No Christopher Eccleston in 50th special

The BBC has confirmed that Ninth Doctor Christopher Eccleston, has decided that he will not take part in the 50th Anniversary Episode.

The statement follows reports in the tabloid press that the actor had pulled out of the story just as filming was due to begin. However the BBC makes clear the actor was never contracted for the story which is currently in production.

A BBC spokesman explained
Chris met with Steven Moffat a couple of times to talk about Steven's plans for the Doctor Who 50th anniversary episode. After careful thought, Chris decided not to be in the episode. He wishes the team all the best.

Christopher Eccleston played the Ninth Doctor when the series returned in 2005, staying with the show for just one season. In 2011 he gave an interview saying he left the series because of politics and because he did not see eye-to-eye with senior members of the production team. He has stated how much he enjoyed the role and fans had hoped he could be persuaded to make an appearance in the 50th Anniversary Special.

An appearance from the Ninth Doctor in the story may still be possible using archive footage from the series.

Filming has continued this week, with Gelligaer Common north of Caerphilly playing host to the TARDIS (times two) yesterday. Jenna-Louise Coleman was present for recording scenes involving her on the Doctor's anti-grav bike, and a helicopter was also present during the morning. You can read a summary of events up in the hills via the She-Goat: blog.

Meanwhile, John Hurt was at the BAFTAs yesterday, with the BBC report saying: "Hurt revealed he had come to the event from filming Doctor Who, for its 50th anniversary, in Cardiff.".

AND ANOTHER one

Former Doctor Who star Christopher Eccleston turned down the chance to star in the 50th anniversary episode of the long-running sci-fi show.

The actor, who played the ninth reincarnation of the Time Lord when the BBC revived the show in 2005, met writer Steven Moffat to discuss the anniversary.

A BBC spokeswoman said: "Chris met with Steven Moffat a couple of times to talk about Steven's plans for the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary episode. After careful thought, Chris decided not to be in the episode. He wishes the team all the best."

At least one living former doctor - David Tennant - will return for the one-off show after it was announced he and Billie Piper, who played companion Rose Tyler for two series, will join the current Doctor, played by Matt Smith, in the programme.

But fans might still get the chance to see Eccleston's portrayal of The Doctor as show bosses are rumoured to be planning to use old footage of previous doctors for the special show.

It reminds me of Tom not returning in 'The Five Doctors'.
Pity as i find Chris still unbeatable to the role when it comes to Nu Who, though i am enjoying Matt Smith's portrayal in the current series. Hopefully a cameo from the 8th dr or even 7th will bring some nice magic to the special.

Not really surprising that he would choose to not be involved... shame though. He's far and away the best of the Nu MDs

Now if they could get 8 involved... that would be terrific.

Cruel Angel wrote:

Not really surprising that he would choose to not be involved... shame though. He's far and away the best of the Nu MDs

Now if they could get 8 involved... that would be terrific.

Definitely not surprising, still disappointing regardless.

I would love to see 8 in action on the TV again!

His loss. I wonder if Eccelston even registers how popular he is with the fandom?

At least he was in 'talks'. I would love to hear his reason why he said no in the end.