Tennant quits as Doctor Who

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Page last updated at 21:38 GMT, Wednesday, 29 October 2008

Tennant quits as Doctor Who

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. "

Drama award

Tennant, the 10th actor to play the Doctor Who, left fans guessing

about his return at the end of the latest series.

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

T Davies, executive producer, said: " I've been lucky and

honoured to work with 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. "

A fifth series of the show is scheduled for 2010.

Tennant replaced 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 Tate - his new companion in the Tardis - told the

Ross radio show she thought the next series of Doctor Who

would be Tennant's last.

He said at the time: " Tate stitched me up good and proper.

She goes on Ross and makes up a load of old nonsense. "