[Hooly One]

David Tennant has been confirmed as the replacement for Christopher Eccleston in the Doctor Who role.

The news comes after Eccleston's surprise decision to quit the cult show earlier this month over fears of becoming typecast.

Tennant, currently starring in BBC One's Casanova, will become the tenth Doctor in the show's next series. He will join the cast alongside Billie Piper, who is sticking around as the Doc's assistant, Rose Tyler.

"I am delighted, excited and honoured to be the tenth Doctor!" said Tennant. "I grew up loving Doctor Who and it has been a lifelong dream to get my very own TARDIS.

"Russell T Davies is one of the best writers television has ever had, and I'm chuffed to bits to get the opportunity to work with him again. I'm also really looking forward to working with Billie Piper who is so great as Rose.

"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."

Russell Davies, executive producer and writer of the show, added: "Christopher Eccelston's wonderful Doctor has reinvented the role, so that it now appeals to the best actors in the land. I'm already writing David's first new adventure on board the TARDIS!

"Regeneration is a huge part of the programme's mythology, and I'm delighted that new, young viewers can now have the complete Doctor Who experience, as they witness their hero change his face!"

Filming on the new 13-episode series begins this summer for transmission early next year.


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