Christopher Eccleston answers Big Finish listeners' Doctor Who questions

https://youtu.be/vhMJOGG_1fw

Enjoy.

Virginia.

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Christopher Eccleston reveals his Christmas list

Christopher Eccleston in Conversation with Lemn Sissay

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=pXEf1ICkMaY&feature=emb_logo

Warning: This programme contains strong language and reference to adult themes.

Known for roles in award-winning shows such as Our Friends in the North and Dr Who, as well as films like 28 Days Later and Gone in 60 Seconds, Christopher Eccleston is one of the UK's best loved stars of stage and screen.

Lemn Sissay MBE is a BAFTA nominated International prize-winning author, poet and playwright. Roles such as the official poet of the London 2012 Olympics have solidified Sissay as one of Britains most recognisable poetic voices.

Both Eccleston and Sissay were born and raised in working class households in the north of England in the 1960's. Eccleston's autobiography I Love the Bones of You and Sissay's My Name Is Why were both published to critical acclaim in 2019.

Here we present a unique insight into the lives and experiences of two of our most loved and respected Northern artists, both of whom have overcome great hardship to join us here and tell their stories.

https://www.bradfordlitfest.co.uk/event/christopher-eccleston-conversation-lemn-sissay/?fbclid=IwAR2_S3rHLh6Ks5Wu4a3cMepCqxVlqRtTA1hNA3-CyEN-d8AnvScqhKK2PE4

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Christopher Eccleston: ‘How often do I have sex? It’s not been a vintage year'

The actor on struggling with body image, a painful battle with a zip and falling off stage in Macbeth

Sat 5 Oct 2019 09.30 BST

 Christopher Eccleston: 'I am not anorexic now – but dysmorphia is still very present.' Photograph: Camera Press

Born in Salford, Eccleston, 55, trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London. He starred in the 1996 television series Our Friends In The North and was nominated for a Bafta. In 2005, he was cast in Doctor Who as the ninth Time Lord. He has just published a memoir about his father called I Love The Bones Of You. Divorced, he has two children and lives in London.

When were you happiest?
Now. I am father to Albert, seven, and Esme, six. I've never experienced happiness as complete as caring for them.

Which living person do you most admire, and why?
Elsie Eccleston, my mother, for her emotional intelligence, kindness, intense curiosity, and chicken and leek pies.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Not listening and insisting on being heard.

What was your most embarrassing moment?
Trapping my foreskin in the zip of my corduroy jeans when I was 14 and having my brother Keith release it; it took two hours. I was in an agony of existential embarrassment because, shortly before my brother came in, I'd been doing what teenage boys do and was surprised, pulled the zip up and nearly circumcised myself. I bear the scar to this day.

What makes you unhappy?
Greed, hypocrisy and lies.

What is your most unappealing habit?
Greed, hypocrisy and lying. Also, speed-eating leading to flatulence.

What is the worst thing anyone's said to you?
The mother of my children once said that I dance like I'm straight out of the box and recently assembled.

What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
A little more spiritual enlightenment. 

What do you most dislike about your appearance?
How long have you got? I am not anorexic now – but I would say dysmorphia is still very present.

To whom would you most like to say sorry, and why?
To my children, because their mum and dad's relationship failed, and I know that has caused them great sadness.

What does love feel like?
I think I've only really experienced it on a parental level, and it feels like the rhythm of nature.

Have you ever said 'I love you' and not meant it?
No.

What has been your biggest disappointment?

Falling off the stage in the third preview of Macbeth at the RSC.

How often do you have sex?
It's not been a vintage year.

What is the closest you've come to death?
During my severe clinical depression in 2016. I was at Piccadilly station in Manchester and a train was coming.

What has been your closest brush with the law? 

In about 1986, I spent the night in the cells for being drunk and disorderly.

What song would you like played at your funeral?
Hot Legs by Rod Stewart: I'm going to be cremated.

How would you like to be remembered?
As a loving father. 

• For help and advice on eating disorders in the UK, contact Beat on 0808 801 0677; in the US, contact the NEDA on (800) 931-2237; and in Australia, contact the Butterfly Foundation on 1800 33 4673. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/oct/05/christopher-eccleston-how-often-do-i-have-sex-its-not-been-a-vintage-year

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Chris Eccleston at NYCC — Full Panel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=IQi4nK0Cl9g#fauxfullscreen

Christopher Eccleston says he sacrificed “professional pride” by not doing a second series of Doctor Who

https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2019-10-04/christopher-eccleston-doctor-who-exit-series-2/

The actor opened up about leaving the show, and the aftermath, at New York Comic Con

By Morgan Jeffery

Friday, 4th October 2019 at 3:16 pm 

Christopher Eccleston has said that he sacrificed "some professional pride" by leaving Doctor Who when he did, suggesting that an actor needs "to do two seasons" to nail the lead part.

