New Doctor Who star 'conned' into acting
2:35pm Wednesday 7th January 2009
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A DRAMA teacher from Taunton ‘conned’ the new Doctor in cult television series Doctor Who into taking to the stage as a teenager, the County Gazette can reveal.
Twenty-six-year-old Matt Smith – the eleventh incarnation and youngest Doctor Who ever – wanted to be a top footballer rather than a television star and played in the youth teams of Leicester City and Nottingham Forest until a back injury forced him to quit.
But Jerry Hardingham, Matt’s drama teacher at Northampton School for Boys, always believed he was destined for the stage.
And when the 14-year-old failed to audition for a part in a school production of 12 Angry Men, his biggest supporter cast him in the play without him knowing.
Speaking to the County Gazette, Jerry, now a drama teacher at West Somerset Community College in Minehead, said: “We had a new theatre opening, and the production of 12 Angry Men was a big opportunity for Matt, but he didn’t turn up for the auditions.
“I rang his mum who told me he was on holiday, so I told her he was doing this part in the play – no discussion.
“He was so self-effacing and was thinking of doing history at Sheffield University but me, his mum, dad and another drama teacher were telling him not to go.
“I persuaded him to go into the National Youth Theatre because I saw raw talent and he got the lead role in The Cathedral. The play was acted out at Westminster Cathedral before an audience of Royals and dignitaries.
“We’re still in touch and he still asks for my opinion when I see him, which is just ridiculous!”
And speaking of Matt’s Doctor Who coup, 45-year-old Jerry, who lives in Taunton, added: “I was in Taunton Asda when I found out. All of a sudden my phone went a bit mad. I spoke to his folks as well and they are thrilled to bits.
“I know he will be fantastic as Doctor Who because Matt is so versatile. The producers know what they want and he will give it to them. I am chuffed to bits for him.”
TARDIS Actor Matt Smith will be the next to portray the Doctor on the BBC television program ''Doctor Who''.  Smith will be the eleventh incarnation of the Doctor, taking over from actor David Tennant who will end his time with the series after filming four editions of the program through 2009.  The Doctor comes from a race of Timelords, and has the ability to "regenerate" and change appearance when his health is failing.  William Hartnell was the first actor to play the Doctor, from 1963–1966.  Smith will become the new occupant of the Doctor's time machine and spacecraft the "TARDIS" in 2010.  


John Harper, founder of the Scarborough and Ryedale Astronomical Society and a fan of the series, called the decision to cast 26-year-old Smith in the role "wonderful". MP for Scarborough Robert Goodwill, also a fan of the program, told the ''Scarborough Evening News'': "David Tennant will be a very hard act to follow, but I’m optimistic that the new Doctor will be just as good."


Matt Smith, 26, portrayed researcher Danny Foster on the political drama ''Party Animals'', which aired on BBC Two in 2007.  Fellow actor Andrew Buchan from ''Party Animals'' told ''The Guardian'': "It's a sublime bit of casting.  He's got that huge hair, a twinkle in his eye — Matt's the king of geek chic.  He is possibly going to be one of the best Doctors we've ever had." 

After a back injury got in the way of Smith's goal of becoming a footballer, his drama teacher Jerry Hardingham at Northampton School for Boys encouraged him to pursue acting. Though Smith did not audition, Hardingham cast him in a school production of the play ''Twelve Angry Men''. Hardingham later convinced Smith to join the National Youth Theatre, and he landed the lead role in the play ''Murder in the Cathedral'', performing before members of the British Royal Family and other VIPs at the Westminster Cathedral.

David Tennant 
David Tennant, 37, has portrayed the Doctor on ''Doctor Who'' since taking over for Christopher Eccleston in 2005. A major feature of his character's stories involved a romantic interest in his companion in the TARDIS, Rose, played by actress Billie Piper. 

Tennant announced his exit from the program on October 29, 2008, at the National Television Awards in the United Kingdom, during his speech accepting the outstanding drama performance award at the program. ''Doctor Who'' was recognized with the award for most popular drama program. 


"I love this part, and I love this show so much that if I don't take a deep breath and move on now I never will, and you'll be wheeling me out of the Tardis in my bath chair," said Tennant in his address to the audience in attendance at the Royal Albert Hall. He was previously recognized at the National Television Awards for his role in ''Doctor Who'' with the award for most popular actor, in 2006 and 2007.

Tennant is currently performing the lead role in ''Hamlet'' with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and his engagement at the Novello Theatre in Westminster, London is set to end on January 10. He portrayed Hamlet 60 times with the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon prior to the production's move to London.