David Tennant hands over the TARDIS keys

It’s now been confirmed by the BBC that David Tennant will stand down as the 10th Doctor at the end of series 5 (2009). The show which will only consist of 4 specials in 2009 will feature his regeneration at the end of the last special, ushering in a new, 11th Doctor for Christmas 2009.

BBC News say:

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.

“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.”

For more Information click here or to watch the TV interview click here

The Next Doctor…really?

Now that the speculation about David Morrisey being the next doctor has died down and finally been put to rest as rubbish. The rumour mill has started again with another actor. This time, more controversial than the rumours about having a female Doctor. This time the rumour mill is stating that the next Doctor will be black.

Paterson Joseph to be precise. Paterson is no stranger to Doctor Who having played Roderick in the Season 1 episode, Bad Wolf.

As the Doctor has stated on many occasions, he never knows what he may turn into. The idea of a black Doctor doesn’t send me running, I’ll still watch the show, but the purists who screamed over the rumours of Jennifer Saunders taking a stint in the TARDIS will have apoplexy over this one.

I’m sure the daily tabloids will also have a field day coming up with headlines if this rumour turns out to be true!

As with the Doctor himself, only time will tell if the rumour becomes reality and we’ll all have to wait until 2010.

I still fancy the idea of Sean Pertwee in the role myself, that would be fitting and in a small way kind of comforting too. You see I’m a 3rd Doctor man myself, he was my first and all the others, including Tom Baker just never seemed right. Sylvester McCoy came in close, but just never quite made it.