Eccleston took to the stage at New York Comic Con yesterday (3rd October) and spoke frankly about why he quit the BBC sci-fi show after a single series, detailing clashes with members of the production team.

• Christopher Eccleston thinks we should have had a female Doctor in 2005
• Christopher Eccleston: Doctor Who fans have "healed something in me"

"I left because my relationship with the showrunner [Russell T Davies] and the producers broke down – [it was] the politics of the show," he sad. "I left only because of those three individuals, and the way they were running the show. I loved playing the character and I loved the world.

"That's one of the reasons I've started doing these conventions, to make that clear – I loved playing the Doctor."

He continued: "I felt, 'I'm gonna play the Doctor my way and I'm not gonna get involved in these politics'… and that wasn't workable, so off I went."

BBC

Eccleston went on to detail instances where he felt the crew on Doctor Who were not being treated with respect, revealing that this led to a "difficult" situation on set.

"Because of my background, when I go onto a set it's very important to me that everybody's treated with respect, and that's because I come from a class of people who traditionally are not treated with respect," he said.

"I always look to the director and the producer… and if the director, for instance, treats a member of the crew badly and then comes to speak to me about my performance, I have no respect for them and I don't listen to them and that's difficult.

"There were certain things that went on. As an actor, you're working with a crew and you get very close to that crew, so there were things that I saw that I didn't like. The crew, I felt, could've been treated better. But I often feel that – it's a ruthless business."

Billie Piper, Christopher Eccleston and John Barrowman in Doctor Who (BBC, HF)

The actor previously detailed last year how his his departure from Doctor Who "almost destroyed" his career, telling The Guardian that he was "blacklisted" by the BBC as a result.

At NYCC, he explained, "I lost all my confidence as an actor and as a person as a result of what happened with Doctor Who," saying that "the gutter press" wrote "lies… about me betraying Doctor Who, and all that s**t."

Taking on the role of John Lennon in BBC Four's 2010 biographical film Lennon Naked helped restore his confidence, Eccleston explained. Looking back now on his performance as the Doctor, he says there are aspects of his performance that he would have tweaked if he'd carried on for a second series.

"If you really want to get your performance as the Doctor right, you need to do two seasons," he said. "Because you need to watch the first season and calibrate, and go, 'OK, that works, that works, that doesn't work, tone that down…' and I never got a chance to do that, so some professional pride was sacrificed with not doing a second season."

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Christopher Eccleston on Instagram.

It appears Chris is now on Instagram & the account is verified with a blue tick:
https://www.instagram.com/christophereccleston/
Let me know your thoughts.

CHRISTOPHER ECCLESTON NARRATES COLD BATH STREET AUDIOBOOK

https://www.uclan.ac.uk/news/christopher-eccleston-narrates-audiobook.php

Actor Christopher Eccleston

Award-winning actor lends his support to Preston-based ghostly thriller published by UCLan Publishing

Actor Christopher Eccleston is helping to bring the supernatural thriller book Cold Bath Street to life by narrating the novel's audiobook.

The award-winning actor who has appeared in a variety of British television dramas, including playing Doctor Who, has voiced the book written by New York Times best-selling author and Preston-born AJ Hartley, which is published by the University of Central Lancashire's (UCLan) own publishing house.

It marks another milestone for Cold Bath Street, which is set around the Miley Tunnels that lie under Preston and are supposedly haunted, after it was nominated for one of the most prestigious children's book prizes in the world, the Carnegie Medal, last November. The book was edited, project-managed, designed and produced by students on UCLan's MA Publishing course in the only student-led, student-run publishing house in the world, UCLan Publishing.

Christopher said: "Cold Bath Street is just a brilliant, brilliant, brilliant book. I was so happy to narrate the audiobook because I think Andrew's writing is superb. The book is an anthem for our times and it is wonderful that it is set in the North. I think what UCLan Publishing is doing, especially in improving regional diversity, is amazing and I was very glad to give my time for this cause."

The book is an anthem for our times and it is wonderful that it is set in the North. I think what UCLan Publishing is doing, especially in improving regional diversity, is amazing and I was very glad to give my time for this cause.

