New Doctor at the Beeb

Casanova star David Tennant has been named as the new Doctor Who.

11:04 16 April 2005

Casanova star David Tennant has been named as the new Doctor Who.

The 33-year-old actor will take over from Christopher Eccleston as the tenth Time Lord. Eccleston quit the coveted role after just one series as the Doctor.

Tennant, who will start filming in Cardiff this summer opposite assistant Billie Piper, said he was "delighted, excited and honoured" to be offered the role.

"I grew up loving Doctor Who and it has been a lifelong dream to get my very own Tardis," he declared.

"Taking over from Chris is a daunting prospect - he has done a fantastic job of reinventing the Doctor for a new generation and is a very tough act to follow."

Tennant, from Bathgate, West Lothian, has also starred in BBC shows Blackpool and He Knew He Was Right, and the Stephen Fry movie Bright Young Things.

Julie Gardner, BBC Head of Drama Wales added: "Christopher Eccleston has given an exceptional performance as the ninth Doctor.

"David Tennant is a great actor who will build on the excellent work already done by Christopher in establishing Doctor Who for a new generation."

Actors who had been linked with the role included Bill Nighy, Eddie Izzard, Richard E Grant, David Thewlis and Alan Davies.

The latest series of Doctor Who is penned by Russell T Davies, who also wrote Casanova.