Christopher Eccleston claims Doctor Who ruined his career as he was ‘blacklisted by BBC bosses’ after his exit
CHRISTOPHER Eccleston has claimed that his leading role in Doctor Who "almost destroyed" his career.
The actor, 54, said in an interview with The Guardian that he was "blacklisted" by the "BBC regime" when he quit the hit series after just one season.
He told the paper: "What happened around Doctor Who almost destroyed my career.
"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."
The TV star was the ninth person to play the lead role when the iconic series was revived in 2005, and was cast alongside Billie Piper.
Christopher said he was forced to relocate to the United States in order to continue acting.
He explained: "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.”
In the US the actor won parts in a number of big budget films, including Thor: The Dark World and GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra.
He has also appeared in a number of TV series, such as Fortitude, Safe House and The A Word.
His next role will be Macbeth in the Royal Shakespeare Company's latest adaption of Shakespeare's psychological thriller.
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Last year BBC bosses revealed they had cast their first ever female Doctor after announcing Jodie Whittaker would be stepping up to the role.
The actress will be the thirteenth Time Lord, and follows Peter Capaldi.
Fans were given their first glimpse of Jodie as the Doctor during the Christmas special in December.
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