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Doctor Who guru Davies steps down Doctor Who guru Davies steps down
(40 minutes later)
Russell T Davies is to step down as executive producer of Doctor Who, the BBC has announced.Russell T Davies is to step down as executive producer of Doctor Who, the BBC has announced.
Davies is credited with breathing new life into the show which he brought back to television screens in 2005.Davies is credited with breathing new life into the show which he brought back to television screens in 2005.
Bafta-winning writer Steven Moffat will succeed Davies as lead writer and executive producer of the fifth series of Doctor Who.Bafta-winning writer Steven Moffat will succeed Davies as lead writer and executive producer of the fifth series of Doctor Who.
Moffat said that the whole of his career had been "a secret plan to get this job".Moffat said that the whole of his career had been "a secret plan to get this job".
DAVIES' CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Children's Ward (1993-1995) Touching Evil (1997)Queer As Folk (1999)Casanova (2005)Doctor Who (2005-2008)Torchwood (2006-2008) BBC Fiction controller Jane Tranter said the past four series of Doctor Who had been "brilliantly helmed" by the "spectacularly talented" Davies.DAVIES' CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Children's Ward (1993-1995) Touching Evil (1997)Queer As Folk (1999)Casanova (2005)Doctor Who (2005-2008)Torchwood (2006-2008) BBC Fiction controller Jane Tranter said the past four series of Doctor Who had been "brilliantly helmed" by the "spectacularly talented" Davies.
"As lead writer and executive producer, he has overseen the creative direction and detail of the 21st century re-launch of Doctor Who and we are delighted to have his continued presence on the specials over the next 18 months," she added."As lead writer and executive producer, he has overseen the creative direction and detail of the 21st century re-launch of Doctor Who and we are delighted to have his continued presence on the specials over the next 18 months," she added.
Davies will remain in charge of four specials to be shown in 2009.Davies will remain in charge of four specials to be shown in 2009.
The fifth series, with Moffat at the helm, is scheduled to be broadcast on BBC One in Spring 2010.The fifth series, with Moffat at the helm, is scheduled to be broadcast on BBC One in Spring 2010.
Moffat has already written some of the most spectacular Doctor Who episodes of recent times. Moffat has already written some of the most memorable Doctor Who episodes of recent times, including The Girl in the Fireplace and The Empty Child.
I applied before but I got knocked back 'cos the BBC wanted someone else. Also I was seven Steven MoffatI applied before but I got knocked back 'cos the BBC wanted someone else. Also I was seven Steven Moffat
Earlier this month, he picked up the best writer Bafta for the Blink episode of series three which featured terrifying weeping angels.Earlier this month, he picked up the best writer Bafta for the Blink episode of series three which featured terrifying weeping angels.
Moffat said: "I applied before but I got knocked back 'cos the BBC wanted someone else. Also I was seven.Moffat said: "I applied before but I got knocked back 'cos the BBC wanted someone else. Also I was seven.
"Anyway, I'm glad the BBC has finally seen the light and it's a huge honour to be following Russell into the best - and the toughest - job in television."Anyway, I'm glad the BBC has finally seen the light and it's a huge honour to be following Russell into the best - and the toughest - job in television.
"I say toughest 'cos Russell's at my window right now, pointing and laughing.""I say toughest 'cos Russell's at my window right now, pointing and laughing."
Doctor Who's return after a 16-year break from the screen received praise from critics and fans alike.
Billie Piper and Christopher Eccleston starred in series one of the revamp
Speaking after the first series of the revamped show in 2005 - which starred Christopher Eccleston as the Time Lord - Davies said Doctor Who had been in desperate need of regeneration.
"I love Doctor Who and I love the old Doctor Who," he said.
"But, even with all that love, you have to admit that the name of the programme had become a joke and its reputation had become a cheap joke at that - you know, rubber monsters and shaky sets."
He added: "It's been everything we planned and more, and it's very rarely in life you get the chance to have that happen."