What's up Doc? (Daily Star)
- Publication: Daily Star
- Date: 2013-04-05
- Author:
- Page: 39
- Language: English
ECCLESTON'S SHOCK SNUB
EX-TIME Lord star Christopher Eccleston has dealt a big blow to the BBC by pulling out of the 50th anniversary episode.
The actor, 49, was scripted to appear in the TV special.
He was set to join his successor David Tennant, 41, and current Doctor, Matt Smith, 30, in the show.
His return had been kept under wraps so it would be a huge surprise for viewers.
Show boss and writer Steven Moffat, 50, had penned a storyline using him in the script.
But just as filming started on the show in Wales this week, Eccleston dropped the bombshell that he would not be part of the project.
A source said: "It's a major blow and we are having to rework the script without the Ninth Doctor. But we are still confident the 50th anniversary will be massive." Who fans had hoped the Beeb would get all three actors who have played the Time Lord since the BBC1 show was resurrected in 2005 together for the November special.
But Eccleston was always going to be hard to pin down.
He played the Time Lord when the show was first revived by the Beeb eight years ago but shocked everyone by quitting after just one series. He said he did not want to be stereotyped by the role. Eccleston has never appeared at Doctor Who conventions or done anything linked to the show since.
Last year, when asked if he wanted to be involved in the anniversary, he teased: "If I told you that, I'd have to shoot you."
Last night his agent failed to comment.
A BBC insider said: "He was never sent a full script of the episode and had not signed a contract.
"But the anniversary show will still be a fantastic celebration of the last 50 years of Doctor Who.
"It will look forward to the future as well."
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- APA 6th ed.: (2013-04-05). What's up Doc? (Daily Star). Daily Star p. 39.
- MLA 7th ed.: "What's up Doc? (Daily Star)." Daily Star [add city] 2013-04-05, 39. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: "What's up Doc? (Daily Star)." Daily Star, edition, sec., 2013-04-05
- Turabian: "What's up Doc? (Daily Star)." Daily Star, 2013-04-05, section, 39 edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=What's up Doc? (Daily Star) | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/What%27s_up_Doc%3F_(Daily_Star) | work=Daily Star | pages=39 | date=2013-04-05 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=18 April 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=What's up Doc? (Daily Star) | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/What%27s_up_Doc%3F_(Daily_Star) | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=18 April 2025}}</ref>
