Late Saturday night, The Mirror announced that Jenna Coleman, the Doctor’s current companion on Doctor Who, is set to depart the show during the annual Christmas special. This news comes as the Doctor Who cast and crew–including Coleman, new Doctor Peter Capaldi, and show runner, Steven Moffat–is in the midst of a cross-continental tour promoting the show’s new season, which premieres August 23 in both the UK & the US.

The Mirror further quoted an unnamed source as saying that by the time Coleman leaves, she’ll have been one of the longest-lasting companions in Who‘s 50+ year history. Coleman’s tenure will have been 18 months. Her decision to leave was “very much a mutual decision,” the source said.

Rumors of Coleman’s leaving first circulated back in February, when it was announced that actor Samuel Anderson (The History Boys) would be joining the show as recurring character…