Oh, Christopher Eccleston...you cheeky bastard.
The most reclusive of the previous Doctors expressed his tribute to Doctor Who yesterday during the British Film Institute's retrospective of the Ninth Doctor's era. According to Doctor Who News, the London event was the latest in the BFI's year long celebration of Doctor Who with each month looking back at each Doctor's era.
A screening of Eccleston's final story, "Bad Wolf/The Parting of the Ways" was also featured and the event panel included the story's director Joe Ahearne, former producer Phil Collinson and actor Bruno Langley, who played Ninth Doctor companion failure Adam Mitchell in "Dalek" and "The Long Game."
Typical of Eccleston, he did not attend the event but he did send along a written message that was read aloud to the audience by BFI host Justin Johnson. The message read:
I love the BFI. I love the Doctor and hope you enjoy this presentation. Joe Ahearne directed five of the 13 episodes of the first series. He understood the tone the show needed completely – strong, bold, pacy visuals coupled with wit, warmth and a twinkle in the performances, missus.
If Joe agrees to direct the 100th anniversary special, I will bring my sonic and a stair-lift and – providing the Daleks don’t bring theirs – I, the ninth Doctor, vow to save the universe and all you apes in it.
For anyone actually wondering, Eccleston will be 99 years old in 2063, the 100th anniversary year of Doctor Who. Fantastic.
Meanwhile, the BFI also confirmed that both David Tennant and Paul McGann will appear live on stage for the look back at their retrospective eras as The Doctor. So at least McGann and Tennant can find some time in their schedules.
The Tenth Doctor event on Sunday, September 29th will include a screening of the Series Four two-part finale "The Stolen Earth/Journey's End," while the Eighth Doctor screening of the 1996 TV Movie will be held on Saturday, October 5th.