Russell T Davies: 'David Tennant chose to quit months ago'
DAVID Tennant decided he was quitting Doctor Who months ago, the Post can reveal.
The actor's announcement during Wednesday's National TV Awards stunned fans of the show when he revealed he will leave next year.
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And the Post caught up with Russell T Davies after the bash.
The screenwriter gave us the inside story on David's decision and revealed he'd love to work with him again.
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In an exclusive chat, he told the Post: "We all knew he was going to announce it at the awards — we planned it months and months ago.
"We thought we could issue a press release or we could send a live transmission on ITV to eight million viewers.
"And it worked. We thought it would get leaked, but it didn't, which was brilliant."
The annual awards bash, at London's Royal Albert Hall, saw David address the audience via video link from Stratford-upon-Avon.
Russell said: "They timed the whole event to coincide with the interval at Hamlet, so it was really live.
"The planning that had gone into it was amazing.
"It wasn't hard to keep quiet about it because I didn't want to spoil it for anyone. Everyone's been asking when David might leave, but we've lied through our teeth all this time. We always knew."
David was picking up the Outstanding Drama Performance award for the third time.
But he revealed he won't be returning to play the Doctor after next year's four specials.
And Russell — who announced earlier this year he will also be leaving after the specials — told how he felt about David quitting.
He said: "I'll be sad to see him go, but I'm off as well. I'd like to think he's going because I'm leaving.
"But it does feel like good timing for us both to leave at the same time."
And Russell confessed he doesn't want next year's episodes to be his last time working alongside David.
He added: "I'd love to work with David again on another drama, absolutely, any day. There's no plans for that but I would definitely do it."
For more showbiz news — see Celebrity Scoop in the Post every Saturday.
Comments
by Comfie, London
Tuesday, December 23 2008, 1:28AM
“I really am going to miss David Tennant and while I don't want him to go I know I don't want him to be replaced but some idiot, especially if it's just because he's black. Paterson Joseph is not that good anyway, and I'm black and I don't want him. My first thoughts were either Harry Lloyd or Richard Armitage because Steven Moffat was taking over as Head Writer and I thought people who can bring out a dark side would really work well with him. However now I think Charles Aitken would make a great new Doctor. I know that this will be totally out of the blue, but with Eccleston and Tennant both being surprise castings I really think this guy could pull it off. He was born in England and grew up in America. He graduated from RADA and I saw him in Othello as Iago at the Lyric Hammersmith. I just thought he could make a really good Doctor. Especially with Moffat taking over this could really work. He can really bring out a dark side. I know it sounds random but it really could work, believe me. Look him up, he's not done much but he's got 'next big thing' written all over him.”
by Brenton Thomas, Adelaide Australia
Friday, November 07 2008, 10:57AM
“Very sad on David's decision to leave. I hope they consider John Simm for the role. He was great as the master and would give the new series an interesting angle "regenerating into somebody that resembles an old enemy". Tha t would be cool.”
by sarah ferguson, swansea
Monday, November 03 2008, 1:29PM
“i cant belive that david is leaving he is the best doctor ever and he will be missed. i love him so he really good actor and the best ever.”
by georgina robey, durham england
Saturday, November 01 2008, 11:00AM
“i fail to see why they had to lie about it for so long. The news has come as a great shock to all his fans. We hoped he would stick it out for at least another season. I am now curious as to who will replace him. I'm sorry to see him leave but wish him luck. the show just won't be the same without him. As for his comment about not wanting to become typecast.....I think it's a little late for that..he will always remain mine and the childrens favourite doctor.xx”