[Susan Foreman]

April 16th, 2005 - 15 years ago today, David Tennant is announced as the new Doctor

The Star

"CASANOVA star David Tennant is the new Doctor Who, the BBC confirmed last night.

He will take over from Christopher Eccleston as the 10th incarnation of the timelord.

Tennant, 33, who also starred in Blackpool, had been hotly tipped since Eccleston's shock announcement that he is quitting after just one series.

He said: "lam delighted, excited and honoured to be the tenth Doctor. I grew up loving Doctor Who and it has been a lifelong dream to get my own Tardis."

Tennant paid tribute to Eccleston, 41, describing him as a "tough act to follow". Writer Russell T Davies revealed he is already working on Tennant's first adventure as the Doctor.

Dr Who has been a massive ratings-winner for the Beeb and a new 13-part series and Christmas special will begin filming in Cardiff in the summer."

The Sun

"CASANOVA heart-throb David Tennant told of his joy last night after becoming the new Doctor Who.

David, 33, is currently appearing as the legendary 18th Century lover in the raunchy BBC drama.

The Sun told how BBC1 chiefs wanted him to take over the Tar-dis when Christopher Eccleston quit after one series.

And last night, the Scots actor told TV Biz it was a childhood dream come true. He said Doctor Who had spurred him to become an actor. And he added: "I am delighted, excited and honoured to be the tenth Doctor!

"I grew up loving Doctor Who and it has been a lifelong dream to get my very own Tardis. Chris has done a fantastic job of reinventing the Doctor and is a very tough act to follow."

David will be paired with Billie Piper. seen with him right. who has signed for a second series as the Doctor's feisty sidekick Rose Tyler.

He will make his debut during a Christmas special after the current series ends in a battle with the Daleks.

In it, the Doctor saves Rose from death but his life is left in the balance. Rose can only save him by helping him regenerate.

Executive producer Julie Gardner said: "David is a great actor who will build on the excellent work already done by Christopher in establishing Doctor Who for a new generation.""

Daily Telegraph

"DAVID Tennant, currently starring in the BBC drama Casanova, will take over as Doctor Who in the second series of the resurrected show, the BBC confirmed last night.

Tennant, 33, whose credits include Blackpool and He Knew He Was Right, will star with Billie Piper, who returns as the Doctor's companion Rose.

Confirmation of Tennant as the 10th Doctor comes two weeks after the BBC announced that Christopher Eccleston, 41, the current Doctor, was quitting the show after just one series. The BBC later apologised to him for "falsely" saying that he had quit because of fears of burn-out and being typecast.

Eccleston's resurrection of the role, back on BBC1 after 16 years, has won almost 10 million viewers and widespread praise. His final appearance in the role will be a Christmas special after which Tennant will take over for a 13-show series, written by Russell T Davies, who wrote some of the present series and Casanova.

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

"Taking over from Chris is a daunting prospect. He has done a fantastic job of reinventing the Doctor.""