As we get closer and closer to Doctor Who's 60th anniversary this November, David Tennant has revealed that he didn't watch any of his previous episodes in preparation for his return to the show - but for a very good reason.
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Speaking in this month's issue of Doctor Who Magazine, Tennant revealed that he "didn’t go back and watch any", partly because he was "terrified", while also teasing that the Doctor and Donna are "not necessarily exactly the same versions of themselves as they were".
Tennant continued: "The Doctor's been three different people in the meantime, so I’m not necessarily the same version of the Doctor that I was before.
"I’m not the Tenth Doctor now, I’m the Fourteenth. Well, strictly speaking we don’t know what the actual number is anymore, do we?"
Catherine Tate as Donna Noble in Doctor Who. BBC
Meanwhile, Catherine Tate told the publication that she didn't go back and watch old episodes either, saying: "Donna doesn’t understand any of it anyway!"
She added: "Neither me nor Donna know what’s going on. I believe my soul is too lowbrow to comprehend what happens. My intellect is too low-rent. It’s quite tricky for me. So it almost would have been counterproductive to put all those adventures into my head."
Tennant has previously called his return to the show a "victory lap", adding that it has meant he gets to "enjoy something that had meant so much to you one last shot before you get too old to do it again".
Following this year's anniversary specials, fans will get to meet Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor, who the star has described as being "emotionally vulnerable" and "lonely", but hiding it with humour.
Doctor Who Magazine.
The latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine is available now. Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer with episodes of the classic series also available on BritBox – you can sign up for a 7-day free trial here.
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James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
