Christopher Eccleston Claims He Was "Blacklisted" by the BBC - Here's When He Will Return to 'Doctor Who'

Doctor Who is now one of the world's most loved shows. From the United Kingdom to China, the show has fans who just can't get enough of the show. The hit science fiction began back in 1963 where television changed forever. But when the show was revived in 2005, a new generation of fans were introduced to the iconic character that is the Doctor.

When Russell T. Davies brought the show back in 2005, it was revealed that the northern actor, Christopher Eccleston, would be taking on the legendary role of the Doctor. The Ninth Doctor was accompanied by Rose Tyler played by Billie Piper. All was going down well with old fans and the new fans. However, things took a turn when Eccleston's Doctor suddenly regenerated in the series one finale. Fans have been questioning why Eccleston decided to step down as The Doctor and pass the baton over to David Tennant and it has never been fully understood what actually happened. Now Eccleston has revealed what happened when he departed the hit BBC show.

Speaking to The Guardian, Eccleston claims he was blacklisted by the BBC. He said:

“What happened around Doctor Who almost destroyed my career,” he says. “I gave them a hit show and I left with dignity and then they put me on a blacklist. I was carrying my own insecurities as it was something I had never done before and then I was abandoned, vilified in the tabloid press and blacklisted."

When Eccleston wanted to start new projects post - Doctor Who, his agent didn't have good news for him. Eccleston continued his interview by saying:

"I was told by my agent at the time: ‘The BBC regime is against you. You’re going to have to get out of the country and wait for regime change.’ So I went away to America and I kept on working because that’s what my parents instilled in me. My dad always said to me: ‘I don’t care what you do – sweeping the floor or whatever you’re doing – just do the best job you can.’ I know it’s cliched and northern and all that bollocks, but it applies.”

Will Eccleston ever return as The Doctor?

Despite Eccleston only doing one series, he was a huge hit and fans couldn't get enough of his Doctor. Ever since he left, fans have been desperate for his incarnation of The Doctor to return.

Originally, previous Doctor Who showrunner, Steven Moffat, penned Eccleston's Doctor in the 50th anniversary special "The Day of the Doctor." When Eccleston sat down with Moffat (yes, a meeting actually happened), Eccleston politely declined. When "The Day of the Doctor" aired, Eccleston was replaced by Sir John Hurt, who played the War Doctor. With the special featuring Matt Smith, David Tennant, and Sir John Hurt pleasing fans, many have already started speculating what they want to see in the next big special episode (presumingly the 100th anniversary), and Eccleston has given fans a slight bit of hope. He said:

"I’m giving you an exclusive, I will return for the 100th anniversary. If I’m asked, I will return for the 100th anniversary."

If you look at it carefully, when the 100th Anniversary airs, Eccleston will be aged 99. But who's to say he can't appear still? It could be another Tom Baker moment. Whether you see that quote as confirmation or as a joke, that's for you to decide. In the meantime, fans still have every bit of faith in the actor to return as the hilarious but serious Ninth Doctor very soon.

Doctor Who returns to our screens this autumn where we will have our first series with The Doctor being a female. Are you excited?