David Tennant quiting Doctor Who – Russell Brand quits BBC2

Actor David Tennant will be stepping down as Doctor Who, after becoming one of the most popular Time Lords in the history of the BBC science fiction show. Tennant took on the roll in 2005, and will leave after four special episodes are broadcast next year. He made the announcement after winning the outstanding drama performance prize at the National Television Awards.

“When Doctor Who returns in 2010 it won’t be with me,” he said. I don’t ever want it to feel like a job, so I want to move on when it still feels exciting and fresh.

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Russell Brand has quit his Radio 2 show in the huge wake of the controversy over lewd prank calls he and Jonathan Ross made to Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs (story here).

Explaining why he made the calls, Brand said: “I got a bit caught up in the moment.

“I forgot that at the core of the rude comments and silly songs were the real feelings of a beloved and brilliant comic actor and a very sweet and big hearted young woman.”

Brand said he took “full responsibility” for the prank and declared: “I only do that radio show to make people laugh. Obviously it’s gone beyond the point where I do that and I’m making people unhappy and angry and sad. So I’d like to not do that radio show any more.”

Meanwhile Jonathan Ross, who has been suspended by the BBC over the calls along with Brand, said he was “deeply sorry” for his actions. Word is that Ross is too important to BBC radio and will likely only get slapped on the hand.

Update: Jonathan Ross has received a stiff punishment from his BBC bosses. Reportedly he is suspended for 12-week, which will cost him £1.5million. BBC Director General Mark Thompson held back from the ultimate punishment of removing him from the air, but he said Ross, 47, should regard the suspension as a “final warning”.