DOCTOR WHO - DOCTOR WHO REPLACEMENT ANNOUNCED

Bosses of cult TV series DOCTOR WHO have announced the successor to replace CHRISTOPHER ECCLESTON, who shocked fans when he quit the sci-fi show last month (MAR05).

Scottish actor DAVID TENNANT will play the tenth Time Lord in the hit BBC programme next year (06) - following Eccleston's decision to leave after one series to avoid being typecast.

Tennant, 33, says, "I grew up loving Doctor Who and it has been a lifelong dream to get my very own Tardis

"Taking over from Chris is a daunting prospect - he has done a fantastic job of re-inventing the Doctor for a new generation and is a tough act to follow."