Reader comments
'Doctor Who' choice is a surprise

what a coool idea

This only xhows how little Americans understand Doctor Who. None of your chices coupld possibly have worked.

Not quite accurate. matt Smith is 26. (If he were 28 he'd only be the second youngest I think, as number 5 was 27 when he took on the role, but I could be wrong)
And there are 13 incarnations, 12 regenerations

I'd like to see Roger Daltrey as the Doctor, but that's just me

MY ENTIRE FAMILY HAS BECOME DOCTOR WHO FANATICS.
ONE OF THE FEW SHOWS WE ALL WATCH TOGETHER.EVEN MY
HIGH FUNCTIONING AUTISTIC SON GETS IT.HE PLANS ON
DRESSING UP AS A DALEK FOR THIS YEAR'S HALLOWEEN.

Why won't these selections work?

Dear UK Doctor Who fan, onedoesn't have to live in the UK to appreciate Dr Who. I grew up watching Tom Baker and Peter Davidson in the US. And as much as I love David Tennant's doctor, when he started he was really too young for the part - his doctor behaved like an overactive teenager. Fortunately he grew into the part nicely.

That is my main concern about Matt Smith, who at twenty six is a decade younger than Tennant. The is a real risk of turning Dr Who into a live action cartoon by going for the youth market.

As for the musicians, I do think some of them would do. Both Sting and David Bowie have the presence to pull off Dr Who, as do Alan Rickman and Liam Neelson.

Also, like another reader I am curious why you think a musician couldn't play the part.