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Millions tune in for Doctor Who 50th anniversary show | Millions tune in for Doctor Who 50th anniversary show |
(about 1 hour later) | |
More than 10 million people tuned in to see the special 50th anniversary episode of Doctor Who in the UK, according to overnight viewing figures. | More than 10 million people tuned in to see the special 50th anniversary episode of Doctor Who in the UK, according to overnight viewing figures. |
At its peak, the show was watched by 10.61 million viewers, with an average of 10.2 million across the 75-minute running time. | At its peak, the show was watched by 10.61 million viewers, with an average of 10.2 million across the 75-minute running time. |
It comfortably beat X Factor on ITV, which was seen by 7.7 million people. | It comfortably beat X Factor on ITV, which was seen by 7.7 million people. |
But Strictly Come Dancing was Saturday night's most popular show, peaking at 11.7 million viewers (10.6m average). | But Strictly Come Dancing was Saturday night's most popular show, peaking at 11.7 million viewers (10.6m average). |
'Beautiful reinvention' | |
The Day of the Doctor was broadcast in 94 countries at the same time as it aired on BBC One on Saturday night. | The Day of the Doctor was broadcast in 94 countries at the same time as it aired on BBC One on Saturday night. |
Featuring three Doctors - Matt Smith, David Tennant and John Hurt - it delved deep into the character's psyche over 75 minutes. | Featuring three Doctors - Matt Smith, David Tennant and John Hurt - it delved deep into the character's psyche over 75 minutes. |
Amid the special effects and multiple time zones, critics were particularly impressed with the interplay between the actors. | |
The Telegraph's Ben Lawrence wrote: "Tennant is edgy and mercurial, likely to turn on a pin. Smith is gentler, with a boyish eccentricity and other-worldly strangeness. They sparred terrifically with a fair amount of trademark humour. | |
"Smith's Doctor teased Tennant's about his 'sand shoes' and his weight. 'Ooh. That is proper skinny. Hello matchstick man!' | |
"And yet they were both skilled enough to convince the viewer that they were one and the same person, both sharing a compassion, an acute intelligence and a formidable nose for danger." | |
In a five star review, the Mirror's Jon Cooper singled out writer Steven Moffat as the real star. | |
"He's put something together here that not only gives hardcore fans a beautiful reinvention of their favourite show but also gives casual viewers a stonking story and a reminder why we all love this show so much," he wrote. | |
"This had labour of love stamped throughout it," agreed Simon Brew on the Den Of Geek website. | |
"It felt like a real treat, a gift to Who fandom, but more importantly, a strong episode in its own right." | |
Opening with the show's original credit sequence from 1963, the special featured the Daleks and the return of rubber suited, shape-shifting aliens the Zygons, who first appeared in 1975. | |
But the principal villain was potentially the Doctor himself. | |
Moffat's story played with the idea, introduced when the science-fiction show re-launched in 2005, that the Doctor was the "last of the Time Lords". | |
It transpired that Hurt's version of the Doctor had taken the decision to commit mass genocide in order to halt a "Great Time War" - and the 75-minute episode saw him fighting to come to terms with that decision, aided by two future versions of himself. | |
There were also cameos from former star Tom Baker, and Peter Capaldi, who replaces Smith later this year. | There were also cameos from former star Tom Baker, and Peter Capaldi, who replaces Smith later this year. |
"The last few minutes affected me quite deeply," wrote Neil Perryman, who recently completed his goal of watching all 697 episodes of Doctor Who on the Guardian's website. | |
He conceded that some of the details "didn't make a lot of sense on first viewing" but added: "I don't care - I'll be watching it again this evening". | |
Speaking immediately after the show ended, star Matt Smith said: "I think what's really clever about it is that what he [Moffat] has managed to do is change the mythology of the character - which, after 50 years, is an achievement." | |
Aside from the emotional drama, the episode was filled with comedic moments - including a proposal, a marriage and "a machine that goes ding". | |
"Is there a lot of this in the future?" John Hurt asked as David Tenant kissed Queen Elizabeth I. | |
"There is a bit, yes," deadpanned Matt Smith. | |
Screened in 3D in more than 1,500 cinemas in 94 countries - from Russia to Ethiopia (where several old Doctor Who episodes were rediscovered earlier this year) - the anniversary special attracted hundreds of fans in fancy dress, including bow ties, fezzes and Dalek outfits. | |
A gala screening at the BFI in London was attended by Smith, Hurt, Moffat and their co-star Jenna Coleman. | |
A huge cheer echoed around the cinema as the end credits rolled, while Tom Baker's surprise cameo also received a large round of applause. | |
The viewing figures are the highest for the science fiction show since the 2010 Christmas Special. | |
They do not take into account people who taped the show, or watched it later on iPlayer - and are therefore likely to rise once consolidated figures become available. |