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From The Sunday Times
April 6, 2008

It’s ok to think Doctor Who is gay, says David Tennant

Last night David Tennant returned to the small screen as Doctor Who. The 36-year-old is considered by many viewers to be the best incarnation yet. Far from milking his celebrity, though, he hardly ever speaks to the press and is wary of adding his name to worthy causes. In this rare interview, his former landlady talks to him about his religious background, his hybrid car and his views on fame. She also reveals what she knows about his steely character and his flamboyant take on clothes

David Tennant
Arabella Weir meets David Tennant

Since he was just three years old, David Tennant has passionately wanted the role of Doctor Who. No doubt he wasn’t the only one who thought he could play a Time Lord – but it was an unlikely aspiration for a boy who, like Gordon Brown, was a son of the manse.

And unlike all those other little boys, he did indeed grow up to play the Doctor – currently in his 10th incarnation on Saturday night television.

His father, the Rev Sandy McDonald, is a Church of Scotland minister in Paisley, near Glasgow. So David went to church regularly all through his childhood – and his father also happened to be the minister for his primary school.

According to David, Sandy is “a dramatic, lively, engaging and entertaining speaker” (and I can attest to this, having seen him in the pulpit).

Was it witnessing the effect and popularity of his father’s addresses, I ask, that drove him towards acting as a career?

“Possibly. I was very young when I decided that’s what I wanted to do, so it’s hard to know how much of a conscious influence Dad was.

“I remember, after seeing Jon Pertwee turn into Tom Baker in Doctor Who, having a conversation with my parents at a very young age about actors and what they did. I remember getting the distinction between a character and an actor, as they explained it. I understood what fiction was very clearly – and I always feel uneasy when people talk about children not understanding the difference between fantasy and reality.

“I can only have been three, and was just enthralled by [Doctor Who]. But I was quite clear that I didn’t want to be a Time Lord – I wanted to be the person who played a Time Lord,” says David, who had to change his surname to Tennant when he started acting because there was already a David McDonald in Equity, the actors’ union.

His parents, though always encouraging and supportive, tried to steer him towards more secure careers.

However, David tells me that he “never once wavered” from his chosen path – rather extraordinary, considering that he’d decided on his future while still a preprimary school toddler. Steeliness is probably his defining characteristic – and he was obviously just as steely then as he is now.

We know each other well, having first met in October 1993. As a jobbing actor, I’d gone to Glasgow to play a part in a series called Takin’ Over the Asylum – about a hospital radio station based in a mental health facility. My first scene was with a young Scottish actor – it was of course David, who was playing a bipolar teenager.

He was 22 and had only just started acting, yet his confidence and determination were extraordinary. We hit it off straightaway, and early the following year he moved to London where he rented a room in my house for five years.

His subsequent success owes much to his aforementioned steeliness. That is not to say he’s ruthless, unkind or lacking in generosity; quite the contrary. But he is absolutely determined – in fact enviably so for a man in a business that positively engenders insecurity and self-doubt.

He has always been able to look after himself. At 17 he left home to go to live in Glasgow – first with his older sister and then with a succession of fellow students – until he graduated from drama school in 1991. This made him unusually self-sufficient for his years.

And he’s very organised. When we lived together I was always teasing him about his alphabetised CDs, for example.

Still single (the tabloids have, usually erroneously, linked him with various women, including Kylie Minogue), David is pretty careful in all his choices. The only area in which he goes positively mad is in his choice of clothes. In fact his wardrobe can be very flamboyant, which is why those who know him quickly gave him the monicker of “metrosexual”.

In the early days many of my friends (principally male, I’ll admit), thought that he must be gay. “He has to be – you’re his best friend, and look at the way he dresses,” they’d protest.

Leaving aside the suggestion that an association with me reflects on a man’s sexuality, I had to break it to them that just because a guy wears a red velvet suit and is able to form a close friendship with a woman he isn’t sleeping with doesn’t necessarily mean he’s homosexual.

David, meanwhile, took all this teasing in his stride; he is so unmacho and fair-minded that the speculation about his sexuality never bothered him . “Why would it?” he’d say. Now, that’s what I call a real metrosexual.

In all the time I’ve known David he’s never been out of work. It’s not that he is the best actor in the world – it’s more that his success is down to a fusion of talent and unshakable self-belief.

It’s quite bizarre witnessing how famous he’s become. Often, when we go out together, large groups of women will visibly go weak at the knees. Does he mind being pestered by fans?

“It comes with the territory,” he says. “Some days it’s tricky; other days, not at all – and, anyway, who am I to complain about how hard it is to be famous? It’s not.”

Unlike some, David doesn’t leap indiscriminately at the endless party invitations and goodies offered to celebrities; he’s also increasingly reluctant to give print interviews.

Is this because he’s a control freak, I suggest, and doesn’t like the idea of not being able to control what’s written about him?

“Erm, it is slightly controlling of me, I agree,” he says. “But it’s all too easy to become defined by your press cuttings. I’m much happier going on a radio show and talking nonsense for 20 minutes. I’m an actor, after all.”

He also subscribes to the Marlon Brando take on actors who sound off about world affairs: “Just because a guy’s famous doesn’t make what he thinks interesting.”

