BBC talks, 2005

Remember the furore over Chris Ecclestone leaving Doctor Who in 2005? The Outpost got closed for a weekend to let everyone cool down, I think we were close to a fatwa being issued.

Turns out I didn't really help matters....

31st March 2005

Quote:

BREAKING NEWS I can exclusively reveal that the Shakespearan actor Michael S Collins, best known for his villian roles of Shylock in "The Merchant of Venice" and Don John in "Much Ado About Nothing" has been in talks with the BBC about not taking over from Christopher Eccleston. A unnamed BBC spokesperson said, "Michael is exactly the sort of calibre actor we have no desire to be The Doctor. Although his excitement at even being considered for a split second is somewhat disturbing. Frankly he's too young anyway." Collins, 19, reacted to the news in the usual way - he got drunk and slept with three girls. Qouted, he noted, "I really want to be the Doctor, but its probably a decade at least too young just now. Maybe I could be the Cyberleader, or The Master?" He can be seen in "Much Ado" again in July. The BBC are expected to make a further announcement on who will not be the 10th Doctor later today.

I still think it was funny. But apart from Neal Douglas, no one saw the funny side.