I only began watching Dr. Who in the modern revivals as I wasn't even born yet when the old ones were around. However I have seen many of them now and though I can understand why Tom Baker is much loved, I think that David Tennant manages to bring something brilliant to the Doctor. He's an extremely talented actor and he really brings life into the show. It's a shame that Billie Piper decided to leave after only one season with him as they had brilliant chemistry together. I can't think of any other Doctor and assisstant that were as wonderful to watch as them and the 'Doomsday' episode was heart wrenching! I've heard that Billie Piper is returning in season four?? Fingers crossed it's not just a rumour! Though I'm not sure I could bear another seperation between those two!!

Lilly, London,

Adam,

With the destruction of the Time Lords in the Time War the laws governing time look to be unraveling. My bet is that juts like the Master the Doctor will find a way to live beyond his 13th life, but this fact worries me still.

That said I have to agree with those regarding T. Baker. Tennant clearly showed us he cares about the genre with his Dr. Who Confidential directorial debut. However, just like B. Piper he will he's ready to jump the boat. Piper already seems eager to come back seeing as how her career has slowed down already post Doctor Who.

Tennant is a talent, but he is not Tom Baker as far as Dr. Who is concerned and with only 3 seasons he won't have the chance to come close. Eccleston said in his Breakfast interview (see series 1 DVD) that 1 season of Dr. Who is equal to 2 old series. This may be true in running time, but it is staying time that will engrain the doctor in our minds. As a child I knew one doctor even in the 80's b/c of this fact alone.

Pavlos, Huntsville, Alabama, USA

david tennant is so sexy and the best doctor so far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jane, walsall,

Christopher Ecclestone and David Tennant have done a fantastic job in introducing Doctor Who to the new generation, and being a fan since the 80's it was great to see the show back on our screens.

However as all 'classic' Doctor Who fans know the Doctor can only regenerate thirteen times, then it really is the end!Therefore with the Doctor on his tenth incarnation the BBC need to be careful with the Doctor's 4 remaining lives and should consider someone who can commit to the role as Tom Baker once did.

It must be a very tough job to find an actor 'alien' enough to play the Doctor. Perhaps the next generation of actors will provide another Baker-like incarnation? We will see... But for now, if Tennant decides to leave the role in Series 5 then let's bring on Julian Rhind-Tutt to fill his shoes !

Adam, Exeter, UK

Dr. Who is hands down the best show on T.V. today..... Now, Having said that I also agree with some of the other posts, This show is Bigger than D. Tennant! The best Doctor ever is TOM BAKER, not just because of his acting ability, but because he had the foresight to stick with the show for like 7 years, he showed the fans such great loyalty, which is why he is considered arguably the best DOCTOR EVER! Dont misunderstand, Tennant is Good but either do the show or let someone else take the role.

Erick , philadelphia, U.S

Tennant is a mediocre Doctor at best. Eccleston was the best since Tom Baker. And how (in the Forth Season) Can you bring Mickey back(who was trapped with Rose) but not bring Rose back??? That just makes no sense. Also glad to see that there will be a future twist with the Master(season 4), i think regenerating into a female is brilliant. Best of luck to Joanna Lumley in the role

J, Sunrise, USA/Florida

David is the definitive Doctor for our time, as well as hugely popular and well loved by so many fans. I have seen many of his other tv and film performances and am always astounded by his versatility and his incredible ability to create a character. I cannot wait to see David's take on Hamlet and Berowne next year. And, if we have some DW Specials as well, it's all icing on the Tennant cake and much appreciated here!

Harriet, Sydney, Australia

(continued)... Let him go, have a haitus, and come back refreshed. After all, a happy person makes a better actor, and everyone loves how good he acts, eh? ^_~

Kristy, Taylor Ridge, USA - IL

David's portrayal of the 'Doctor' is, well, "fantastic" of course! Never has there been a better actor for the role, and I daresay he's the only reason I watch it. If he were to leave the show permanently, I'm sure many fans would leave along with him. BUT he says he'll be coming back, so come on, have some patience? Even childhood dreams can take their toll on you, and the filming of this show is really a full-time job when you think about it. For him acting in the theatre is like a break, a vacation without having to actually 'get away from it all.' In a stage performance, barring rehearsals, you do it once from start to finish. You do it again another day, if it's set to go another day, but each performance is start to finish, and that's what he's used to. Acting for the TV is full of breaks and repeats, takes and retakes, almost like the whole thing is just a bunch of rehearsal. It can be fun, and riveting, and fabulous I'm sure, but it's not his roots. It's not the theatre.

