Matt Smith will be departing Doctor Who in this years Christmas Special. Quite frankly Im gutted. Of course I get that Doctor Who is always about change. Feeling this way about a departing Doctor is something all fans should feel. I was also gutted when David Tennant announced that he was leaving after the 2009 specials. And even though it was (rather stupidly) announced that Christopher Ecclestone was leaving at the start of his one and only series, by the time Bad Wolf and Parting Of The Ways came on our screens, I was sad to see him go. I can only imagine how fans of Classic Who felt with the passing of each Doctor, something I have only experienced through an immensely enjoyable three years retrospective viewing of all the old doctors. But you know what, Matt Smiths departure is worse for me than David Tennants. Both were excellent Doctors with some amazing stories, who had/have the capacity to make even the weaker ones light up with their presence. But looking back over David Tennants story arc, I can now say that I think he achieved everything he needed to do as the Doctor. His rebirth from the battle-scarred Ninth Doctor. The expansion of his companion family culminating in that great scene of them all flying the Tardis in Journeys End. His eventual steps towards isolation and the fateful confrontation with John Simms Master and the Time Lord legacy he destroyed in The End Of Time. As sad as it was to see him go, the Tenths Doctor story had reached its conclusion. Now for me, the Eleventh Doctor has so much more to give. He wiped any feeling of loss over David Tennant in the opening moments of his first story, The Eleventh Hour with the excellent fish custard scene. He has had great chemistry with all his companions and recurring cast members. And some cracking story arcs. Ive loved every appearance of him on screen. Also, maybe its just me, but I dont want a regeneration in the Christmas Special. For me, the grimness of the Tenths oncoming regeneration made The End Of Time the most depressing of the Christmas specialssomething Im not looking for over the Christmas holidays. I would much have preferred if Matt Smith has announced he would be in series 8 and then regenerated two or three episodes in. THAT would have knocked it out of the park. And maybe, there are still some surprises in store for us. And maybe, there will be a scene ten minutes into the opening of series 8 where we think Matt Smith who? But that doesnt take away from the fact that Im gutted about his departure. This article looks at why I feel Matt Smiths eleventh doctor has been an amazing Doctor (my favourite of them all) and why his departure will be a great loss to Doctor Who. Feel free to comment below. Thats the great thing about Doctor Who. Everyone has his or her favourites. Maybe youre as gutted about his departure as I am. Or maybe youre ready for change? Let me know!