As production begins on the first special of 2009, Planet Of The Dead, the BBC has released a video diary from David Tennant recording his return to Cardiff and to Doctor Who.

The video is also available via the official website. Content may not be available outside the United Kingdom.

David Tennant has returned to the role of Hamlet at the Novello Theatre in London.

A press release from the Royal Shakespeare Company reports that Tennant has made good progress following his recent back operation. The company will be assessing his progress a day by day basis. Ticket holders are advised to check the RSC Websitefrom 12 noon each day for an update for that evening's performance. Alternatively, please call the theatre box office.

The production ends its run at the Novello Theatre on 10 January.

Posted By Brigadier Bill

The Royal Shakespeare Company has revealed that the skull used by David Tennant for the "Alas, poor Yorick," scene in 22 performances of Hamlet at Stratford-upon-Avon had been donated to the RSC after the 1982 death of pianist Andrew Tchaikowsky.

In his will, Tchaikowsky wrote that his skull "shall be offered by the institution receiving my body to the Royal Shakespeare Company for use in theatrical performance".

Since then, it has only been used in rehearsals because no actor felt comfortable enough using it on stage in front of an audience.

In 1989, actor Mark Rylance rehearsed with it for a while, but in the end it was decided using the skull for performances would not be appropriate and the real thing was returned to the props department, where it resided in a tissue-lined box for almost 20 years.

It remained there until Greg Doran, who directed Tennant in Hamlet, retrieved it for his production. "It was sort of a little shock tactic. Though, of course, to some extent that wears off and it's just André, in his box," Doran told the Daily Telegraph. He added that he did not want the story to get out before Hamlet opened. He said: "I thought it would topple the play and it would be all about David acting with a real skull."

UPDATE - DECEMBER 3: The skull is not being used during Hamlet's run in London for fear it will distract the audience, according to a BBC News report today. The production previews at the Novello Theatre from today and has a limited engagement until January 10. Earlier this week, it was reportedthat fake tickets for the London performances had begun circulating.

David Tennant will be leaving Doctor Who at the conclusion of the 2009 specials currently in production, the actor announced live on stage this evening at the National Television Awards.

The Guardian newspaper this evening broke the story prematurely, reporting on their website (in a report subsequently pulled down) that Tennant is "vacating the TARDIS and leaving the BBC's Doctor Who series at the end of next year. Tennant's decision brings to an end his popular four-year tenure as the time lord." The article went on to say that the BBC had confirmed that the actor "would complete the filming of four special episodes to be screened this year and in early 2010, as well as 2009's Christmas special."

The BBC Doctor Who website has now posted the full news: "I've had the most brilliant, bewildering and life changing time working on Doctor Who. I have loved every day of it," the actor says. "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. ... 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." Tennant added that he "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." He furthermore says that he feels "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." Says Russell T Davies, "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!"

Says the BBC News site, Tennant is quoted as saying, "I love this part, and I love this show so much that if I don't take a deep breath and move on now I never will, and you'll be wheeling me out of the Tardis in my bath chair." Tennant also says, "I think it's better to go when there's a chance that people might miss you, rather than to hang around and outstay your welcome," he said.

Tennant will appear in this year's Christmas special, as well as four specials being produced for 2009 and 2010 airdates by executive producers Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner. Tennant confirmed to BBC News that the four specials for 2009/2010 will be "the four last stories that I do." New incoming executive producer Steven Moffat will then take over the series with new leads as the show returns for a normal, fifth series of episodes in 2010.

More details as they come in...

Doctor Who has just won the Most Popular Drama award, and David Tennant has received the Outstanding Drama Performance award, at theNational Television Awards this evening the UK.

According to the official Doctor Who website, Catherine Tate (who collected the Drama series award alongside Executive Producer Russell T Davies) said "I know it's won the award for the last three years, but I was sweating that we wouldn't the year I joined!" Meanwhile, Tennant accepted his award in a live video feed from Stratford, where he his currently performing with the RSC.

Tennant also chose the moment, while accepting his award, to announce that he would be leaving Doctor Who at the conclusion of the four specials for 2009/2010 now in production (see separate story).

The BBC News website is reporting that the new Royal Shakespeare Company production of "Love's Labour's Lost", starring David Tennant, has proved a critical hit. The play is being staged in Stratford-upon-Avon in tandem with "Hamlet", in which Tennant also stars, until November 15th.

