Doctor Who stars Arthur Darvill and Karen Gillan – who of course play the roles of the Time Lord’s sidekicks Rory Williams and Amy Pond respectively – have now filmed their final scenes in the show, which will of course air during series seven, which is set to premiere next month on the BBC.

Of their last scenes, which both agreed were “very sad” to film, Arthur told TV Biz, “The last scene we shot was inside the Tardis with all three of us.

“We were then in darkness and we had a big group hug.”

However, trying to make light of the clearly very emotional moment, Matt Smith, who plays the Doctor, said, “We had a hug and Karen fondled me. I called her Fondling Bottom Gillan.”

Laughing, Arthur continued on a more serious note, saying, “All those feelings kept inside for so long just suddenly came out…”

And Karen added, “I was in bits. I didn’t want to go. There were tears, a lot of tears. But it is the best exit ever.”

Matt added, “I miss the guys but all good things must come to an end. But they go out with a bang and a tear.”

BBC chiefs are of course desperate to keep the details of how Rory and Amy exit the show a secret, but it’s proven difficult given the clips and spoilers that have surfaced during the recent Comin-Con convention in San Diego.

However, a secret it still is, but of being at this year’s Comic-Con, Karen remarked, “It has been really nice, actually. It is lovely we have such a great following.”

And Arthur added, “It is insanity to see so many people wandering around in Doctor Who costumes.”

As mentioned, the new series of Doctor Who is expected to air on BBC1 in late August.