Except how would you or the other person know he's "up himself"? Were you there to witness his conversation with Moffat?

No. It's a stupid thing to start casting aspersions about people's characters just because you aren't happy with their decisions.

Did he stick two fingers up? Did he throw his toys out of the pram and storm off in a sulk? Did he agree to do it and then have a hissy fit and change his mind? No! he met with Moffat, thought about it carefully and decided not do to it but also wished them luck with the production. How on Earth does any of that show a lack of respect?

Higher up the ladder - are you joking?

I think that if he had stayed in the role too much longer, (though I would have loved him to), it could have held back his highly successful career - he may have become typecast.

Having a well known actor in the role for the return of Doctor Who made sure that it came back with a bang.

Gonna upset a lot of people here but if I'm, honest I'm kinda glad. I dislike Ecclestone for no apparent reason (hey, at least I'm honest!) and I don't particularly like Nine. Infact I'm *trying* to read through the anniversary book releases (those paperback white ones with the 50th logo and a book for each doctor) and I'm kind of struggling to read through 'Only Human' simply because it's a Nine story.

I like Ecclestone as the doctor, I like most of the doctors in one way or another. He did a good job and brought something different to the role. I also think it is wrong to assume an understanding of things that occurred, when to be honest no one really knows the truth.

What I will say is that within doctor who there existed a gang an 'in crowd', that used the show to make 'in jokes' and seems to have pushed their own agenda with their own people. Whether you like the output or not, this type of strategy can backfire and doesn't always work.

My personal belief is that a project is devalued and becomes vulnerable when personal bias and preference is given priority over the end product, which should be the most important goal at all times.

There are countless times within the Piper, Tennant, Barrowman triad, where the script spoke to the three of them more than it did to us and I resented this part of the show.

So if Ecclestone is in any way referencing a clique within the doctor who hierarchy, then I believe that it existed, and I understand from his comments that there may have been friction between the two parties. If this is the case, and as none of us were witness to what occurred, I think it somewhat distasteful that people would actually hurl insults at the decisions he made.

It is a shame he will not be in it, but he doesn't owe me anything.

BIB. I never thought this.

I know the three of them had fun together, and I think Barrowman said something about preferring working with Tennant rather than Eccleston because Eccleston was a bit too serious, but to be honest, I'd have been on Eccleston's side in this. People like Barrowman give me a headache. (Though I love Jack).

OK, I'll rephrase that - Ecclestone doesn't have a defence that we are aware of.

Because it would do him no harm (he would actually earn money and respect) and it would make a lot of people happy. Like I said, a decent human being would do it.

No it wasn't.

This post shows you have lost the argument and are resorting to stupid remarks.

Well perhaps he doesn't need money or your respect?

You are the one who is making stupid remarks by insulting people just because you feel that they should do exactly as you please. You are doing nothing except demonstrating a very ugly side of Doctor Who fandom.

Yet again you are missing the point by a mile.

You never thought some of the script was directed towards the real life of tenant, piper and barrowman and the internal relationships between the 3 of them?

In Turn Left, when Piper sat on a bench talking to Donna and mentioned how great Tennant's hair was - you think that was added into the script for your benefit?

All I am doing is having the nerve to disagree with you, which for some reason you seem not to be able to handle. Like a poster said to you up thread, you shouldn't be surprised that people have different opinions to your own on a forum. There is nothing "very ugly" about me holding the opinion I do about Ecclestone which is based on the available facts and evidence. I am happy to change my opinion if alternative evidence becomes available, unlike you, who has a closed, narrow mind.

And as I said before I do not have a problem with different people's opinions or disagreements. What I take exception to is posters personally insulting people, and making all sorts of wild accusations and unfounded allegations. Some people like the ninth Doctor, some people don't. Some people are glad that he's not in it, others are disappointed. All perfectly fine but what is unacceptable, in my humble opinion, is to then start personally attacking actors or other members of the production team just because they make a decision that you personally don't agree with!

Here's a thing I noticed, while everyone is arguing here.

This story hasn't been repeated or run on the BBC website, BBC News Online, or any respectable UK newspaper's online content, barring the Independent.

I'm not saying DS isn't right, just odd that so many places are skipping the opportunity for a few DW column inches and fan-baiting, which they normally love. Yes, even the broadsheets.

I know I shouldn't get involved in CE discussions because they always get a bit heated, but I can't help it.

Eccleston is perfectly entitled to not appear in the Anniversary Special if he doesn't want to.

I personally don't give a fig if he doesn't. I admire him as an actor, but don't much like his Doctor.

However, I can't help thinking that whatever Moffat has planned, he would probably have preferred to have the last 3 Doctors appearing together. Indeed, he must have wanted that, if he even asked CE to be in it, given how adamant CE has always been about not coming back to DW.

You only have to read this thread to see how disappointed some people are.

I can't help but feel that CE has decided that his own feelings are more important in this than anyone else's. He could have put them aside and done a couple of day's filming, (and as The Gatherer says, it's not as if he wouldn't get paid for it!), to please the fans.

The conditions which prevailed when he was the Doctor no longer apply - so it's not as if he would be compromising his principles.

There may be other factors - he may be too busy, we don't know. But I feel it comes over as mean spirited. I can't see why other people don't see it like that. tbh.

Yes, and where exactly have I done that?

1 No, I didn't.

2 Yes, I did (as a Tennant's hair fan).

Exactly!

My first thought when reading your post was the Tenth Doctor whispering 'please, please, please, please' in 'The Poison Sky'.

Got to say that I'm disappointed. And that's not just because Eccleston was my favourite Doctor, but also because despite not getting him on board for it (to the point the article states there was never any intention to do so) they've still opted to go for a Multi-Doctor event.

As much as I love the Classic Doctor's, for such a big event I understand that a bunch of old men running around in largely ridiculous costumes isn't the style they're going to be going for, and it does nothing other than play up to nostalgia. But if you can't get the four more recent actors together, then I'd try something entirely different and just celebrate all ten previous Doctor's in passing references. I'm not much for Tennant at the best of times, but now I'm actually disappointed to know he'll be in the 50th (something I wouldn't have minded if he was sharing the screen with Eccleston or McGann in the same episode).

Stranger still, I cannot believe that I ever bought into the idea that Eccleston would be won over. I still hugely respect the man for sticking to his guns, though I feel that whatever direction the 50th now takes, I'll feel at least a little let down. I'll reserve judgement for now of course, but I lost quite some enthusiasm today.

You accused him of having his head up his arse.

Well, since you put it so nicely. I can certainly see that you have a point