Why Every Lead Actor Left Doctor Who

Eccleston may have lit the torch, but it was David Tennant who ran with it.

Under his watch, Doctor Who became the most dominant show on British television, with the Tenth Doctor achieving some phenomenally high viewing figures throughout his run, including what is still the most-watched NuWho episode of all time – 2007 Christmas special Voyage of the Damned.

Unlike the last few Doctors, Tennant's departure wasn't surrounded by any sort of drama. In October 2008, he made the announcement himself, stating that he didn't want to outstay his welcome, and that, "If I don't take a deep breath and move on now, I never will."

It was a very tough choice to arrive at though, and Tennant did consider staying on for one more series under new showrunner Steven Moffat. The BBC would've gladly kept him too, considering his popularity! In fact, Moffat has since claimed that there might've been plans to consider ending Doctor Who, and that it was a "huge question" whether it could continue without Tennant.

There's no doubt he's iconic in the role, and since regenerating in 2010, he's barely kept away. He's been highly active in expanded media, and returned to play the Doctor onscreen in both the 50th and 60th anniversaries.

Tennant always knew that the deal for the 60th anniversary was for three specials and no more, but based on how things ended, we'll no doubt be seeing him again in the future.