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Tennant: I'm quitting the Tardis

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Published Date: 30 October 2008
By ANGUS HOWARTH
DAVID Tennant won a prestigious trophy at the National Television Awards last night – just as he announced he was quitting the Tardis.
The Bathgate-born star was up against his Doctor Who sidekick Catherine Tate at the annual awards, in the Outstanding Drama Performance category for their respective roles as the Time Lord and his assistant Donna Noble.

Tennant, 37, won the award,
just after announcing he was leaving the BBC sci-fi drama following his four-year tenure.

Doctor Who also won Most Popular Drama, beating Desperate Housewives, Shameless and The Bill.

Top Gear was named Most Popular Factual Programme, and the Paul O'Grady Show took the Entertainment Programme category. EastEnders got Most Popular Serial Drama, and Ant and Dec landed the award for Entertainment Presenter.

Tennant will complete the filming of four special episodes to be screened this year and in early 2010, as well as 2009's Christmas special.

The tenth incarnation of the immortal time-traveller, Tennant has starred in three series and three Christmas specials.

He has drawn praise for his reprisal of the role after Christopher Eccleston left in 2005.

Speaking of his decision to quit, he said: "I've had the most brilliant, bewildering and life-changing time working on Doctor Who.

"I have loved every day of it. It would be very easy to cling on to the Tardis console forever and I fear if I don't take a deep breath and make the decision to move on now, then I never will.

"You would be prising the Tardis key out of my cold dead hand. This show has been so special to me, I don't want to outstay my welcome.

"This is all a long way off, of course. I'm not quitting, I'm back in Cardiff in January to film four special episodes which will take Doctor Who all the way through 2009.

"I'm still The Doctor all next year but when the time comes, I'll be honoured to hand on the best job in the world to the next lucky git, whoever that may be.

"I feel very privileged to have been part of this incredible phenomenon and while I'm looking forward to new challenges, I know I'll always be very proud to be the tenth Doctor."

Russell T Davies, the show's executive producer, said: "I've been lucky and honoured to work with David, and it's not over yet – the tenth Doctor still has five spectacular hours left.

"We're planning the most enormous and spectacular ending, so keep watching."

Tennant did not attend the awards ceremony in London last night in person as he is playing Hamlet with the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon.

He accepted the award live on television at the play's interval. "Thank-you so much for this," he said. "This is really very exciting. Thank-you to everybody who works on Doctor Who. It is the best bunch of people in the world."

Here is the list of the winners of tonight's National Television Awards:

Most Popular Entertainment Programme

The Paul O'Grady Show (CH 4)

Outstanding Serial Drama Performance

Matt Littler, Hollyoaks (CH 4)

Most Popular Factual Programme

Top Gear (BBC 2)

Most Popular Comedy Programme

Benidorm (ITV 1)

Most Popular Newcomer

Rita Simons, EastEnders (BBC 1)

Most Popular Drama

Doctor Who (BBC 1)

Most Popular Entertainment Presenter

Ant & Dec (ITV)

Outstanding Drama Performance

David Tennant, Doctor Who (BBC 1)

Most Popular Serial Drama

EastEnders (BBC 1)

Special Recognition Award

Simon Cowell

Most Popular Talent Show

Strictly Come Dancing (BBC 1)





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  • Last Updated: 30 October 2008 12:23 AM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Film and TV awards
 
1

Boy Wonder,

30/10/2008 01:14:06
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2

Nellie,

Liverpool 30/10/2008 02:40:07
Sod, the economy - this is REALLY bad news!
3

sam the god,

30/10/2008 08:08:54
how are the bbc going to get round that the next dr is going to be the 11th when the in the past programmes it was stated that there could only be 10?
4

Lianachan,

Highlands 30/10/2008 09:12:27
#4 Wonder who's next. Ohhhhhhhh.

In the current climate, look for Whoopi Goldberg. Or, of course, Andrew Sachs.
5

AD in sunny Livingston,

30/10/2008 10:16:46
I couldn't sleep last night!!!!!!!

This is just the worst news ever. Why isn't it the top story??

I think we should petition him to have a re-think. I was upset when Tom Baker left and never felt anybody was REALLY Doctor Who until DT came along ...... now what am I supposed to do???

I personally don't believe he didn't have at least a few more series in him - he's that type of actor that can carry the enthusiasm with him.

He'll be sorely missed.
6

Boy Wonder,

30/10/2008 10:28:34
#3. Sam ... Gallifreyan Timelords have 12 regenerations according to the lore. But who says William Hartnell was the first? Then there's the Master and he had used up his regenerations by the time of Citadel of Death ... he became a body vampire as was shown in his takeover of Tremas of Traken, and again in tht TV movie when he got Eric Roberts' body! He was resurrected for the Timewar, but ran away to hide as Professor Yana, then Harold Saxon, PM.

But with the destruction of Gallifrey and the Timelord society ... who knows about regeneration??

I sound like a real Dr Who geek, don't I??? :(

7

AD in sunny Livingston,

30/10/2008 10:31:25
Nothing to be ashamed of BW - hold your head high!
8

Iain Bhern,

30/10/2008 11:35:12
My dark horse tip for the new doctor is entirely based on something David Tennant said in his first episode, look out for the new doctor having red hair! Damien Lewis perhaps?
9

AD in sunny Livingston,

30/10/2008 16:22:12
#9 OH PLEEEEEEEEEEEASE NO! What a loathesome, rancid, creepy character he is.

Howzabout Eddie Izzard???
10

Joanna,

30/10/2008 17:36:22
Terrible news.

Sack Jonathan Ross and give David Tennant his salary to stay on as Doctor Who. He is worth every penny :))
11

The real dracula,

31/10/2008 19:13:15
OMG this is top bad news.

David Tennant is theeeeee most gorgeous man on any planet.
My tip would be either bring back Christopher Eccleston or it would have to be John Barrowman who is drop dead yummy

 

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