Who's who? - Well, now we know!

Well, after months of feverish speculation where red herrings flew thru the air like manic lemmings at a suicide convention, BBC Cymru has finally announced that it's new megastar in the making, The Eleventh Timelord... the 'new' Who... was to be little-known Northampton actor, Matt Smith.

The BBC Wales smoke machine certainly clouded the air and led us all up a very wrong path, with wild allusions hinting teasingly about the prospects of every possible actor, and even actress who was allegedly in the running for the ultimate role on UK television. We were led to believe the new Doctor was to be a woman, with Catherine Tate (Ew!), Glenda Jackson (Eeeww!!) and even Billy Piper (Yumm!) supposedly lined up in pole position!

However, a woman was never really in the running. Though some of our politically-correct twitterheads thought this may be the way to go, BBC producers quickly shied away from the idea after wondering how embarrassed parents would explain the sex change to their young & innocent offspring. It was thought that relationships too would be a problem... how would we get our heads round the idea of the Doctor, a man, loving Rose Tyler, a woman... now being a woman... still loving Rose Tyler! See where I'm going?

Other actors supposedly in the frame never stood a real chance... though John Simm, Alan Davies, James Nesbitt, and even Stephen Fry would have made excellent Doctors, they are all busy actors with many offers and much demand upon their skills. How long would they have committed to a role, which the BBC ideally would like a 3 to 5 year commitment on? Also - the 'tradition' of Doctor Who is that the Time Lord is always played by at least a relatively unknown profile, and none of these guys come close to this essential ideal.

So.. what of Matt Smith?

Christopher Ecclestone I didn't like at first. Too distant, a bit mechanical. When he left - I was shocked. Gutted and let down. He was perfect - how could anyone be better? Then David Tennant, who I instantly liked. Loved. From day one.. the perfect replacement. He soon became my favorite ever Time Lord. Attractive, warm, witty, funny - yet steely, and an awesome foe to his enemies. Absolutely the best Who ever, and by far the most human.

One more year, four shows and he's gone, and Matt grabs the keys to the Tardis.

Young, perhaps too young. Not that attractive, but not ugly. Sounds a bit posh, and looks like a slightly-spoiled 'rich kid' student. My first impression is that he'll lack the gravitas to carry off the role effectively, and I'm more than a tad disappointed.

However, like with David, I'll give him a chance, and will hope to be proved wrong! Watch this space!

Torchwood, Cardiff.