Sir Ben Kingsley is lined up to play Davros, the creator of the Daleks, in Season 4 of Doctor Who according to The Sun.

A source told the newspaper: “Ben’s agent has been in talks for a while now and he’s very keen to play the part of Davros. A deal will be signed any day now.”

The character of Davros is an evil megalomaniac who first appeared in the 1975 story Genesis of the Daleks and went on to feature in several episodes in the late 1970s and the 1980s.

Previous actors to have played the role are Michael Wisher, David Gooderson and Terry Molloy. The BBC has yet to confirm that Kingsley will take over as Davros.

Doctor Who Season 4 will air on the BBC in Spring 2008.