 

Christopher got involved in the Cold Bath Street project after playing Macbeth in Stratford-upon-Avon for the Royal Shakespeare Company and it was pointed out to him that the play draws many parallels with Cold Bath Street with themes of supernatural, ghosts and death.

In an interview with The Bookseller, Christopher said: "We did an event where Andrew [Hartley] talked about his book and his notion of the supernatural, and I spoke about playing Macbeth and my notions of the supernatural. It helps that the book is set in Preston, Lancashire, and I'm from Salford in Lancashire. We're from a very similar generation. We seem to have an odd understanding of each other."

The Cold Bath Street audiobook will be launched at the prestigious London Book Fair on the 11 March with an audiobook panel event fronted by AJ Hartley, Christopher Eccleston and UCLan Associate Professor of Publishing and Head of the Publishing House Debbie Williams.

Debbie said: "This is another exciting development for Cold Bath Street and I want to thank Christopher for lending his support to a book that's really put Preston and UCLan Publishing on the map. We're a small publishing company competing against huge, well-established publishing houses and the success that we've experienced with Cold Bath Street has been phenomenal."

Following the success of Cold Bath Street, AJ is already working on a sequel, due to be published in October, called Written Stone Lane that based on a ghost myth around the Written Stone near Longridge in the Ribble Valley.

UCLan Publishing is also working with AJ on another children's book, Monsters in the Mirror, due to be published on the 1 March and available for pre-order on Amazon. An author event with AJ to promote the book will take place at Preston Waterstones at 2.00pm on Saturday 9 March.

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S&S UK snaps up Eccleston's memoir

https://www.thebookseller.com/news/ss-uk-snaps-ecclestons-memoir-about-his-fathers-dementia-struggle-859391#

Simon & Schuster UK is to publish actor Christopher Eccleston's memoir charting his own acting career plus the impact on him and his family of his late father's struggle with dementia.

Iain MacGregor, publishing director of non-fiction at S&S UK, acquired world rights, including audio, for I Love the Bones of You from Paul Stevens at Independent Talent, to be published in September 2019.

Drawing on his memories, the former "Doctor Who" actor will describe a vivid life growing up in a Salford, working-class household in the 1970s with his siblings and mother as well as "the totemic figure of his hardworking, serious-minded and socialist father" Ronnie.

It will explore how his life changed from a potential future as "factory fodder" in his native Northwest, to a deep-rooted desire to perform on stage, and what developed into an acting career that has included his film debut "Let Him Have It" to the BBC's landmark drama mini-series "Our Friends in the North" and his relaunch of the "Doctor Who" series.

A S&S UK spokesperson said Eccleston will also discuss the loss of his father and his family's struggle to cope with his condition over the past decade of his life as they watched his health deteriorate.

Eccleston said: "My father was an 'ordinary man', which of course means he was extraordinary. I aim to capture him and his impact on my life and career."

MacGregor said: "Like many, many people across Britain today, Chris bears the pain and loss of a dear parent who was taken by this incredibly vile condition. He wanted to not only record his father's journey, but to celebrate his life, and that of his family also. We are privileged he has decided to take this journey with Simon & Schuster UK."

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Christopher Eccleston is back as Doctor Who for fans’ wedding video

https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-09-10/christopher-eccleston-is-back-as-doctor-who-for-fans-wedding-video/

But where was the Time Lord's invite?

Well, they did need something old and blue. But when two Doctor Who fans were getting hitched, they probably didn't expect an appearance by the Doctor himself. Not that he was entirely happy about it.

"That's just typical," whinged Christopher Eccleston, back in character as the Doctor. "You fall in love, you get married, you're really happy, and me, the Doctor, who's saved the universe god knows how many times, doesn't get an invite."

"Doesn't. Get. An invite. Typical of you apes, isn't it?"

Daww, he's a softie really. The surprise message for Liam and Blaine – or 'Blame' as the Doctor rechristens them – is a touching reminder that even if Eccleston left the series under contentious circumstances, he has always made time for the fans. Just try to listen to the last line without blubbing.

"My two hearts are beating as one for you today. Congratulations on your wedding day, and I won't be there in the blue box, but I will be there in spirit."

