Latest DOCTOR WHO star Christopher Eccleston is keen to maintain his independence as an actor and not be type-cast, despite the possibility of furthering his stint as the time-traveller.

The hunky British actor, who appears in the latest incarnation of the cult programme, has revealed that more series have been commissioned, but he remains tightlipped as to whether he wishes to be involved.

The 41-year-old says, "I need to think about it. It's more than a huge responsibility to shoulder.

"I don't want to be thought of as the Doctor to the exclusion of everything else I've done or may do in the future.

"I'll have to think about it before I make the final decision to say yes or no. I am keenly aware that the whole thing could be a poisoned chalice."

21/03/2005 14:11