But, I point out, I know he cares about climate change – and he did just buy a hybrid car.

“Exactly,” he replies. “Now, I’m clearly no Al Gore, but I liked the idea of doing my bit. And then you get someone telling you that the environmental cost in manufacturing a [Toyota] Prius [petrol-electric car] is worse than driving some gas-guzzling monster for 10 years.

“I have no idea what the truth is, although of course I should have found out. The person who told me that may have a grudge against Toyota. So I really don’t want to get into the trap of sounding off about anything I don’t know enough about. It’s very easy to get seduced into believing your opinion is informed just because people ask you for it.”

What about using celebrity to promote a worthwhile cause – isn’t that a good idea?

“It is a fact that sprinkling a bit of celebrity over certain causes probably can make a difference. And maybe it’s pompous to sit at home thinking that I want to preserve my integrity when, actually, if you waved a wee flag for something, it might make a few quid for a worthy cause.

“It’s a balancing act that I find a bit of a struggle, to be honest. Mostly I just muddle through, trying to do the decent thing from moment to moment.

“Is it churlish to have the power to influence things and choose not to because you fear being misrepresented? I don’t know. I don’t manage to be consistent about it, anyway. I’m never sure how vain to be.”

It takes a cool head not to be inflated by the news that fans voted him the best Doctor Who of all time, in a BBC magazine survey. And they will certainly be pleased to know that David hasn’t come close to tiring of his Time Lord role yet. Indeed there are three feature-length specials on the horizon.

Meanwhile, he is about to take on the arguably more challenging role of Hamlet for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Naturally, he’s quite nervous about scaling this particular rock-face – but then, if he weren’t, he’d probably cock it up. “I always have that Presbyterian voice in my head, saying, ‘Could do better’,” he admits. “But I quite like that.”

The new series of Doctor Who continues on Saturdays on BBC1

I have been watching DW since the 70's and there will always be someone reading or watching that has their own agenda in mind as to how a character should look and act. I'm happy that David has the good sense to not be defind by the roles that he plays although each person has their own perspective.

Cheryl Hanson, Lincoln, United States

Brilliant - an actor who doesn't feel the need to jump on every spangly celebrity bandwagon or constantly court the press. I loved this interview - it's so good to read something that isn't just a regurgitated press release. Clever, witty and engaging - and the interview isn't bad, either!

Miranda, Stourbridge, UK

I read the article twice and even used a word-find ... but where does he say anything about Dr.Who being gay? What he says is he himself does not mind if people think David Tennant is gay, but that's not the same thing, is it?

mrG, Sauble Beach, Canada

david tennant is one of the most sexiest men on tv today. that says it all

s. turner, cleveleys, lancashire

Now Dr Who with a male assistant, that could be an interesting angle? However I think it should be left as is. I do think David would make an interesting gay character not like the overbearing Captain Jack in Torchwood!

Sean, Luton, UK

Doctor Who is gay....Gay please?
Everybody here should watch the Seinfield episode which dealt with his sexuailty catchphrase being on the lines of I don't have a problem with that....
So who or what is next Dr Who is Dr Who for kid's to enjoy............

diago, Santiago, Chile

David Tennant is by far my favorite Dr. Who! And who cares, and frankly its nobodies business whether the Doctor or David are gay or straight. I just enjoy a good show!

Michelle Q-D, Brookline, MA, U.S.A.

I don't think anybody should go around working out what someone's sexuality is or is not. I don't think you can define what gay is, or straight is, or bisexual is. It's just who people are and what they do at a given time

coen sickinghe, Amsterdam, netherlands

The sexualising of Dr Who is nothing new, Dalewill of Wellington. Remember the furry bikini of Leela in the 70's.....Sorry, I'm going to have to have a lie down!

Mike , Leeds, UK

I see where you are coming from, but he's not gay. I would accept bisexual. He is too broad a character to be confined by sexuality. Besides, not even the Doctor can resist a bit of Captain Jack.

David is a hell of a man to admit that though and not be phased by it. Good call Mr. Tennant

Katy Mitchell, Manchester, UK

I'd like to see Science Fiction for a change on TV instead of this awful Science Fantasy trend which seems to pass as Sci-Fi these days.
Bring back the Jon Pertwee era... :-)

Stuart Halliday, Livingston, Scotland

Does every TV programme have to be sexualised?
First Coronation Street, then Doctor Who?
To my mind Doctor Who went downhill when they cast Billie Piper and sexualised the assistant. Now the Doctor has had to go the same way.
Bah humbug. It's cheap, it's cynical, and it's third rate.

Dalewill, Wellington,

I don't know about the Doctor being gay, but get the plunger on that Dalek! Mmmm.

joe, birmingham, uk

He is a eligible actor who play on the screen. I am looking forward to watch his brilliant performance in Doctor Who.

madeline, Shanghai, CHINA

Why do the PC gang have to shove gayness down our throats at every opportunity?
I have no trouble with non violent or non aggressive homophobia.
I have a right to my opinion of what is perverted behaviour

plato, ely, uk

This is a really nice article. Thanks Arabella.

