Eccleston's £1m deal to step into Tardis
ACTOR Christopher Eccleston has landed one of the biggest roles in British television - the new Dr Who.
The 40-year-old star will sign a £l million deal, making him a household name after beating off competition from stars such as David Suchet, Michael French and Eddie Izzard.
He will follow in the footsteps of William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy in taking the role, which has become the most fiercely contested TV part in BBC history.
Salford-born Eccleston, who has appeared alongside Nicole Kidman in The Others and starred in TV drama Our Friends in the North, is signing a three-year deal. This signals the BBC's firm intention to make the new Dr Who even more successful than the sci-fi series was first time round. Each episode is running to a £1million budget, more than the BBC has ever spent before on any drama. More big-name cast members are set to be signed. A source said: "The official announcement of his signing is due next week. He was asked to screen-test for the part by Russell T Davies, who is heading this new production.
"They have worked together on the TV series The Second Coming, and Russell felt that he is an excellent choice.
"He is perhaps unexpected in the role as he is better known for a gritty film career in high-profile horror films like The Others and 28 Days Later.
"But this signals the intention to make the new Dr Who a more challenging remake."
Caption: FACE OF THE FUTURE: Chris will step Into the shoes of Dr Who
Caption: BLASTS FROM DOCTOR'S PAST: Hartnell, Davison, Baker, Pertwee and Troughton
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