Working with Catherine Zeta Jones would be 'dream' says Doctor Who writer

ACCLAIMED TV writer Russell T Davies has said he would love to team up with Catherine Zeta Jones.

Mr Davies described the Hollywood Oscar winner from Swansea as vastly underrated.

And he has put her at the top of his list of people he would like to work with in the future.

Linking up with Catherine on a project would be the icing on the cake for the legendary writer — who has been helping film scenes in Gower for the latest series of Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood.

He said: "If I could work with any person in the world it would be Catherine Zeta Jones.

"Her acting ability is very underrated — perhaps people tend to see her beauty first.

"Working with her would be a dream come true."

Mr Davies, from Swansea, was part of the team responsible for returning Doctor Who to television screens in 2005.

With Christopher Eccleston in the lead role as the ninth Doctor, the first episode raked in 10.5 million viewers.

Christopher quit after one series to be replaced by David Tennant, and then he and Mr Davies bowed out to pursue new interests.

Steven Moffat is now executive producer and lead writer for the show, which stars Matt Smith as the 11th Doctor.

But Mr Davies is still keenly interested in what happens in his old show and reckons Manic Street Preachers bassist Nicky Wire could strike a chord with Doctor Who viewers.

Swansea University-educated Wire has been secretly putting together a script for the sci-fi show.

The 41-year-old recently revealed via the Manics' website that he had written an episode called Do Not Go Gently — centred around Dylan Thomas's last days in New York.

BBC bosses said they had yet to have contact with the musician, but former Olchfa pupil Davies has now given the project a ray of hope.

He said: "I had not heard about Nicky Wire writing an episode of Doctor Who until recently, but it's such a good idea.

"Nicky's a great guy and I'd love to see an episode of the timelord where he would meet up with Dylan Thomas.

"Obviously, the Doctor would have to make sure he did not get involved in any drinking competitions with Dylan Thomas, but the idea would make great TV."

Meanwhile, Davies has been kept busy during the filming for Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood.

The new series, due to air later this year, is to be the show's biggest yet after being picked up by US TV network Starz.

A camera crew pitched up at The Old Rectory in Rhossili this week, with a helicopter being used to capture some dramatic shots.

Davies, who also wrote hit '90s drama Queer As Folk, said earlier this week: "It's going to be spectacular,"

"The budget is bigger than before and there's some great storylines.

"I'm immensely proud of where I'm from and quite like the opportunity to show places like Rhossili to the world.

"There have been a number of episodes of Doctor Who and Torchwood which have been filmed in Swansea, and I plan to keep that up.

"I don't think I'll ever run out of places to film here because there are so many great ones."

ben.wright@swwmedia.co.uk