Billy Connolly Almost Cast as the Eighth Doctor

Billy Connolly has revealed that he was almost cast as the Eighth Doctor in the Doctor Who TV Movie, which was originally broadcast in May 1996. Eventually the role went to Paul McGann, who proved to be a very popular choice for the lead role, despite the story being a disappointment for many fans.

Connolly commented: “It was brought up in a meeting, apparently, but nobody told me until after they decided against it. If I had done it, he would have been angrier, a much angrier Doctor Who. I would have loved it. I'd have taken it.”