Doctor Who show runner Steven Moffat has revealed that the BBC considered axing the show after David Tennant left the role.
Moffat, who was taking part in a Q&A at the recent Hay Festival in Herefordshire, said:
"David owned that role in a spectacular way, gave it an all-new cheeky sexy performance and became a national treasure. And he didn't do it instantly, he did it over time. So the idea that Doctor Who could go on at all in the absence of David was a huge question, I didn't realise how many people thought it wouldn't succeed at all. That was quite terrifying when I found out about it later.
I think there were plans maybe to consider ending it. It was Russell saying, you are not allowed to end it."
[Source: David-Tennant.com]
