David Tenant steps out of the Tardis

David Tennant announced at the National Television Awards, last night, that he will leave the award winning BBC One drama Doctor Who when he has completed the filming of four special episodes which will be screened in 2009 and early in 2010.

David Tennant first appeared as The Doctor in 2005 and has gone on to star in three series and three Christmas specials as the tenth incarnation of the Time Lord.

The BBC has confirmed that David will continue to play The Doctor in the four specials that will make up the 2009 series before a new Doctor takes over for Series 5.

Tennant will also star in the Doctor Who Christmas special, titled The Next Doctor, this year.

David Tennant comments: "I've had the most brilliant, bewildering and life changing time working on Doctor Who.

"I have loved every day of it.. It would be very easy to cling on to the Tardis console forever and I fear that if I don't take a deep breath and make the decision to move on now, then I simply never will. You would be prising the Tardis key out of my cold dead hand.

"This show has been so special to me, I don't want to outstay my welcome.

"This is all a long way off, of course. I'm not quitting, I'm back in Cardiff in January to film four special episodes which will take Doctor Who all the way through 2009.

"I'm still the Doctor all next year but when the time finally comes I'll be honoured to hand on the best job in the world to the next lucky git – whoever that may be.

"I'd always thought the time to leave would be in conjunction with Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner who have been such a huge part of it all for me.

"Steven Moffat is the most brilliant and exciting writer, the only possible successor to Russell and it was sorely tempting to be part of his amazing new plans for the show. I will be there, glued to my TV when his stories begin in 2010.

"I feel very privileged to have been part of this incredible phenomenon, and whilst I'm looking forward to new challenges I know I'll always be very proud to be the Tenth Doctor."

Russell T Davies, Executive Producer of Doctor Who, comments: ""I've been lucky and honoured to work with David over the past few years – and it's not over yet, the Tenth Doctor still has five spectacular hours left!

"After which, I might drop an anvil on his head. Or maybe a piano. A radioactive piano.

"But we're planning the most enormous and spectacular ending, so keep watching!"

David expands upon his decision in a taped interview which can be found at bbc.co.uk/doctorwho.

Doctor Who returns to our screens on BBC this Christmas. The Next Doctor starring David Tennant, David Morrissey and Dervla Kirwan will be screened on 25 December 2008 on BBC One.

(BBC Press Release)

Joaquin Phoenix quits films for music

Joaquin Phoenix announced to 'Extra' at the Paul Newman Benefit that he won't be making anymore films and will be pursuing a career in music, following the success of his performance in Walk the Line as legend Johnny Cash.

The Oscar nominee said: "I want to take this opportunity... also to give you the exclusive and just talk a little bit about the fact that this will be my last performance as an actor... I'm not doing films anymore."

He added: "I'm working on my music. I'm done. I've been through that."

His announcement was later confirmed by his representative.

Director Michael Bay not happy with Transformers ride

Michael Bay, director of Transformers, has announced on his personal blog that he is not yet supporting the Transformers theme park ride , despite a Universal Studios press release stating that he has approved the project.

He said: "The Transformer Ride at Universal making all the press rounds - not sure yet - they had me in a press release saying I supported it - but Universal has a long way to go in my mind. I don't support it yet - I'm not involved and not sure the story of the ride works, and I know Optimus is not going to just show up to be directed by some new people that have never worked with him. I hate when people bullshit a quote from me that I never said."

He added: "I'll keep you informed. Maybe the guy making the rides at Universal will direct Transformers 3?"

Another helping of American Pie

We may be due to receive another slice of American Pie as rumours say that Universal will be bringing us a fourth theatrical feature film, scrapping the straight-to-DVD spin offs.

Nothing has been confirmed yet, no script has been written and no cast or production date has been announced but, it is expected that the film will catch up with the films newlyweds Jim and Michelle (Jason Biggs and Alyson Hannigan) who tied the not in American Wedding.

BBC responds to prank calls of Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross

The BBC today issued a statement from Mark Thompson, Director-General.

"I would like to add my own personal and unreserved apology to Andrew Sachs, his family and to licence fee payers for the completely unacceptable broadcast on BBC Radio 2.

"BBC audiences accept that, in comedy, performers attempt to push the line of taste. However, this is not a marginal case. It is clear from the views expressed by the public that this broadcast has caused severe offence and I share that view.

"Since Sunday, I have been in regular contact with the senior executives I tasked with handling this issue. The investigation that I instructed Tim Davie to conduct is nearing completion, and I am returning to London to review the findings and, in the coming days, announce what action we will take.

"In the meantime, I have decided that it is not appropriate for either Russell Brand or Jonathan Ross to continue broadcasting on the BBC until I have seen the full report of the actions of all concerned.

"This gross lapse of taste by the performers and the production team has angered licence payers. I am determined that we satisfy them that any lessons will be learnt and appropriate action taken. I have been asked to report to the Trust's Editorial Standards Committee before the end of this week and will discuss with the Trust the findings of the report and the actions I propose."

(BBC Press Release)

New Harry Potter 6 trailer

A new Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince trailer has been released and what a trailer it is too.

It's fast and exciting and makes me wish the film were being released tomorrow but, sadly we still have to wait until next July to see the end product.

Here's the trailer, hope you like it:

Doctor Who preview

This year's BBC Children in Need show on BBC One is to feature an exclusive preview of the forthcoming Doctor Who Christmas special.

The clip, from the special entitled The Next Doctor, will show the first two minutes of a brand new episode for the Time Lord, played by David Tennant.

This never-seen-before footage is a worldwide exclusive and will keep fans all over the globe wondering what's in store for the Doctor's next adventure.

Starring David Tennant and David Morrissey, the two-minute piece will broadcast as part of the BBC Children in Need show on Friday 14 November, BBC One, 7.00pm.


(Courtesy of the BBC Press Office)