David Tennant: I’m no heart‑throb

As he returns as Broadchurch’s tortured detective, David Tennant talks about sex, psychosis – and being married to the daughter of another Time Lord

The Times
DAVID TITLOW

Oh, I love it when David Tennant is angry. He’s sweary and growly and so – sigh – Scottish. Even after we part company, his Paisley preacher’s rasp is still ringing in my ears. And it’s such a relief when he bursts into invective, gangly arms everywhere like exploding streamers, because he’s actually quite dull when he’s careful, picking his way through a conversation like a cat through litter. For instance: “Don’t ask me anything confusing,” he replies, all spoilsport, when I ask who is the better role model, Sherlock or the Doctor? “I don’t want to get into trouble by making some pronouncement.”

(Surely the Doctor – if only because Tennant was voted Best Doctor Ever, Doctor Who was his specialist subject on Celebrity