It's been a hectic couple of years for 20-year-old Joe Dempsie. The former product of Nottingham's Junior Television Workshop based in Stoney Street, was thrust into the public eye when he won the part of Chris in E4's teen series Skins.

The show's back for a second series but it'll be the last for Joe and the majority of the existing cast.

Moving on

The show is based around a group of teenagers in 6th form college and since they'll be about to head to university come the end of the second season the decision has been made to start series three with a new group of teenagers.

But Joe isn't too worried.

"It's important professionally for everyone to move on. You've got to be brave and say it's time to do other stuff now."

Doctor Who

That other stuff includes a generous role in an upcoming episode of Dr Who. Even better for Joe Dempsie was that his acting qualities caught the eye of the Dr Who producers.

"They rang up and they just offered me the part. I didn't even have to audition.

"I've never really watched Doctor Who before. I'm not a Sci-Fi fan. I just thought I might never get offered a part straight up again. It would be rude to say no."

Joe will play the part of a soldier called Klein who sees his colleagues gradually killed off by aliens.

"It's a complicated story line. I take the doctor back to my camp and explain what's going on."