Video:

https://youtu.be/ZqSbcQZhNeA

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Heartwarming photo of a Doctor Who fan with Down's syndrome hugging Christopher Eccleston goes viral - as his brother reveals he was 'on cloud nine' after meeting his hero

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-6010119/Man-downs-syndrome-meets-hero-Christopher-Eccleston-Doctor-Who.html

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Doctor Who stars Christopher Eccleston and Matt Smith had an epic meeting at London Film and Comic-Con

Eccleston also shared a hug with Peter Capaldi – we're planning the 60th anniversary special already

https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-07-30/doctor-who-christopher-eccleston-matt-smith-peter-capaldi-meet-hug-london-film-comic-con/

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Doctor Who's Christopher Eccleston takes unexpected SWIPE at BBC over Jodie Whittaker

CHRISTOPHER ECCLESTON took a pop at the BBC on today's Lorraine as he addressed the casting of Jodie Whittaker in the upcoming Doctor Who. 

The 53-year-old played the ninth incarnation of the famous science fiction hero and was the actor who helped bring the show back after its 16 year hiatus. 

However, when speaking to Lorraine Kelly, he seemed to have a little swipe at bosses when discussing Doctor Who. 

When asked what his thoughts were about incoming Jodie, 35, Christopher said: "Hurrah! The BBC have gone as far as they can with skinny white men. 

"God knows how much money they make from it. They needed to reinvent it and they could not have chosen someone better."

What's more, he didn't seem keen on the idea of conventions about the show, which are certainly favourites with fans. 

"I've never done conventions. But there's a lot of money there - not that I'm saying anything about those who do attend," he said.

Christopher explained: "I've always wanted to earn my money from acting, but who knows what will happen."

The actor is currently starring in BBC's The A Word and plays kind-hearted father Maurice Scott.

However, he has hit out at critics, saying that he feels the programme should be getting more attention for its portrayal of a young autistic boy. 

Video here: 

http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/876910/Doctor-Who-Christopher-Eccleston-ninth-incarnation-SWIPE-BBC-Jodie-Whittaker-female

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Star of The A Word welcomes plans for autism school in West Cumbria

A star of the hit TV drama The A Word has thrown his support behind plans to create a specialist school in Cumbria for children with autism.

Actor Christopher Eccleston has warmly welcomed news that plans for the Cumbria Academy for Autism are being developed.

Mr Eccleston was among the cast and crew of the BBC 1 show who were on location in the Lake District in June as the filming for season two came to an end.

The acclaimed drama's new series returns to our screens tonight.

Set in the Lake District, The A Word tells the story of Joe and his family.

Now two years on, this second series explores the continuing challenges Joe and his family face.

Mr Eccleston, who plays Joe's grandfather Maurice Scott in the show, said of the new school plans: "Hopefully it will raise awareness that there are special challenges in raising children with special needs. We're very supportive of news like this."

The former Dr Who actor was speaking as he joined cast and crew on location near Keswick in June as they filmed the finishing touches to the drama's second series.

Bridge End Farm at Thirlmere was transformed into a scene of a summer fete and fictional fell race.

Members of local running clubs were invited to be extras during the production.

Last week Cumbria hosted a special preview screening of the first episode at the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal. 

The series also stars Lee Ingleby, Morven Christie, Greg McHugh, Vinette Robinson and Molly Wright.

The new six-parter has been penned once again by BAFTA-winning Peter Bowker.

The first series regularly attracted more than four million viewers.

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On RadioTimes today: Christopher Eccleston: When it comes to disabilities, ethnic minorities and women on TV, we’re still dinosaurs

I saw this and thought it might interest you...

The A Word actor talks about the return of the BBC drama and the need for casting quotas to bring actors from different backgrounds into the industry

http://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2017-11-07/the-a-word-christopher-eccleston/


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Doctor Who star Christopher Eccleston has this X-rated condition for going on Strictly Come Dancing.

http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/strictly-come-dancing/news/a842034/doctor-who-christopher-eccleston-strictly-come-dancing-condition/

We'd love to see it happen.

Christopher Eccleston brought us a dancing Doctor in series 1 of the rebooted Doctor Who, but he still wouldn't be our first thought when it comes to potential Strictly Come Dancing contestants.

However, if that day were ever to come, the actor has told Digital Spy he would have one condition for taking to the dance floor.

He was speaking to us about series 2 of The A Word, a BBC drama about a young boy with autism who has a particular fondness for the music of The Undertones and The Buzzcocks.

Self-confessed music 'obsessive' Eccleston revealed his surprise that Strictly bosses used The Buzzcocks' track 'Ever Fallen in Love' for Gemma Atkinson and Aljaz Skorjanec's jive in the Halloween edition of the show.

"Wow!" he said, before joking: "So, Strictly didn't use the Buzzcocks track 'Orgasm Addict' then?!"

That song was banned by the BBC when it was released in 1977.

