Doctor Who' Karen Gillan, Arthur Darvill's Amy and Rory exit reaction

Doctor Who actress Karen Gillan is leaving her role as the Time Lord’s assistant, it was revealed last night.
The flame-haired actress, who plays Amy Pond, will exit the hit BBC1 show in the next series as she and her on-screen husband Rory (Arthur Darvill) meet a ‘heart-breaking end’.
This will spark the search for a new assistant, a role which has previously been played by the likes of Catherine Tate and Billie Piper.


Ex-model Miss Gillan, 23, made her debut appearance in 2010, and has been popular with viewers because of her trademark mini-skirts and on-screen chemistry with Matt Smith’s Doctor.
But the BBC came under fire when the character of Amy tried to lure the Doctor into bed in one episode.
Miss Gillan joined the show with Smith when he replaced the previous Doctor, played by David Tennant.
Smith said last night: ‘She’s great. We’ve had the most incredible journey. We took over the show and really had to hold hands and help each other through, it is very disappointing.


The upcoming departures of Amy Pond and Rory Williams next series polarised opinion amongst fans, with forum member Mystical123 commenting that they will "miss" the "wonderful" pair.


"I'm going to miss both of them a lot, not just their characters but the actors who are always so wonderful in interviews," Mystical said.


"Thinking about it, I'm more concerned that their departure is going to be 'heartbreaking' than that they're leaving, which really was only a matter of time. If either Amy or Rory are killed off, I will not be happy."


Toby Forrest agreed, calling the revelation "disappointing and sad news, but somehow hardly surprising".


Phill Harris noted: "Really hope when they go there will always be a chance for them to return in the 50th special and beyond."


smiddlehurst, meanwhile, disagreed with showrunner Steven Moffat's decision to announce the exit of Gillan and Darvill so long before their final series airs.


"Did we have to be told officially out of the blue like this when we're still months and months away from the series screening and with at least some vague details of what will happen?" they asked.


"First decision he's made that I've really disagreed with and it just feels unnecessary... outstanding in the roles, easily the best companions since the series returned.


"We, all of us fans of Who, are losing two people who have been stunning ambassadors for the show and whether you like the characters or actors or not there's no doubt that they've done a hell of a lot to promote and grow the show over the last two years and will almost certainly continue to do so in 2012 as well.