Tennant leaving Dr Who

032Devil

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... after the 4 specials next year.

From the horse's mouth on the National TV awards tonight.
 
Ah shit.

David Tennant is to stand down as Doctor Who, after becoming one of the most popular Time Lords in the history of the BBC science fiction show.

Tennant stepped into the Tardis in 2005, and will leave the role after four special episodes are broadcast next year.

He made the announcement after winning the outstanding drama performance prize at the National Television Awards.

"When Doctor Who returns in 2010 it won't be with me," he said.


I don't ever want it to feel like a job, so I want to move on when it still feels exciting and fresh
David Tennant
"Now don't make me cry," he added. "I love this part, and I love this show so much that if I don't take a deep breath and move on now I never will, and you'll be wheeling me out of the Tardis in my bath chair."

'I'll miss it'


Three years was "about the right time" to play the role, he told the BBC in an exclusive interview.

"I think it's better to go when there's a chance that people might miss you, rather than to hang around and outstay your welcome," he said.

His stint in the show had been "the most extraordinary time, it's been bewildering, life changing, very exciting", he said.

"And just so much fun, such a great show to work on.

"That's one of the reasons I think it's right to take a deep breath and bow out when it's still fun, when it's a novelty.

"I don't ever want it to feel like a job, so I want to move on when it still feels exciting and fresh and that means I'll miss it."

Drama award

Tennant, the 10th actor to play the Doctor Who, left fans guessing about his return at the end of the latest series.

Catherine Tate and Russell T Davies on Tennant as the Doctor

In the last episode, in July, the Doctor had to defeat his enemies the Daleks to save the universe.

Almost 10 million people watched as the Time Lord apparently started the process of regeneration - but did not complete it.

Tennant will appear in a Christmas special, titled The Next Doctor, before filming four more specials in January.

"They'll be the four last stories that I do," he said.

In a sign of his popularity, he was voted best drama performer in a public vote at the National Television Awards.

He has been named most popular actor at the same ceremony for the past two years. That prize has been discontinued this year.

An average of 8.1 million people a week watched the latest series - the fourth since it made a comeback in 2005 - in its Saturday evening slot on BBC One.

'Spectacular' exit

Russell T Davies, executive producer, said: "I've been lucky and honoured to work with David over the past few years - and it's not over yet, the Tenth Doctor still has five spectacular hours left!

"After which, I might drop an anvil on his head. Or maybe a piano. A radioactive piano. But we're planning the most enormous and spectacular ending, so keep watching."

David Tennant has recently acted with the Royal Shakespeare Company

A fifth series of the show is scheduled for 2010.

Tennant replaced Christopher Eccleston, who resurrected the show after a 16-year break.

Tennant made his name in TV dramas such as Blackpool and Casanova.

He started his career in theatre and in recent months has returned to the stage with well-received performances in Hamlet and Love's Labour's Lost for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

In December last year, Tennant denied rumours that he was planning to quit after Catherine Tate - his new companion in the Tardis - told the Jonathan Ross radio show she thought the next series of Doctor Who would be Tennant's last.

He said at the time: "Catherine Tate stitched me up good and proper. She goes on Jonathan Ross and makes up a load of old nonsense."
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7698539.stm
 
I really liked Eccleston as the Doctor (more than Tennant) but he acted the big idiot and left 'to follow other opportunities'. Mug. Where is he now, the tw@t. Just as I got used to Tennant now he's doing the same thing. What is it with these stupid people?

Hope we don't get a dud as the next one, it will spoil a few of my summers.
 
Tragic, hopefully they will get someone good in who can again make the part his own.

People seem too scared of becoming the Doctor, and not being able to get other parts afterwards.
 
Dumpstar said:
I really liked Eccleston as the Doctor (more than Tennant) but he acted the big idiot and left 'to follow other opportunities'. Mug. Where is he now, the tw@t. Just as I got used to Tennant now he's doing the same thing. What is it with these stupid people?

Hope we don't get a dud as the next one, it will spoil a few of my summers.
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I preferred Eccleston. Thought he had greater presence. He had a better balance of power and humour.

For me, Tennant looks as if a puff of wind would blow him over.
 
032Devil said:
I preferred Eccleston. Thought he had greater presence. He had a better balance of power and humour.

For me, Tennant looks as if a puff of wind would blow him over.
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Good point about Eccleston's balance. I still remember the child with the mask episode where they were in the hospital and he got really serious. I leaned forward to make sure I didn't miss any of the sciency stuff he was saying while being followed by the masked boy. Then Rose asked what do we do now, and he turns seriously and then..... a massive smile appears and he says Run!

I couldn't stop laughing. Tennant has not given me that 'moment of magic'.

His very first encounter with the single Dalek chained in a laboratory was also a masterpiece of acting.
 
I'm sure Tennant said in an interview recently (last couple of months, perhaps on Chris Moyles show??) that he'd be mad to step down from this role and will do it until he's not wanted? Perhaps I'm wrong. It certainly surprised me.
 
Yes Tennant did say that. And I remember thinking at the time "you lying tw@t, you'll be off with the same typecasting excuse as Eccleston was".
 
I was watching Dr Who 40 odd years ago. Used to get home from OT, mum served up dinner, then in front of the TV (B & W) for Dr Who.
Really enjoyed Tennant as the 10th doc. He has no right to leave. He has too many of us hooked.
The new series begins here next weekend on BBC America....guess you've all seen them already! I shall make the most of them now, knowing that the doctor's going to change.
My favourite TV program of all time.
 
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