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Doctor Who renewed but Eccleston quits
31 March

The BBC has ordered a second season of 13 episodes plus a 60-minute Christmas special of Doctor Who, but Christopher Eccleston will not be returning as the Doctor.

With the impressive ratings for season opener Rose, the BBC were swift to announce the series' renewal.

Producer and lead writer Russell T. Davies said: "It's fantastic news. It's been a tense and jittery time because the production team has been working on plans.

"We could all have ended up employed. But now we can put all those plans into action and get going."

"It's particularly good for BBC Wales. This is a major flagship show for the region, and their staff and crews are the best you could find. It's a tribute to them that Doctor Who is returning."

At that time the BBC said that it was "not known" whether or not Eccleston would return, although both his and Billie Piper's contract had options to eppear in future seasons.

BBC head of drama commissioning Jane Tranter told The Guardian she was happy to commission more episodes of the show after its debut success.

"In all honesty I had got myself into a proverbial steel jacket as far as Doctor Who was concerned. I told myself I'd be completely and utterly thrilled if it got 6.5million, but there was a little voice inside whispering '4.5 million'," she said.

However, within a few hours the broke that Eccleston would not be continuing in the role, with the actor saying that he was planning new projects and that he found filming the series gruelling.

"The audience's response for the new Doctor Who has been incredible and I am really proud to be part of it and I hope viewers continue to enjoy the series," he said in a statement issued through the BBC.

A BBC spokesman said it had hoped, rather than expected, that Eccleston would continue in the role.

He said that although talks to make David Tennant (currently starring in Casanova, written by Russell T. Davies) the 10th Doctor were taking place, other names may be put forward. However, it is unprecedented for the BBC to announce it is in talks with an actor to play the Doctor, so Tennant seems almost certain to get the role.

It is currently unknown whether or not Eccleston will return for the Christmas special so that his next regeneration will be on-screen. The ratings impact of Eccleston quitting the show after only one episode has been broadcast has yet to be seen.