[I love tea]

I loved him, he was brilliant in the role I felt, its a shame things ended the way they did but you never know, he may change his mind at some point in the future!

[Collins1965]

I think CE brought Doctor Who back with a bang, and for that I thank him. I am a bit sad that he seems to want nothing more to do with it, but that is his personal choice.

I would have loved to have seen a 9, 10 and 11 storyline for the 50th, but alas, it will not happen. However, I do not feel hard done by because of this - I'm sure whatever SM comes up with will be just fine (and divide the fans as always )

Perhaps, as other posters have said, CE was a bit naive as to all the baggage that comes with the job - even DT was taken aback by it and he was a Doctor Who nerd to begin with!!!

[Abomination]

Eccleston has a lot of integrity, and left the show with dignity as well. Despite only featuring in 13 episodes of the show he made as large an impression as Tennant or Smith have done, I think.

I don't want to get carried away, but he is my favourite Doctor to this day as I think he balanced the serious/fun aspects of The Doctor perfectly. Tennant and Smith do struggle at times to find a believable balance, and I say that as someone who has enjoyed both of them in the role.

So what if Eccleston has severed all ties with the show? Billie Piper and John Simm are arguably the only actors exclusive to Nu-Who that made headline-comebacks to the series, but their returns received mixed receptions (I personally liked Rose's comeback, but not The Master's). It's understandable that he wouldn't want to come back under another Doctor, breaking that perfect self-contained appearance from Series 1.

A slight tangent, I'm slightly glad that Eccleston wouldn't come back for a Multi-Doctor story. If one is to happen it is likely to be next year, but I think I'm in a minority that wouldn't like to see one happen. This is a show with almost limitless possibilities, and I think it's a real opportunity to use a budget to do something far more imaginative.

[sovietusername]

They should have got Paul McGann to play the Doctor. It was a shame he got so little screentime as 8, they should have just brought him back but without any referneces to the movie or the classic series so he does just what 9 did, introducing new fans ti the show without swamping them with continuity references

[Gene the Cow]

Perhaps, but I do like the cult type following McGann has as 8 through the books and mostly through the excellent Big Finish stories which may not have happened/continued if he had been put back on TV.

Plus we wouldn't have Matt, Karen and Arthur!

[pajs1000]

Originally Posted by sovietusername

They should have got Paul McGann to play the Doctor. It was a shame he got so little screentime as 8, they should have just brought him back but without any referneces to the movie or the classic series so he does just what 9 did, introducing new fans ti the show without swamping them with continuity references

I agree 100% Paul has allready stated that if he get's a call regarding the 50th then he is in.

[lach doch mal]

Originally Posted by pajs1000

I agree 100% Paul has allready stated that if he get's a call regarding the 50th then he is in.

I don't.

I loved CE as the Doctor, he could act with his eyes, he was "fantastic". He brought back Doctor Who with a bang and he is still my favourite New Who Doctor. I would have loved another series with him. He was a damaged Doctor, a coward and someone who also was willing to commit genocide.

Never understood why people didn't like him on the forum (actually it took me a long time to get used to 10 after the fantastic 9). He was so much better than 8.

Of course this is all just my opinion.

[Tumpy]

Chris is my favourite Doctor. I think that he was fabulous.

[OhWhenTheSaints]

He was brilliant now respect his privacy.

[daveyboy7472]

Originally Posted by lach doch mal

I don't.

I loved CE as the Doctor, he could act with his eyes, he was "fantastic". He brought back Doctor Who with a bang and he is still my favourite New Who Doctor. I would have loved another series with him. He was a damaged Doctor, a coward and someone who also was willing to commit genocide.

Never understood why people didn't like him on the forum (actually it took me a long time to get used to 10 after the fantastic 9). He was so much better than 8.

Of course this is all just my opinion.

I think you answered your own question there, Lach! Everyone has a different opinion of each Doctor and what they like to see in a Doctor. Me personally, thought the mix between the serious and funny stuff was off-balance most of the time. The Blitz episodes were the only time it was actually right imvho. Plus I didn't like his over assertive and rude persona. Felt so much more comfortable when Tennant took over and more humour was introduced in the role.

[Craigpugh]

*Knocks on door of thread*
"Mornin', sign here please,"
*Proffers clipboard*
"Large delivery of troll food- this is the right thread, ain't it?"