Eccleston – whose favourite line from the track is: "I'm an orgasm addict, and I'm always at it!" – added: "I'd like to see 'Orgasm Addict' on Strictly Come Dancing. It would bring a whole new meaning to the title Strictly Come Dancing wouldn't it?

"I'll do it if they let me use 'Orgasm Addict'!"

We can't see that happening anytime soon Chris, so maybe don't go out buying those dancing shoes quite yet.

Eccleston's co-star on The A Word, Lee Ingleby, has already told Digital Spy the second series will pick up two years later, with his autistic son Joe aged 7, and it will see the Hughes family facing new challenges.

The A Word series 2 starts on BBC One, Tuesday, November 7 at 9pm.

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Photo Flash: Christopher Eccleston, Emma Hamilton and Nikki-Amuka Bird Present THE TIME MACHINE.

 

http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumnpics.cfm?colid=1441255

Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who, Shallow Grave, Elizabeth, Thor), Emma Hamilton (The Tudors, The Musketeers, Mr Selfridge) and Nikki-Amuka Bird (Luther, Quarry, Survivors) open Southbank Centre's 10th London Literature Festival on Wednesday 5 October with a live reading of HG Wells's classic work, The Time Machine, on stage in front of Royal Festival Hall's world-famous organ.

The special adaptation and performance is directed by Cedering Fox of Word Theatre® to mark the 150th anniversary this year of the birth of HG Wells, the father of science fiction. Former Doctor Who star Christopher Eccleston performs the role of the Time Traveller and leads the cast in a performance which also features music from James McVinnie on Royal Festival Hall's magnificent organ, representing the sounds of the Time Machine.

Virginia/Doctor9fan

Christopher Eccleston on Drive with Raf Epstein

https://soundcloud.com/774-abc-melbourne/christopher-eccleston-on-drive-with-raf-epstein

Christopher Eccleston, star of HBO's The Leftovers, Doctor Who, and endless films, now leads a new BBC drama 'The A Word'. He joins Raf Epstein on 774 ABC Melbourne's Drive program.

'The A Word' screens on BBC First on Sunday evenings at 8.30pm. Learn more at: www.bbcaustralia.com/video/?v=the-a-word

This interview aired on 774 ABC Melbourne's Drive with Raf Epstein, broadcasting weekdays 3-6pm AEST.
More Drive: www.ab.co/774drive
Listen live: www.ab.co/774live
Follow: www.twitter.com/774Melbourne

Watch “Ten Pieces // Wagner // with Christopher Eccleston”

Watch “Ten Pieces // Wagner // with Christopher Eccleston” by Jamie Kennerley: https://vimeo.com/139366106

Christopher Eccleston and Aardman Animations team up to battle dementia

http://home.bt.com/news/uk-news/christopher-eccleston-and-aardman-animations-team-up-to-battle-dementia-11364034195394
Video on the above link.
The makers of Wallace and Gromit have produced a short film to address people's misconceptions about dementia.
The makers of Wallace and Gromit have produced a short film to address people's misconceptions about dementia. The online video from Aardman Animations features former Doctor Who star Christopher Eccleston, whose father Ronnie died following a 14-year battle with the illness. The 90-second film for Alzheimer's Research UK uses stop motion techniques to show an orange being stripped away to demonstrate how diseases that cause dementia physically attack the brain. The brain of an Alzheimer's sufferer can weigh around 140 grams less than a healthy brain - about the weight of an orange. Eccleston, 51, said he hoped the film would "fight the misunderstanding and fatalism that surrounds dementia in our society". He said: "We have to think differently about dementia. We have to stop believing dementia is an inevitability - something that simply happens to us all as we grow older. If we don't, we're never going to truly fight it. "Dementia is caused by diseases and diseases can be beaten. We've tamed diseases like cancer and heart disease and a diagnosis of either is no longer a certain death sentence. "People with dementia deserve this same hope. This film aims to show that dementia is caused by physical processes that scientists can put a stop to." Hilary Evans, chief executive of Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "Major breakthroughs have been made in the battle against Aids and cancer, and research will bring these same life-changing advancements in the field of dementia. "To get there, we must stop fearing dementia as something that just happens as we age, and focus on fighting the diseases, most commonly Alzheimer's, that are the root cause of it. "There are still no treatments that can slow or stop the disease processes in the brain, but with the support of a nation, Alzheimer's Research UK will win the fight against dementia." Aardman, the Oscar-winning animation studio based in Bristol, developed the film with Alzheimer's Research UK and creative agency ais London. Alzheimer's Research UK has asked people the share the video on social media by using the hashtag #sharetheorange.

 #sharetheorange