'Lucky number seven' for new Dr Who assistant

Dr Who's new assistant Jenna-Louise Coleman said her luck was in when she landed the high profile role in the popular sci-fi series.

The 25-year-old former Emmerdale actress told the Radio Times the job was given the codename, Men On Waves, when she went for the audition.

The actress said the process was so secretive she could not tell anyone about it, not even her agent.

Jenna-Louise said she had been turned down for roles because of her past as a soap actress. She told the magazine she did not work for a year after starring in the Yorkshire soap Emmerdale as Jasmine Thomas.

Jenna-Louise takes over from Karen Gillan who played the Doctor's assistant Amy Pond.

She is also set to appear in the ITV drama Titanic.