Davies: 'Doctor Who' will be around for years

Russell T Davies has promised Doctor Who fans that the series will be around for years.

The writer, whose modern version of the classic show has been a smash hit, said: "I reckon the long-term future of Doctor Who is safer now than any other drama on telly."

There were fears that the programme may not last after rumours that current Doctor David Tennant intended to quit.

But Davies said that "a secret history of phone calls, dinners and face-to-face conversations" had led him to feel sure of its place on British TV.

He added: "For Doctor Who, there are many New Years to come. And that's a promise."