Emm, London,

Iam not homophobic, but is it ok for me to think of Dr Who as not gay or will the Politically Correct Police come for me in the middle of the night?

Mike, Liverpool, UK

I think David Tennant is the best Doctor Who since Tom Baker.
I think Tennant is a really good actor. My favourite 10th Doctor episodes are: New Earth, Girl in the Fireplace, Doomsday, Gridlock and Last of the Time Lords. I hope Tennant stays on as the time lord. He shouldn't leave too soon.

Daniel , Marton, New Zealand

In fact, Arabella was quite modest herself, given that she's also played the Doctor, albeit on audio:

http://www.bigfinish.com/6-Doctor-Who-Unbound-Exile

Stu, Liverpool,

I hadn't really been exposed to Who before the new series came out. But when a friend in London ordered me to watch it, I soon fell in love and started searching out episodes of the original series. I love them all for different reasons, and it even sparked some memories of watching the Tom Baker series as a young child that I'd forgotten about.
When I watched the new series, I thought it couldn't get any better than Christopher Eccleston. I was wary when David Tennant came along, but sure enough, now I think it couldn't possibly get any better than him. :) That's the magical thing about Dr Who - you fall in love with him no matter what.
As for the headline, yeah, that's a bit baffling... I have to say, though, I really respect Mr Tennant's attitudes toward whatever sexuality he may lean toward, as well as his attitudes on celebrity. Quite refreshing!
He seems like such a nice bloke, and the fact he's Scottish like me makes me happy. :)

Heather Lawver, Washington, DC, USA

Tom Baker was my introduction to Dr. Who back in the early 80's when i was very young. i was allready of fan of sci-fi and british comedy, allo allo i beleive it was called abotu ww2 spys in france or something. anyways i fell in love with the whole premise of the show and of course the Dr. himself.

at first i was very sceptical abotu the new series when it was released in the U.S but quickly fell in love again with it's chessey(yes cheesey) stories and campy humor.

Mr. Tennent is a fantastic actor and a great doctor but i will allways love tom baker since he is the WHO i like best.

but i do like Mr. Tennents attitude towards celebrity and the enviroment, good job to him.

chris anaya, osage beach, Missouri, U.S.A.

Nice article -- but where did the headline come from? Mr Tennant at no time addresses his character's sexuality (and says virtually nothing about his own, which is most definitely his right). What difference does it make, in any event? And what business is it of anyone's besides Mr Tennant and those with whom he may choose to have a romantic relationship?

Gemma, Kentwood, Michigan, U.S.

As a long time Doctor Who fan, (Tom Baker's doctor was my introduction to the series), Tennent is the best yet.. my entire family loves him.

As an aside, Mr. Tennent, Al Gore isn't the Al Gore he presents himself as being, so please don't hold him up as some ideal.

Mary, Warwick, RI, US

LOL, when I first say an advert for Casanove, I thought he was Richard Hammond! Now I know different of course. I love watching Doctor Who, and good for him staying all down to earth. Good plan!

SArah, Portsmouth,

Very possibley the biggest fan of David Tennant having been one of the screaming fan girls - never seen him in person though. :( Love him in Doctor Who of course and Casanova, blackpool and most things. Reading this interview was great, as is anything he says. I noticed the 'wee flag' - loving the scottish accent! Thanks for the article, and making us sure he's still single. Unfortunately may be a bit young!!1

Sandy, Surrey, England

I really rated him in Takin Over the Asylum and thought he was one to watch. Of course, the same series also starred the brilliant Ken Stott.

Linda, Fife,

Very nice article. I just love David Tennant and already have tickets to see him in Hamlet and Loves Labours Lost in the fall. It is nice to see someone so confident in his acting and still have a very grounded personality. I have the DVR set for April 18th! I also love his glasses! He is the sexiest Dr Who ever!

Stephanie, Austin, USA/TX

Nice interview, but what's this with all the weird hyphens? "self-suffi-cient" "Kylie Min-ogue". Do we need word-building for toddlers? If it is a result of cut-and-paste from the paper edition, the hyphens linking lines, the Times should be able to cope better, surely?

JF, London,

As a point to note for those outside the UK, and on a similar point to the idea of people being interviewed by their friends, David did a show on BBC Radio 4 where he was interviewed by Catherine Tate. The show, Chain Reaction, has one actor or comedian being interviewed by a fellow performer. For example, after Catherine interviewed David, the following week he interviewed Richard Wilson. Check out the BBC's listen again service as the David/Catherine show was a hoot.

Kim, London, UK

What a wonderful actor and a wonderful person. I really enjoyed this article. I can't wait for April 18, when the wonderful Sci-fi channel brings the new season of Doctor Who to the US. I think David has wonderful taste in clothes and I especially love his glasses.

Pat, Rochester, USA/NY

Great interview, very interesting to read about an actor who is so
very talented, but who is also modest and unassuming.

zsa zsa, Truro, Cornwall

Wonderful article, every reluctant celebrity should have friends write about them. As to David's flamboyant taste in clothes, my gay friends assure me that it is proof that he "isn't".

Edna, South Hadley, Massahucsetss/USA

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