Davies admits 'Who' fan controversy

Former Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies has admitted that he is not concerned about the fan controversy surrounding a recent episode of The Sarah Jane Adventures.

In an episode of the spinoff written by Davies, it was revealed that The Doctor could regenerate hundreds of times, rather than the previously established twelve. However, the writer told SFX that the change "[will] never stick".

"I was hooting [when I wrote that]," he admitted. "I could not resist. It'll never stick, though. That 13 lives [rule] is stuck in people's heads."

Davies also expressed confusion as to how the regeneration limit had become "deeply ingrained in the public consciousness".

"There's a fascinating academic study to be made out of how some facts stick and some don't," he claimed. "Jon Pertwee's Doctor could say he was thousands of years old, and no-one listens to that, and yet someone once says he's only got thirteen lives, and it becomes lore."

Doctor Who will return to BBC One this Christmas. The Sarah Jane Adventures continues this Monday on the CBBC channel.