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BBC admits to blunder over Eccleston exit
5 April

The BBC has admitted that it failed to speak to Christopher Eccleston before revealing that he was quitting Doctor Who at the end of the current season.

The Corporation had originally claimed that the actor feared being typecast if he stayed on.

In a statement, the BBC quoted Eccleston as saying that "he hoped viewers continued to enjoy the series."

But the BBC has admitted it did not consult him about that statement and also broke its agreement not to reveal he planned to film just one season.

Head of drama and commissiong Jane Tranter said: "The BBC regrets not speaking to Christopher before it responded to the press questions on Wednesday 30 March.

"The BBC further regrets that it falsely attributed a statement to Christopher and apologises to him."

A BBC spokesman said a mutual agreement was made between the corporation and Eccleston in January that the fact he was not making a second series would not be made public.

But after journalists questioned the press office, the news was confirmed.

This ties in with recent news reports that have claimed that the BBC knew that Eccleston would not be returning back in December 2004 but had hushed the story up in order to avoid damaging publicity for the series' return. It's unknown whether Eccleston's one-season stint as the Doctor was planned from the outset or that the actor decided against returning whilst making the series.