Tennant said it had been "impossible to carry on without surgery" Actor David Tennant has returned to the lead role of Hamlet on the London stage after undergoing back surgery. Tennant, who is quitting Doctor Who, received an ovation along with his fellow actors, the Royal Shakespeare Company said. But they added his return would be assessed on a "day by day" basis and theatre-goers are advised to check the website for updates. The 37-year-old's run at the Novello Theatre is due to finish on 10 January. Tennant's understudy Edward Bennett, who played Hamlet during his absence, has resumed his role as Laertes. Bennett received standing ovations when he initially assumed the lead, but mixed reviews from critics. Tennant paid tribute at the time, saying it was a "fantastic achievement" getting to grips with the part of Hamlet at short notice. Sell-out Tennant had an operation for a slipped disc in December, and said his enforced absence from the play was "hugely disappointing". "My back problem has progressed to the point where it is currently impossible for me to carry on without surgery," he said last month. Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. He played Hamlet 60 times in Stratford-upon-Avon in the summer ahead of the production's London transfer. Tickets for the London shows sold out within three hours when they went on sale in September. Tennant is due to begin filming scenes for a Doctor Who special later this month. Matt Smith has been unveiled as the next actor to take on the role, and will be seen on screens from 2010.
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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.