[Muttley76]

All I'm going to say is that Chris Eccleston is a man of great integrity who did a lot more for this show than it ever did for him, and that he deserves a hell of a lot more respect than he got from others connected with the show, the BBC in general, and indeed elements of fandom than he has ever got.

[codename_47]

Only in Doctor Who do you get the fans that demand the lead actor is as big a fanboy as they are
(Yes, it worked out great for Tennant, Matt wasn't a fan by any means at first but appears to have done his homework...)

Even Star Trek fans, who society loves to sneer at as uncool, don't mind their lead actors being Shakespere fanboys who aren't that bothered about the Franchise that keeps them on stage when they're not Trekking through the stars...

Who fans seem to want their lead actor to be one of them because it perpetuates the idea that they themselves could one day play the lead role.
Its like every time a thread arrives asking who people think should play the next Doctor and the cliche answer is "I think the next Doctor should be at least 40+", they justify it with some obtuse character reason or memories of what the Doctor was like 30 years ago, when in reality, deep down they're thinking "because I'm 40+ and I want someone to identify with" etc

The series should just go for the best actor they can get, regardless of if they grew up on the series or if they've never heard of it.

Chris is pretty much just that.
While I remember hearing he did enjoy the series as a child, I'm not sure he was a massive fan and now his time is over he's not going to be on the convention circuit or anything.
He's too busy for that.

He shouldn't be punished by fandom for treating his acting job as just an acting job and not a way of life...

[sohoguy]

Chris made the show what it is today. No way would it have been the success it was without that key piece of casting.

And he did a LOT for the show when it was on. Even appeared on Blue Peter.

We owe him a HUGE amount.

[drw1963]

Originally Posted by chuffnobbler

Sorry OP; on the face of your initial post, I think you are barking mad.

Should Christopher Eccleston not have got the role because he "will only sign merchandise"? Is that the point you're trying to make? Please clarify because I really don't understand you.

The point that I was trying to make is as follows:

Why bother signing up to be a lead role in a highly charged TV show, leave after 1 series and then say that you will only sign merchandise and not be involved in the show itself even if it's for an anniversary.

So what if there's BS politics going on backstage. Enjoy the role, because shows like this come around once and that's it.

And another point, he left because of the fear of being a typecast, so?

Being in Doctor Who doesn't restrict you from doing other roles.

[daveyboy7472]

Originally Posted by sohoguy

Chris made the show what it is today. No way would it have been the success it was without that key piece of casting.

And he did a LOT for the show when it was on. Even appeared on Blue Peter.

We owe him a HUGE amount.

Though I agree as the First Doctor of the New Who he helped get the series of to a good start, I thoroughly disagree that he was the only actor out there who could have taken on the role at that point and made the same impact. There are dozens of actors out there who could have come in and done the same thing. I even think some of the Classic Doctors in their heyday could have been cast and been just as good. Even Tennant would have had the same impact if he'd been cast from the off.

I also have the same opinion about William Hartnell who started of Classic Who. It's hard to imagine anyone else playing the First Doctor now after all these years and his contribution to the show is enormous and help set down the template for every other Doctor but I still believe whoever Verity Lambert would have cast would have done exactly the same thing.

Also, appearing on Blue Peter isn't exactly exclusive as many of the Classic Doctors did as well.

Just also to point out, this isn't me having a pop at CE because I'm not keen on his Doctor. I have nothing against him, seen him in other roles and he's been superb.

[Hallamsteriscoo]

Originally Posted by drw1963

The point that I was trying to make is as follows:

Why bother signing up to be a lead role in a highly charged TV show, leave after 1 series and then say that you will only sign merchandise and not be involved in the show itself even if it's for an anniversary.

So what if there's BS politics going on backstage. Enjoy the role, because shows like this come around once and that's it.

And another point, he left because of the fear of being a typecast, so?

Being in Doctor Who doesn't restrict you from doing other roles.

I think reason you're so worked up about this (or at least appear to be) is because you're a fan and you think everyone should think about the show in the same way you do. Christopher Eccleston was not a fan of the show and had never been. He even stated on an interview for BBC Breakfast that when the classic series was being aired he would be off out playing, but that he would watch the regenerations as he found the concept fascinating.