Says the article: "According to BBC arts correspondent Razia Iqbal, Tennant began rehearsals for Love's Labour's Lost 'almost immediately' after Hamlet opened in August. 'The RSC may have another hit on their hands, which is surprising given the play is Shakespeare's most forgettable early comedy,' she said." The piece also includes praise from critics Neil Norman and Michael Billington, and notes that Tennant performs his role in his native Scottish accent.

A lost sequel to "Love's Labour's Lost", called "Love's Labour's Won", featured in the 2007 Doctor Who episode "The Shakespeare Code", starring Tennant as the Tenth Doctor.

Posted By Brigadier Bill

With some people camped out overnight and some 270 people lined up outside, 6,000 tickets for Hamlet starring David Tennant at the Novello Theatre in London sold out in under three hours, BBC Newsreports.

"We're very pleased that the play is accruing so much interest," an RSC spokeswoman said.

Tennant has been playing the title role with the RSC at Stratford-upon-Avon. It transfers to London in December for a short run.

Some tickets for the Novello performances will be available at the box office on each performance day for that day only.

"The great news for us is that it's encouraging that younger contingent of theatre-goers, which is one of our real aims. David has been wonderful in encouraging those people to come," the spokeswoman said.

The Royal Shakespeare Company's new production of Hamlet starring David Tennant in the title role has officially opened with positive reviews from many British newspapers.

Benedict Nightingale, critic for The Times, says the production "gives Tennant the chance to show the world that he has the range to tackle the most demanding classical role of all - and, praise be, he seizes it. I've seen bolder Hamlets and more moving Hamlets, but few who kept me so riveted throughout." He also has high praise for Patrick Stewart in the dual role of Claudius and the ghost of Hamlet's father. Also in The Times, directorGregory Doran discusses the cuts he made to the play's text.

In The Daily Telegraph, Charles Spencer says that Tennant "isn't in the pantheon of the great Hamlets yet" but adds that he "discovers almost every ounce of sarky humour" and "is at his best though when he dares with his emotions and lets rip." The Telegraph has a photo gallery with images from the production. Also in the Telegraph, former National Theatre director Richard Eyre discusses the challenges of the play and the title role.

Paul Taylor, reviewer for The Independent, notes that "it's pure snobbery to suppose that Doctor Who fans and people who can appreciate Hamlet are mutually exclusive groups." He writes, "Tennant is adept at most aspects of the role but he excels when the prince becomes a prankish provocateur."

Writing for The Guardian, Michael Billington calls the RSC's production "one of the most richly textured, best-acted versions of the play we have seen in years" and says that Tennant "has no difficulty in making the transition from the BBC's Time Lord to a man who could be bounded in a nutshell and count himself a king of infinite space." The Guardian also has an interview with Doran and a gallery of photographs from the production.

BBC News calls Tennant's performance "undoubtedly mesmerising. What he lacks in emotional intensity, he makes up for with wit, humour and stirring energy." It also has a video interview with Doran, who discusses casting Tennant and how the company handles the unusual attention this production has drawn.

The prominent coverage of this production has included leading articles (editorials) in The Times and The Daily Telegraph (scroll past the bit about French holidays).

The international press has also noticed the Hamlet madness: the Associated Press discusses the two science fiction stars leading the RSC's production.

Thanks to the members of the Doctor Who Forum's "Media Watch" thread.

Posted By Brigadier Bill

The Royal Shakespeare Company has set limits on what fans can bring to be signed by David Tennant and Patrick Stewart during the upcoming production of Hamlet. BBC NEWS reports that sci-fi related murchandise will not be allowed for the actors to sign.

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) says only programmes and other Hamlet merchandise can be autographed at the stage door. "Due to the huge amount of interest in the RSC's current production of Hamlet, only Royal Shakespeare Company or production related memorabilia will be signed by members of the company," the RSC said. "It is very flattering that there is so much interest in this production, but the sheer volume of requests means that we need to set some limits which will be as fair as possible for everyone."

Tennant and Stewart are starring in the RSC production at the Courtyard Theatre, in Stratford.

The play opens on 5 August.

Posted By John Bowman

Today's edition of The Sun says David Tennant is being offered one and a half million pounds to stay on as the Doctor for Series Five.

In what it claims to be an exclusive, it quotes a source as saying: "He's interested. Everyone thought he was going, but it's not as open and shut as that."

Click here for the full report - but beware, as at the end it names a character it says is returning in one of the specials.