8 Doctor Who Fan Theories That Became Fact

Before he was appointed as Doctor Who's head-honcho, Moffat was one of showrunner Russell T Davies' most trusted writers, delivering standout Ninth/Tenth Doctor stories like The Empty Child, and Blink.

The Girl In The Fireplace - his second effort while working under Davies - sees the Tenth Doctor form a special bond with Madame de Pompadour, with the two characters getting to know each other both physically (ahem), and mentally.

At one point, the Doctor looks inside her mind in order to procure some information, but at the same time, she can now see into his mind as well. She feels how lonely he was as a child, before sensing that his real name isn't just a simple moniker, and that it bears a much greater significance:

"Doctor. Doctor who? It's more than just a secret, isn't it?"

This was Moffat theorising that the reason why the Doctor never speaks his name is because of a higher power, a greater reason - something that makes it important for him to keep his lips sealed. And how do we know Moffat was theorising this? Well, because he worked it into the show over five years later!

In the latter stages of Series 7, we learn that the Doctor's name is the code-word that opens the door to his grave, a dangerous place that must never be discovered. Then, later on, his name becomes the password that will allow the Time Lords to return to the prime universe - a return which would incite large-scale war.

In other words, the Madame's assessment - and Moffat's theory - were bang on.