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Created page with "{{article | publication = Daily Mail | file = 2004-03-20 Daily Mail.jpg | px = 650 | height = | width = | date = 2004-03-20 | author = | pages = 42 | language = English |..."

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After all the speculation, BBC reveals the latest face of the Time Lord

DOCTOR Who is to return to the screen with Christopher Eccleston in the title role.

The actor, who starred alongside Robbie Coltrane in Cracker as DCI Billborough, will make his debut as the Time Lord next year.

The revelation puts an end to months of speculation over who would land the plum role.

The BBC said the 40-year-old, who is thought to be signing a £1milion deal, will take the doctor into the 21st century in a 'fresh and modern approach'. Salford-born Eccleston, who also starred in the movie thriller Shallow Grave and the period drama The Others with Nicole Kidman, has agreed to a three-year stint in the Tardis.

Executive producer and scriptwriter Russell T Davies said: 'We considered many great actors for this wonderful part, but Christopher was our first choice. 'This man can give the Doctor a wisdom, wit and emotional range as far-reaching as the Doctor's travels in time and space.'

His high praise was echoed by Jane Tranter, BBC Controller of Drama Commissioning.

She said: 'We are delighted to have cast an actor of such calibre in one of British television's most iconic roles.'

The original Dr Who, William Hartnell, was 55 when he brought the character to life in 1963.

Since then the Doctor's personality has been reinvented by a raft of actors, including Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker - whose multicoloured scarf became synonymous with the series.

In the new series, the Doctor will be accompanied by a feisty young assistant called Rose Tyler.

In an effort to give the Time Lord a contemporary feel, Rose, who has not yet been cast, will discuss TV programmes such as EastEnders and talk about her love life.

However, it has not yet been decided whether his old enemies the Daleks will reappear. In one episode he will be joined by Alfred Molina for a plot involving Joan of Arc.

BBC producers are in talks with the star of the French film Amelie, Audrey Tautou, for the role of Joan.

The series ran for 26 years before being axed in 1989, with Sylvester McCoy playing the seventh doctor.

Paul McGann became Dr Who number eight in 1996, reprising the role for a {{TVM|one-off BBC film}}.

Caption: Fourth Doctor: Tom Baker

Caption: £1 million deal: Christopher Eccleston

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New Dr Who is a Cracker - Revision history

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