Christopher Eccleston, 57, displays his VERY muscular biceps in a black vest as he leaves set after filming BBC Oliver Twist adaptation in Cheshire

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Christopher Eccleston displayed his muscular biceps in a black vest as he left the set of the BBC's new Oliver Twist adaptation Dodger on Thursday. 

The Doctor Who alum, 57,   revealed his defined guns as he loaded his bag in his Range Rover after a long day on set at the National Waterways Museum in Cheshire .

He sported a short haircut and goatee as he ditched his Victorian-era costume after playing criminal organiser Fagin in the 10-part family drama.

(Doctor) Who knew? Christopher Eccleston, 57, displayed his muscular biceps in a black vest on Thursday after filming BBC's new Oliver Twist adaptation at the National Waterways Museum in Cheshire

Fagin - one of the main characters in the original 1838 Oliver Twist novel - is the leader of a group of children who he teaches to pickpocket in exchange for shelter.  

Saira Choudhry, 31, who is best known for playing Anita Roy in Hollyoaks and Tegan in Paul Abbott's No Offence, takes on the role of Nancy who is a member of Fagin's gang and Bill Sikes' lover. 

Shameless star David Threlfall, 67, will play chief of police Sir Charles Rowan in the series, while child actor Billy Jenkins, 14, - who was in The Crown - will also feature in the new drama. 

The series, which will appear on CBBC and BBC iPlayer, has been written by Rhys Thomas and Lucy Montgomery, while Charlie Higson has also guest-written an episode.

Heading home: The Doctor Who star revealed his defined biceps in a sleeveless top which he paired with cargo shorts as he loaded his bag in his Range Rover after a long day on set

Oliver Twist is Charles Dickens' second novel, and was published as a serial from 1837 to 1839. It was released as a three-volume book in 1838, before the serialisation ended.

The story centres around orphan Oliver who was born in a workhouse and sold into an apprenticeship with an undertaker.

After escaping, Oliver travels to London, where he meets the 'Artful Dodger' Jack Dawkins, a member of a gang of juvenile pickpockets led by Fagin. 

Christopher said of the upcoming series: 'Fagin is an iconic role, I'm a very fortunate actor.

'Rhys Thomas and Lucy Montgomery have taken Charles Dickens' extraordinary characters and imagined a whole new world and lives for them. I'm very, very excited.'

New project! Christopher seen in his Victorian-era costume earlier on Thursday as he plays criminal organiser Fagin in the 10-part family drama, Dodger

Thomas, who is also co-directing the series, said: 'I have always loved Oliver Twist but wasn't so keen on Oliver himself. I preferred the company of Dodger, Fagin and the gang. 

'I thought it would be fun to create a family show with Dodger at its heart and see how he came to be a master criminal in Victorian London.

'Working with the very best material as a springboard, it's a total delight to expand Dickens' rich world of characters and create a few of my own.

'To top it all, we have an incredible cast who are starring in the show. I can't wait for families all over the world to see it!' 

Christopher left the role of Doctor Who after appearing for just one series in 2005, despite being praised by fans for her performance as the Time Lord.

The series gripped viewers with the return of the infamous Daleks, the debut of Captain Jack (played by John Barrowman) and the Doctor's blossoming romance with Rose Tyler. 

But the end of series one saw Christopher's Doctor regenerate, with David Tennant taking over the role for the second series in 2006.

Since his departure, the actor has candidly revealed that he battled anorexia during filming for the sci-fi drama, and was praised by fans for bravely revealing his mental health struggles.

Writing in his book I Love The Bones Of You, he said: 'The illness is still there raging within me as the Doctor.

'People love the way I look in that series, but I was very ill. The reward for that illness was the part. And therein lies the perpetuation of the whole sorry situation.'  

For help and support with eating disorders contact SEED on (01482) 718130 or visit www.seedeatingdisorders.org.uk   

Honest: Christopher left the role of Doctor Who after appearing for just one series in 2005, despite being praised by fans for her performance as the Time Lord, as he battled anorexia