Kristy, Taylor Ridge, USA - IL

i love David Tennant, the Doctor and the whole show and it is so annoying that he is leaving but i think that they should at least let him go off to Rose in a paralel world so he is happy and then do the odd bit of world saving because maybe the thing he wants but can never have should be given to him not just leaving him heart broken or 'missing'. but perhaps that is too boring for Doctor Who but what ever Russel Davis rights will be breathtakingly clever and top noch so what does it matter anyway?! but i am glad that Mr Tennant has something to cheer him up after his mothers death and i know that the BBCwill just be counting down the seconds until he can come back to our screens some time in the futer and at least we have some more time with him before he leaves and as he is such a great actor he will have me in fllods of tears untill then.
i am glad that they haven't scrapped Doctor Who all together though!! oh well i will have to live on with the comfort that he is back soon yay!

Lara Bethell, Telford/Shropshire, England/Midlands

Are people not reading this article? It doesn't say he's leaving - it just says he's having a year off, hence 'taking a break' and 'expected to return' and that they'll 'film three extended bank holiday specials to keep fans happy during 2009'...I agree that he is a popular (and foxy) Doctor but hopefully he'll be back in 2010!

Jo, Bristol,

This is cool not only will we get to see David on the stage he is also going to say with Dr Who thank God for that now all I have to do is get some tickets for Hamlet.

Sally, Pontefract,

Tennat is an awful Doctor Who , he runs around shouting , hollering and whooping, looking and sounding like a demented salesman. Why can't he talk in a normal voice? Every sentence is delivered at a 100 miles per hour , and in one breath, as if he had just finished a marathon. Bring back Tom Baker I say.

Uche George, London, England

I guess I am in a minority, but I MUCH preferred Christopher Ecclestone's performance because Tennant's habit of opening his eyes VERY wide all the time got on my nerves! And the Doctor never was supposed to find a love interest in his earthly companion - so why not allow a young couple to find him, and they could interact with each other romantically instead of giving some of us queasy moments when the ages seem too far to bridge!

Meg Hunter, Northport, ME

David Tennant is the very best Doctor ever, and could never be replaced. He has added so much to the character, and brought so many different emotions & depths never before seen. Should definitely have the marvellous Jemima Rooper as a companion, they would have a brilliant rapport. Miss the wonderful Billy, but think Jemima could bridge that gap.
Thank you David!

Sue Bell, Madron, Penzance, Cornwall, UK

"He has agreed to film three extended bank holiday specials to keep fan’s happy during 2009."

For the love of God take that apostrophe out of "fan's" it's making me feel ill. Don't we have standards any more?

graspee, accrington, england

If David Tennant wishes to pursue other projects then he should do so on a full time basis thus allowing the opportunity for another actor to take his place as the famous Time Lord. The excellent Julian Rhind-Tutt should be the next Doctor - he is perfect for the part. The choice of Catherine Tate as the Doctor's next partner is, in my opinion, disastrous for the series and perhaps it will need a break from the airwaves to recover but with a new doctor and companion taking over in series 5.

G Brown, Morpeth,

Has anyone actually considered that the BBC have had specials for 2009 planned all along, and David's planning his schedule around them, rather than the other way round? Still, in any case let's just be thankful that the show's future is stable for the time being - Tennant is a fantastic Doctor and when he will eventually leave, it will be hard to fill his high-profile Converse. Not impossible, just very hard.

Sophie, Peterlee, England

i agree bring bak eccelstone he is way way better! ECCELSTONE 4 Doctor...we should start a campaign!

jahedur, london,

The BBC's press release says that Tennant will star in the 2009 specials, but doesn't say whether he'll still be playing the Doctor when the series comes back full-time in 2010. This story indicates that he will, but it seems just as likely to me that we'll have a regeneration in the last of the 2009 specials and a new Doctor for Series Five in 2010.

