I only ask, because in the new Inspector George Gently pilot last night on BBC 1 there was a big clue.

Well, okay. a coincidence.

It was directed by Euros Lyn.

And a key part of the plot early on was a repeated reference to the phrase - 'The Darkness' - leading to evil deeds.

I guess I could start a whole new conspiracy theory that this 1964 story involves a future incarnation of The Doctor where Martin Shaw pretends to be a Scotland Yard detective to track down the darkness in a remote setting once more.

But, I won't - as, of course, this was obviously pure chance.

Fun, though, and shows you how easy it is to see things that are not there and never intended in Dr Who scripts or,indeed, in any others.

He would be a great choice if they went back to having a slightly older-looking Doctor.

lovely Euros. I hope he comes back to do Who again in the future.

They should go back to an older actor for the 11th Doctor.

Sadly, can't see it happening.

yeah. I mean having an older doctor again would be good. I actually wish they'd managed to keep hold of eccleston for another season or two.

Isn't Judge John Deeds still a live series (in that it has not run its course), and George Gently was a pilot (which could very well make it to a complete series). Martin Shaw would have enough on his plate.

I'm watching you...UPSTART!!!!

Didn't Russell T Davies say that he wouldn't choose anyone over 45 for the role?

maybe you're reading too much into it.

David Tennant ain't leaving yet and no one over 40 will ever play the character so deal with it.

He said ideally he wants the Doctor to be in his 30s or look as though he is. However he didn't say he would never choose anyone older than 45.

You're reading far too much into this. He would be great as the Doctor though.

He's said he couldn't see casting someone like William Hartnell in the part, but that was maybe more a reflection of the fact the first doctor wasn't as heroic as any doctor would need to be now.

On the other hand, Martin Shaw is 7 years older now than Hartnell was in 1963 (62 vs 55). It's unlikely they'd cast anyone that age as they'd think it'd be too hard for the children to relate to them.

I cannnot stand Martin Shaw, he's another one who walks around looking far too pleased with himself. Who else can we chuck in from the TV cornucopia of talent that gets every job regardless of whether they are suited for it : David Jason, Robson Green, Sarah Lancashire. (John Thaw would have been good though)

Sorry you really hit a raw spot there !!!!

Personally I think it would be great to see a female Doctor. Someone with guts that won't take any messing. She could travel around with a young spotty faced side kick like Micky.

Or why not bring back the K9 idea and have the apprentice as a robot or something. It's a long time since a sci-fi programme featured that human/robot relationship.

Warning! Warning! This does not compute!

David Jason. Terrible.

Isn't Martin Shaw a quaker?

Bloody hell, no, no, no, no.

I didn't realise who Martin Shaw was at first, but reading on I relaised he is the one person I really cannot stand to watch on TV. I find him impoosible to watch. Not sure what it is, but I have to turn over really quickly when he is on TV.

He would be a disaster for Doctor Who

Calm down, he's too old to play the Doctor in this day and age and I can think of worse people to play the part than Martin Shaw.

Maybe you don't get the hatred I have for the man when I see him

Bit yeah, I think he is too old to be the Doctor - or will be by the time DT should leave (which will hopefully be a long long time form now).

A certain bookies have these down as possibilites with Robert Carlyle being the favourite, but even he is too old.

Robert Carlyle
David Morrisey
Jason Statham
Richard E Grant
Stephen Fry
Vinnie Jones
Ricky Gervais
John Simm

I would also suspect that Robert Carlyle has too many other options available to him, being an accomplished film actor as well as a TV drama actor. Stephen Fry just seems too busy for anything these days, and Vinnie Jones/Ricky Gervais???

If Ricky Gervais gets to be the next Doctor I'd like to volunteer to be the first member of the lynch mob!!!

Haha Russell Brand, what about him? He can act, so I have heard

You think he`d be a bit ropey then?

He has a tendency to polarize feelings, many like myself would switch off.