Ah, you got to love the mix of gambling and quality televisual science-fiction – well, this not-so-closet sci-fi geek does, anyway – presented in the latest round of gambling on next actor to play the titular role in long-running BBC TV series “Doctor Who.”

The Os Man visited this particular prop bet back in July, just about when Paddy Power started promoting it heavily in response to burgeoning rumors that current star David Tennant would soon be departing the programme.

Today, rumors are flying even faster and furiouser (Is that a word?) now that Tennant has really, truly, officially announced his leaving the show before it returns to screens on a regular basis beginning in early 2010.

Coupled with a scintillating high-profile rumor widely reported in British tabloids, Paterson Joseph suddenly shot up the bookmakers’ tables, at one point getting 3/1 odds at Paddy Power and currently holding those numbers still at William Hill; many UK fans muse that since America has a black president, perhaps it’s time for a black Doctor.

In August, it was Joseph followed by longtime odds-on favorite David Morrissey at 5/1. Next up were James Nesbitt, who put in a critically acclaimed performance in the BBC mini-series “Jekyll” (which co-starred Joseph) directed by incoming show producer Stephen Moffat, at 6/1; John Simm (of the BBC version of “Life on Mars”) at 8/1; and trainspotter/full monty man Robert Carlyle at 14/1.

But in the best tradition of “Doctor Who,” the plot has thickened. Friday, November 15, saw the BBC run a two-minute clip from the upcoming Christmas Day “Doctor Who” special, which co-stars Morrissey and is entitled “The Next Doctor.” Though rumor had it that the identity of the next star would be revealed on the charity fund-raising show “Children in Need” that evening, no such news was forthcoming.

Morrissey has hinted around a little he should play the part, but every actor in England and beyond wants this part. Odds on Joseph are holding or going south, while William Hill reported a punters’ run in Wales on local hero Rhys Ifans (Human Nature, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Hannibal Rising) bagging the role. William Hill spokesman commented publicly that, “So far we have not been able to find out where the rumours about Rhys are coming from, but on paper we think he will make a good Doctor.”

The tables as of October 30 looked something like the following.

Paddy PowerDavid Morrisey: 2/1Paterson Joseph: 6/1James Nesbitt: 8/1 Anthony Head: 12/1Robert Carlyle: 14/1Richard E. Grant: 16/1Sean Pertwee: 18/1Stephen Fry: 40/1John Barrowman: 50/1Hugh Laurie: 50/1Gary Oldman: 66/1Hugh Grant: 150/1Robbie Williams: 200/1

William HillDavid Morrissey: 5/2Paterson Joseph: 3/1James McAvoy: 6/1James Nesbitt: 7/1Robert Carlyle: 7/1Rhys Ifans: 8/1Anthony Head: 12/1Alan Davies: 14/1Any woman: 20/1Daniel Radcliffe: 25/1Stephen Fry: 33/1Christopher Eccleston: 50/1

And just to add a bit of further innuendo, columnist/comic book writer/general rumormonger Rich Johnston claims that, “I have it on veeeeery good authority that the next Doctor has already been chosen. It's an interesting new direction, and the choice (assuming no changes of heart) will probably surprise – and divide – many. The name I've heard isn't Paterson Joseph. Or John Simm. Or James Nesbitt.”Hmm. And the Os Man kind of liked Joseph’s and Nesbitt’s chances. Ah well, Daniel Radcliffe at 25/1 isn’t bad...