Josiah Rowe, Cheshire, Connecticut, USA

well david tennant should/nt really because kids would not want him to go beacause whoever i have asked they have said david tennant is the best doctor there will ever be in doctor who history not only has he made a huge name he is the best doctor so can he stay for a bit longer . this is my chance to say but if tom baker was the doctor for a wowing 6 years then can/t tennant do the same please can he stay a bit longer please!!

meral alizada, hangleton, england

David Tennant IS the Doctor for this generation and I am glad he is not regenerating quite yet when next year's series credits roll. I think this is a unique and most effective way to keep him on a bit longer and look forward to see what the writers come up with for these specials. He was great in his debut series in 2006 and has gotten even better with this past series.

Matt, JVille,

I've loved every minute of NuWho and particularly David Tennant's funky Doc, but good on him for doing something completey different, and good on the BBC (in an extremely brave decision) for allowing him the opportunity. I will be counting down the days between the 2008 and 2010 seasons, and rewatching my boxed sets (and maybe Blackpool and Casanova as well). Break a leg David!

Lyndell Geeves, Launceston, Tasmania

You've got to be joking! While I respect David Tennant's wishes to perform on stage, I am baffled by the BBC decision to accept no series for 2009. Just try this in America and the show would be dead in the water before you even got wet.

Do they realize that other actors have played the Doctor in the past and could also be called upon for "special episodes"?

I cannot even imagine the BBC allowing Tom Baker or Peter Davison to do this (again, respecting Tennant's decision, perhaps he should leave then). The show is bigger than one person.

Kurt, Apple Valley, USA / Minnesota

i cant belive david is going the only reason i watch doctor who is because hes in it and because its good and hes sexy omg please dont go u said this was your childhood dream so why are you giving it up?

Hannah Hawkins, Bristol, England

wow i can't quite believe it congrats to Mr Tennant of cource but this will be a big blow to england having to know accept another Doctor i will miss him very very much but i do hope he will come back. Hey here is an idea maybe he could go off with Rose (Billie Piper) in the paralel world for a year and maybe the doctor from a paralel world could come to us. know that wouldn't be so bad know would it!! Good luck to Mr Tennat the BBC and the knew Doctor!!
also i am pleased that Doctor Who will at least continue for another few years which i was pleased about as there were rumours that they were scrapping it all together. ireally hope that Mr Tennant will greet our screens for alot longer and alot more than the Doctor who sceries but i do admit i will miss Davids Doctor alot as he is so lovely and good lucking too!

Lara Bethell, Telford/Shropshire, England/Midlands

Congrats to David Tennant, he deserves to get the VERY best roles! I will miss his Dr. His charismatic performance has actually converted my older family members to start watching the show. I hope there will be lots more movie and guest roles for him in also.

Elaine , Auckland, New Zealand

If we can't have the sexy David Tennant can we please have Christopher Eccleston back - PLEASE.

Miss Ann, Dee Why, NSW, Australia

I love David Tennant and think his Doctor is the definitive one for our time. But I would be happiest seeing his Doctor go to Rose in Pete's Universe, and then have a new Doctor back after the hiatus break in 2010. I think the Doctor and Rose deserve a little time together...and what better way to do it than to have the Doctor "on-call" rather than constantly traveling? A series of specials might do this fantastically. Then, when we are all ready for the regeneration in 2010...the show can go on as it always has...new Doctor...new producer...new stories to tell.

Raeann Young, Memphis, Tennessee

How wonderful for Mr. Tennant to be able to do both! I'm so happy for him! Of course, I'm also sad to be losing a regular series, in '09, but still--very glad he's in it for the long term. Also sad I won't see his Hamlet, I'm sure it'll be a performance to remember.

Nancy, Glens Falls, USA NY

it would be sad not to see David Tennant playing the doctor anymore. I don't know why but there's something about this doctor I had never seen before ... He's a terrific actor and sure he wants to pursue his carrer on stage... I hope this agreement is fulfilled and we all have our 10th doctor back for 2010... it is a long wait... I know ... but nothing a short travel on tardis can solve....

Cristian A. Fuenzalida, Santiago, Chile

"He has agreed to film three extended bank holiday specials to keep fan’s happy during 2009. "

Perhaps Dr Who will be able to teach children some basic English language skills.

Matthew Edwards, Reigate, UK