No one involved in the making of Series 1 knew how the show would be received by the viewing public and so, as he also said in the interview it was a gamble to take on the role, but I get the impression from him that he's a "been there, done that, lets move on" kind of person, and if things were happening that he wasn't happy with he wouldn't hang around to put up with it. I can respect that, at the end of the day, first and foremost, he's an actor, and he wants to try as many roles as he can during his career (let's put it this way he's no Bill Roach), so if he doesn't want to appear in the 50th Anniversary special then that's up to him, as fans we should respect that decision, for him it was just a job (that, in my opinion, he was excellent in) on his CV and now he's doing something else.

I don't know where you get the idea that he would only sign merchandise from, can you provide a link to an article where you've read that as I'd be very interested to see it.

All anecdotal evidence that I have seen shows me that he is always polite and respectful to fans if they approach him (he was nothing but complimentary in the interview above), and as fans I feel we should show him the same courtesy that he shows us, and if he should so wish it we should leave him be.

[chuffnobbler]

Originally Posted by drw1963

The point that I was trying to make is as follows:

Why bother signing up to be a lead role in a highly charged TV show, leave after 1 series and then say that you will only sign merchandise and not be involved in the show itself even if it's for an anniversary.

So what if there's BS politics going on backstage. Enjoy the role, because shows like this come around once and that's it.

And another point, he left because of the fear of being a typecast, so?

Being in Doctor Who doesn't restrict you from doing other roles.

"BS politics" can ruin a workplace. CE has always kept quiet about what happened, but clearly there were odd things happening offscreen in series 1. CE was not prepared to accept that. He is a man of principle, and his political/social beliefs are well known. He did not want to stay on a show where there were weird things happening.

I am not sure he ever mentioned typecasting; despite that it is notable that the C20th Doctors got typecast to a greater or lesser extent (Tom Baker hardly worked for a long time, and ended up giving in and acceptingt he mad personnal he had gained through the role). I can quite understand CE not wanting to get bogged down with playing kid-friendly oddballs. He took the job to try to break out of the typecasting of playing serious, gloomy, intimidating characters ... he did the job and he moved on with another box ticked on his CV. There will be all sorts of reasons behind his decision about whether or not to return: is he going to be asked? Is there going to be a multi Doctor story? Which Doctors would that involve? Will he get much to do? Will he be owrking on something else at the time? Is it a two-day job that's not worth him turning up for?

I don't follow your argument about him signing merchandise. Is it a good thing or a bad thing, that he is signing merchandise? I'd have thought a good thing, surely. I've not seen him advertised doing any conventions or signings: he seems perfectly content to be acting in a wide range of roles, pushing his career forward.

And bloody good for him!

[dgembadgemba]

I have to agree Hammy

Chris is my least favourite doctor, but not because of any of the things listed by the OP. His version just didnt appeal to me as much as the others. But I LOVE Chris as an actor. Playing the Doctor can cause huge issues for an actor since it has a huge amount of baggage associated with it.

When they sign up they are not told "right you must go to conventions and sign anything thrown at you and always be willing to speak, at length about the show with a smile on your face". They do the job and then walk away

Having recently attended a convention i can tell you that the actors are often bombarded with questions about the show, I was only there 3 days and the questions were getting repetitive so i cannot imagine having to sit there and field the same questions from fans over and over. Especially if DW was just one of many roles of their career.

Also whilst i question the "only sign official merchandise" point (yet to find evidence of that as i know loads of people that have got his autograph), sometimes this is drawn up by convention organizers to dissuade people from buying "knockoff" merchandise

[korbany]

Originally Posted by Muttley76

All I'm going to say is that Chris Eccleston is a man of great integrity who did a lot more for this show than it ever did for him, and that he deserves a hell of a lot more respect than he got from others connected with the show, the BBC in general, and indeed elements of fandom than he has ever got.

Have to say I fully agree.

Chris is a truly decent bloke, a fantastic actor and really gave his best shot at playing the Doctor. He was always obliging and friendly to the fans, and very approachable.

I think perhaps many people misunderstand Chris, partly because he is very professional and deeply intense when it comes to acting. That of course is because he cares deeply about his work.

I respect Chris for the way he stood up for what he believed in, and unlike certain other cast & crew didn't air his issues in public, but rather kept a respectable silence.

An all round top gent, and an iconic Doctor.

[Granny McSmith]

Originally Posted by lach doch mal

Never understood why people didn't like him on the forum (actually it took me a long time to get used to 10 after the fantastic 9). He was so much better than 8.

