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| text = HALF-a-century after he first stepped out of the Tardis and into our living rooms, the last of the Time Lords is still thrilling his fans.

Doctor Who is the world's longest-running science fiction TV series, and was originally created to fill the gap on the BBC between the football results and evening entertainment programmes.

But tonight's 50th anniversary special starling Matt Smith proves it has become something much more than its creator — Canadian TV producer and BBC head of drama, Sydney Newman — could ever have anticipated.

Smith and his predecessor David Tennant will be joined onscreen tonight by John Hurt as a third doctor. Viewers will find out what happens when something terrible awakes in London's National Gallery in 2013, while a murderous plot is afoot in Elizabethan England and an ancient battle takes place in space.

With 80 million viewers in 206 countries, Doctor Who is a cult sci-fi classic that has wide appeal across the generations.

When the first doctor William Hartnell wanted to leave the series after three years, the idea of renewing their leading man was born.

Smith — the 11th incarnation of the eccentric doctor — has said nothing can prepare Peter Capaldi for the job of taking on the role.

Smith bows out at Christmas and will be replaced by The Thick Of It star next year.

He said: "I don't think anything can prepare you for the experience of what being the doctor in Doctor Who is but I think he's as ready as he can be.

"I've just said 'Have a good time, mate He'll be great — Peter will hit the ground running and keep flying."

Smith added that he was looking forward to bowing out and said show boss Steven Moffat had given him a great exit.

He said: "I'm really excited about Christmas. I think Steven has written a real belter for me to go out on and I had a great time filming it"
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WHO'S YOUR FAVOURITE?

As the iconic show celebrates its 50th anniversary tonight, Claire

Williamson asked 11 famous faces which Doctor they loved best

OVER the much-loved sci-fi programme's 50 years, 11 actors have played the Time Lord, from William Hartnell to Matt Smith.

Ina recent survey, David Tennant was voted the nation's favourite. While many Northern Ireland stars were in firm agreement, the Scot wasn't everyone's favourite Tardis tenant.

Broadcaster Eamonn Holmes has been a lifelong fan of the show and named Hartnell as the best incarnation. "He was my favourite because he was the first one and it all seemed so much scarier then," he said.

Citybeat Breakfast show presenter Stephen Clements picked Tom Baker as his favourite.

"I have a Tom Baker doll in my mum and dad's house and that is 1 the last time I watched it, he said.

"I loved him — he was so dramatic and his voice was amazing. I didn't really watch the new ones but Tom Baker and his fantastic scarf can not be forgotten about."

Baker was also the choice of UTV broadcaster Frank Mitchell.

"On a Saturday night when I sat down and Tom Baker took over — that was the Dr Who I watched," he said.

"I was lucky to get the chance to meet Tom Baker and while I am a fan of Doctor Who, I am a bigger fan of Tom Baker."

Actor Dan Gordon said he remembers watching Doctor Who from behind the sofa.

"Daleks, ice warriors, sea monsters — it was terrifying," he said. "Your favourite is always the one that you grew up with. For me it would have been Patrick Troughton and Jon Pertwee."

Harry Hamilton, frontman of the Flash Harry Queen tribute act, also chose Jon Pertwee. "I enjoyed how eccentric and engaging he was to watch," he said.

The Voice UK contestant Conor Scott picked Christopher Eccleston as his favourite because he was "really different in the role".

The Voice UK winner, Andrea Begley picked David Tennant as he "brought something new to the role".

Also in the Tennant fan club was Apprentice star Jim Eastwood. He said: "David Tennant elevated the role to more global success and I think that is be-rang', he comes across as more normal and likeable rather than the zany, wacky doctor." Former broadcaster Lynda Bryans said Tennant had made Doctor Who worth watching again.

She said: "Doctor Who used to scare the life out of me.

"But when David Tennant came along he made it worth watching again."

BBC presenter and producer Vinny Hurrell crowned Tennant as his favourite.

"Definitely David Tennant. He was brilliant at the drama and also brought some great humour to the role."

Cool FM presenter Pete Snodden said: "If I had to chose a favourite it would be Tennant"
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Travelling through space and time, each of the 11 doctors has been a hit

1. William Hartnell 1963-1966

Don't be fooled by the frail appearance. Sometimes doting, sometimes difficult, the first Doctor was both a loving father-figure and a fierce foe.

2. Patrick Troughton 1966-1969

A very different Doctor, Troughton's playful, whimsical air disguised dark undercurrents and also a very sharp mind.

3. Jon Pertwee 1970-1974

Sentenced by the Time Lords to exile on Earth, the third Doctor was bold and brash, but with a soft side reserved for those he cared about.

4. Tom Baker 1974-1981

Scarf-wearing fourth Doctor was a swashbuckling adventurer. He prevented the death of the universe and tried to reason with Davros at [[broadwcast:Genesis of the Daleks|birth of Daleks]].

5. Peter Davison 1981-1984

Clever, considered and kind, the fifth Doctor's world was one of fascination and science. He was reunited with his past selves to fight in Death Zone.

6. Colin Baker 1984-1986

The sixth Doctor was an explosion of colours, words and emotions. Passionate, quick to anger, he also took HG Wells on a trip to a world of Morlox and [[broadwcast:Time Lash|time machines]].

7. Sylvester McCoy 1987-1989, 1996

The seventh Doctor was a spoon-playing clown and a master of deep, dark secrets. It was in this incarnation that the television series was rested.

8. Paul McCann 1996

Mercurial, frenzied and prone to amnesia, the [[:category:TV movie|eighth Doctor]] helped save the world from being pulled inside-out by the Master's hijacking of the Tardis.

9. Christopher Eccleston 2005

The ninth Doctor was an intense incarnation, hiding trauma behind wit. But he was capable of cruelty, killing Cassandra and torturing a Dalek.

10. David Tennant 2005-2010

Waking on Christmas Day in his new form, the Doctor fought the Sycorax high above London, where he lost a hand but grew a new one with remnant regenerative power.

11. Matt Smith 2010-present

The Current Doctor fought new Daleks in World War Two, Weeping Angels — and depression in Vincent van Gogh.

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Tardis-piloting Time Lord still enthrals - Revision history

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