OK, correct me if I'm wrong on any of this.

I heard somewhere that originally, before they decided to bring back Catherine Tate for series 4 of Doctor Who, RTD was going to create another romantic interest for the Tenth Doctor, with the idea being that Martha would bridge the Doctor's progression from Rose to the next person.

Now, I've always thought that River Song was a concept created by Steven Moffat, and was included in the story as a seed for his later plot threads, and perhaps he knew at that point that he was next in line for show runner.

But is it possible that River Song was the original idea for the fourth series companion? After all, the same basic idea played out. The Doctor got over Rose and started a relationship with River off-screen. Perhaps RTD passed the mantel of filling out her story to Moffat after he left.

Plus, and this is a bit of a spoiler regarding Peter Capaldi's previous roles in Doctor Who
This isn't a huge deal or anything. I just think its interesting.

I don't think so. RTD discusses it in "The Writer's Tale".

The character was Penny and was another 'ordinary girl' that the Doctor bumps into. The character had no resemblance to River Song at all.

Dang >.>

I hated the whole River Song idea anyway!! The Doctor (IMO) was better off with Rose! Or better still - Donna!!

Well that's that. Thanks for clearing it up.


And that's that. Thanks for clearing it up.

Frankly though, I didn't need to see David Tennant or Matt Smith (or anyone for that matter) cuddling up with Catherine 'warts' Tate...