Of course this is all just my opinion.

I think it was the other way round for me - I had hoped for 8 to return, and when we got someone so different from him, I was a bit taken aback. Though when I saw "Rose" I thought CE would make an excellent Doctor. Later, I changed my mind.

Like davy, I found CE's balance a bit off - I always felt the humour was forced, except in the wonderful Empty Child 2 parter (That's how to do it, Moffat!).

I felt he wanted to be in a much more serious and much less cheesy programme, hadn't realised entirely what he was signing up to, and couldn't wait to get out.

All the stuff about things happening backstage sounded a bit odd to me. What exactly went on that CE couldn't stomach, but that DT and MS find perfectly acceptable? Sounds like he's saying he's morally superior to everyone else, to me.

I respected him as an actor before, but the events of his leaving DW put me off him a bit.

Having said that, He's perfectly at liberty to do what he likes re DW - he needn't have anything at all to do with it if he doesn't want to. It's entirely his choice.

[Hallamsteriscoo]

Originally Posted by Granny McSmith

I think it was the other way round for me - I had hoped for 8 to return, and when we got someone so different from him, I was a bit taken aback. Though when I saw "Rose" I thought CE would make an excellent Doctor. Later, I changed my mind.

Like davy, I found CE's balance a bit off - I always felt the humour was forced, except in the wonderful Empty Child 2 parter (That's how to do it, Moffat!).

I felt he wanted to be in a much more serious and much less cheesy programme, hadn't realised entirely what he was signing up to, and couldn't wait to get out.

All the stuff about things happening backstage sounded a bit odd to me. What exactly went on that CE couldn't stomach, but that DT and MS find perfectly acceptable? Sounds like he's saying he's morally superior to everyone else, to me.

I respected him as an actor before, but the events of his leaving DW put me off him a bit.

Having said that, He's perfectly at liberty to do what he likes re DW - he needn't have anything at all to do with it if he doesn't want to. It's entirely his choice.

I don't think it makes him sound superior at all, more that he's a man of principle who's not prepared to put up with crap, plus there's a very good chance that the person/people that CE clashed with were no longer part of the team by the time DT or MS went to set, for instance there were three Directors that only directed episodes in Series 1.

Here's what CE himself had to say on the matter: http://badwilf.co.uk/?p=820

[dgembadgemba]

Originally Posted by Granny McSmith

I think it was the other way round for me - I had hoped for 8 to return, and when we got someone so different from him, I was a bit taken aback. Though when I saw "Rose" I thought CE would make an excellent Doctor. Later, I changed my mind.

Like davy, I found CE's balance a bit off - I always felt the humour was forced, except in the wonderful Empty Child 2 parter (That's how to do it, Moffat!).

I felt he wanted to be in a much more serious and much less cheesy programme, hadn't realised entirely what he was signing up to, and couldn't wait to get out.

All the stuff about things happening backstage sounded a bit odd to me. What exactly went on that CE couldn't stomach, but that DT and MS find perfectly acceptable? Sounds like he's saying he's morally superior to everyone else, to me.

I respected him as an actor before, but the events of his leaving DW put me off him a bit.

Having said that, He's perfectly at liberty to do what he likes re DW - he needn't have anything at all to do with it if he doesn't want to. It's entirely his choice.

Have you never known that one person who everyone else seems to love but you cant stand to be around?? Either in school or in a professional setting? If not you are a very lucky person

Personalities clash all the time. What is good for the goose is not good for the gander. It certainly doesn't mean he feels morally superior.

[Shevk]

Originally Posted by Granny McSmith

I felt he wanted to be in a much more serious and much less cheesy programme, hadn't realised entirely what he was signing up to, and couldn't wait to get out.

All the stuff about things happening backstage sounded a bit odd to me. What exactly went on that CE couldn't stomach, but that DT and MS find perfectly acceptable? Sounds like he's saying he's morally superior to everyone else, to me.

Series one was a learning curve. There wasn't really a precedent for mainstream, primetime fantasy drama. The newness of what everybody had to contend with must have been stressful for all involved. I'm sure there was a difference in the working environment for all involved.

I've heard that the Keith Boak episodes caused a bit of a problem. Not sure how accurate that would be.

[CoalHillJanitor]

He's said something about the way Euros Lyn treated the crew IIRC...