Tennant's 1988 Dream Job

Friday, 5 October 2007 - Reported by Josiah Rowe

David Tennant has said on numerous occasions that playing the Doctor is his dream job. Well, an enterprising individual known asderooftrouser on LiveJournal hasdiscovered proof that Tennant held that opinion as long ago as 1988. Click here to see an excerpt from a 1988 edition of "The Grammarian", a publication of Tennant's alma mater, Paisley Grammar School. Drooftrouser has a transcript of the articlehere, and a photocopy of the original article here. The article refers to Tennant as David MacDonald, his birth name; he adopted Tennant as a stage name because there was another David MacDonald in Actors' Equity.

In the article, Tennant says that he has two screen idols: John Cleese andDerek Jacobi. (Cleese made a cameo appearance in the 1979 Doctor Who story City of Death, and Jacobi appeared opposite Tennant as the mysterious Professor Yana in the episode Utopia earlier this year.)

The "Grammarian" article says: "There is however one particular role which David would love to play – Dr. WHO. The reason? 'I have a fettish [sic] about men dressed in plastic suits !!!!' " It concludes: "Who knows, maybe one day David will be as famous as Peter Howitt (Joey, from "BREAD") who was also a pupil at Paisley Grammar School."

Peter who?

(Thanks to The Researcher on the Doctor Who Forum at Outpost Gallifrey.)

FILTER: - David Tennant

Tennant to be an Extra?

Wednesday, 5 September 2007 - Reported by Anthony Weight

What's On TV and The Sun are reporting that Doctor Who star David Tennant is to guest in an 80-minute Christmas special episode of the popular BBC Two / HBO sitcom Extras, playing himself. The series, written by and starring Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, features celebrity guests playing parody versions of themselves in each episode, and according to the What's On TV report: "TV bosses are keeping quiet about David's appearance in the final episode of the award-winning comedy - but insiders have hinted that it will be linked to his role as The Doctor."

Tennant's girlfriend, Doctor Who guest star Sophia Myles, appeared in an episode of the second series of Extras in 2006.

FILTER: - David Tennant - Press

Blackpool Illuminations

Friday, 31 August 2007 - Reported by Chuck Foster

As reported back in May, tonight sees David Tennant flicking the switch for the annual Blackpool Illuminationsparty tonight (31st Aug). The event will take place around 9:30pm and will also be broadcast live on a BBC Radio 2show presented by Dale Winton (8:30-9:30pm).

More details can be found on the illuminations website, and has been reported today by Pendle Todayand24dash.

Jackie Potter, Strategic Director, Tourism and Regeneration said on 22nd August:

We are absolutely delighted that David Tennant has accepted our invitation to switch on the Lights on Friday 31 August 2007. Blackpool’s Switch On celebrations are enjoyed by a huge family audience and we are sure this will be a popular choice.

The free concert during which he will throw the switch marks the start of Blackpool’s Big Switch On Weekend. We hope that thousands of fans of David, and of Blackpool, will join us in the celebrations and that they stay to enjoy all the free events Blackpool will be hosting throughout the weekend and indeed during the Illuminations Season.

The 2007 Illuminations will also be a delight for Doctor Who fans, as Illuminations bosses are soon to unveil plans for a new display featuring characters and creatures from forthcoming episodes.

Tennant joins an illustrious list of stars to have launched the lights including the fourth Doctor, Tom Baker, who illuminated the town as Doctor Who back in 1975.

Sci-Fi fans are in for a real treat with the 2007 display, as the most menacing, mysterious, and mean monsters from the most recent series of Doctor Who make their Illuminations debut. These new displays are situated outside the Dr Who Exhibition.

FILTER: - Special Events - David Tennant

Tennant hits the stage

Thursday, 30 August 2007 - Reported by Jarrod Cooper

The Royal Shakespeare Company have announced their 2008 line-up, which featuresDavid Tennant in two roles.
From July 24th until November 15th 2008, Tennant will be starring in the title role in Hamlet, alongside Patrick Stewart playing Claudius. Fans of the new series will also be excited to note that from October 2nd until November 15th 2008, Tennant will be playing Berowne in Love's Labour's Lost. Love's Labour's Lost was a major plot point in Series 3 episode The Shakespeare Code.

FILTER: - David Tennant

BBC warns about imposters

Thursday, 30 August 2007 - Reported by Jarrod Cooper

The BBC have issued a statement reminding fans to be alert and watch out for online imposters. "There have been several recent cases of people posing as David Tennant in internet chat rooms and forums - as well as setting up social networking profiles in his name. David would like to point out that neither he, nor Catherine Tate use these kinds of sites, chatrooms or forums, and wouldn't want fans to be disappointed or misled if they thought they were talking to the real actors. We would strongly advise all Doctor Who fans for their own safety to ignore any such postings and not be fooled by impersonators - it will never be David or Catherine online."

