to BBC One in the spring.

Miss Gillan, who beat off dozens of hopefuls to land one of television's most coveted roles, described her success in suitably stellar terms. "I am absolutely over the moon at being chosen to play the Doctor's new companion," she said. "The show is such a massive phenomenon that I can't quite believe I am going to be a part of it."

Back home in Inverness, her parents John and Marie, of Old Steading Road, Kinmylies are just as pleased. "She is absolutely delighted and so are we," Mr Gillan, a care worker at the Corbett Centre, commented. "We can't believe she's done so well and she's worked so hard to get there."

The role will be Miss Gillan's second appearance in "Doctor Who" after featuring in the episode "The Fires of Pompeii".

Miss Gillan left Inverness at 16 to study acting at Edinburgh's Telford College. A year later she secured a place at the prestigious Italia Conti Academy in London, where she landed a role in the Scottish detective drama "Rebus".

Karen Gillan — 'over the moon' with her new role.

Other television roles include "Stacked" and "The Kevin Bishop Show". She will also be appearing in the forthcoming films "Outcast" and Edinburgh thriller "The New Town Killers".

Eden Court arts education manager Judith Aitken said she was not surprised to see Miss Gillan, a member of the theatre's Senior Youth Group and Youth Dance Company, had won such a high profile role.

"We always knew Karen was incredibly talented," she said. "Even at an early stage, she was showing a lot of promise. It's fantastic to know you can start out doing classes at your local youth theatre and it can take you somewhere amazing."

Lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat explained why Miss Gillan had been chosen. "We saw some amazing actresses for this part, but when Karen came through the door the game was up," he said.

"Funny and clever, and gorgeous, and sexy. A generation of little girls will want to be her. And a generation of little boys will want them to be her too."

However, the programme makers have revealed nothing about Miss Gillan's role, whether she will play a Scot or even a human.

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