The eleventh doctor is clocking out. Matt Smith has announced that he will be stepping down from his titular role in the long-running sci-fi show "Doctor Who."

According to UK network BBC, the 30-year-old actor will be leaving the role at the end of this year after four years. He will star in the 50th anniversary of the show on November 23 and regenerate in the Christmas special.

Smith became the time-travelling Doctor in 2010 after his character regenerated from his previous identity, played by David Tennant, the tenth Doctor. He wasn't just the youngest actor to step into the TARDIS as the Time Lord in the show's history, but he was also the first to be nominated for a BAFTA for the role.

"Doctor Who has been the most brilliant experience for me as an actor and a bloke, and that largely is down to the cast, crew and fans of the show. I'm incredibly grateful to all the cast and crew who work tirelessly every day, to realise all the elements of the show and deliver Doctor Who to the audience. Many of them have become good friends and I'm incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the last four years," Smith said.

"Having Steven Moffat [lead writer and exec producer] as show runner write such varied, funny, mind bending and brilliant scripts has been one of the greatest and most rewarding challenges of my career. It's been a privilege and a treat to work with Steven, he's a good friend and will continue to shape a brilliant world for the Doctor.

"The fans of Doctor Who around the world are unlike any other; they dress up, shout louder, know more about the history of the show (and speculate more about the future of the show) in a way that I've never seen before, your dedication is truly remarkable. Thank you so very much for supporting my incarnation of the Time Lord, number Eleven, who I might add is not done yet. I'm back for the 50th anniversary and the Christmas special!"

The search for the new Doctor is on. BBC is also yet to reveal how Smith will exit the show.

"It's been an honour to play this part, to follow the legacy of brilliant actors, and helm the TARDIS for a spell with 'the ginger, the nose and the impossible one.' But when ya gotta go, ya gotta go and Trenzalore calls. Thank you guys. Matt," Smith said.