Follow-up statement from the Outpost Gallifrey site editor: "We support this statement by the BBC. While David Tennant has indeed visited Outpost Gallifrey in the past -- he has stated so several times in interviews with Doctor Who Magazine and other sources -- he has not posted in our Forum, nor is he likely to, and anyone attempting to post in his name would be immediately removed."

FILTER: - Online - David Tennant

Tennant for a full Four

Friday, 24 August 2007 - Reported by Jarrod Cooper

In an interview with Doctor Who Magazine, Russell T Davies has confirmed thatDavid Tennant will be playing the Doctor for the entire run of series four of Doctor Who.

When asked if the constant tabloid rumours that Tennant would be quitting the show halfway through the next series were true, Davies answered, "No, he's doing the whole series. It was never even discussed that he might leave after six episodes. That's completely invented by the papers."

The story has also been reported on david-tennant.com, which has recently been renamed David Tennant - The Site.

FILTER: - Production - David Tennant - Series 4/30

Tennant Says Thank You

Thursday, 2 August 2007 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

David Tennant has expressed his well wishes toward the users of theOutpost Gallifrey Forum and users of the fan site David-Tennant.com for their donations in memory of his mother Helen McDonald, who died recently.

So far over 8,000 pounds has been donated to the two collections, both in aid of theACCORD Hospice where Mrs McDonald was a volunteer worker and where she spent her final days.

Donations can still be made at justgiving.com. People who donate are asked not to mention David Tennant in the comments section, in order to protect his privacy.

Mr Tennant asked Outpost Gallifrey to share the following message to our readers today in thanks for their support.

I've just heard that users of Outpost Gallifrey have so far raised over £2000 for the ACCORD hospice in Paisley on behalf of my mum. I can't tell you how pleased and proud that would have made her, and how much that means to my family and I at this difficult time.

The work ACCORD do is of the highest standard: caring, sensitive and effective and I can't commend them highly enough.

Thank you all for your generosity and kindness. I assure you, your money will be well spent.

David Tennant

FILTER: - David Tennant

Helen McDonald Appeal Update

Tuesday, 31 July 2007 - Reported by DWNP Archive

More than 6,000 pounds has been collected by fans as part of an appeal in memory of David Tennant's mother Helen McDonald who died recently.

BBC News reports that members of the fan site david-tennant.com have so far have donated more than 4,000 pounds to the collection, which is in aid of theACCORD Hospice.

They also plan an auction to help raise more money for cancer research. Items up for auction include rare artwork and a 2 foot tall ceramic Dalek.

Tennant told the website, "At this difficult time, I can't tell you what it means that you are doing this."

He added: "Thanks to everyone who has been able to make a donation. I promise you, your money will be well spent."

The idea for the collection was first proposed by a group of Outpost Gallifrey Forum members. They have so far raised nearly 2,000 pounds.

Donations can still be made at justgiving.com. People who donate are asked not to mention David Tennant in the comments section, in order to protect his privacy

FILTER: - David Tennant

Video Game Coming

Friday, 27 July 2007 - Reported by Jarrod Cooper

As reported on David-Tennant.com, Top Trumps have revealed their plans for a Doctor Who video game to be released in time for Christmas 2007. An advert for the game appears in the new Doctor Who Top Trumps card pack. No definite information is available at this time regarding which gaming platforms will be required. We will report more details as we receive them.

FILTER: - Merchandise - David Tennant

Helen McDonald appeal

Thursday, 26 July 2007 - Reported by Marcus

A group of forum members have have launched a fundraising appeal in memory of David Tennant's mother, Helen McDonald, who died recently.

The appeal is in aid of the ACCORD Hospice, based in Paisley, in Scotland. Mrs McDonald was a voluntary worker at the hospice for many years and it was where she was cared for in her final days.

Fans who donate are asked not to mention David in the comments section, in order to protect his privacy at a difficult time for him and his family.

Donations can be made at justgiving.com.

The fan website david-tennant.com has launched a similar appeal.

FILTER: - David Tennant

Previous 10 Stories

Tennant's 1988 Dream Job

Tennant to be an Extra?

Blackpool Illuminations

Tennant hits the stage

BBC warns about imposters

Tennant for a full Four

Tennant Says Thank You

Helen McDonald Appeal Update

Video Game Coming

Helen McDonald appeal

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