Russell T Davies: Returning to Doctor Who was a 'comfort' after husband's death

Russell T Davies has opened up about the impact of returning to Doctor Who after his husband's death from a brain tumour in 2018.

Davies was in a relationship with Andrew Smith from 1999 until his death in 2018. They entered into a civil partnership in 2012 shortly after Smith received his diagnosis.

Speaking to the Radio Times, Davies talked about going back to Doctor Who, a show he worked on when Smith was alive: "I’m quite glad that I’ve gone back to writing Doctor Who because psychologically I’m thinking, ‘He knows what I’m doing now’."

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He added: "It gives me comfort. It’s when you do new things he never experienced that it feels odd and you don’t enjoy it so much.”

Davies also detailed that Smith still influences his writing, including on his new show Nolly: "Maybe it’s why Andrew keeps popping up in everything I write. Even in Nolly with the scenes of her cancer, I found myself visiting hospitals. There’s been death in a lot of the stuff I’ve written over the past few years. I don’t mind that. I’m glad. It feels richer.”

Davies' sci-fi drama Years and Years was dedicated to the memory of Smith who died during the show's production.

After Nolly, Davies' next project will be the 60th anniversary special of Doctor Who which is set to air in November.

The three episode celebration will see David Tennant and Catherine Tate return to the show with the villain set to be played by Neil Patrick Harris.

Yasmin Finney will also debut as a character named Rose.

Following the specials, Ncuti Gatwa will take over as the Doctor with Millie Gibson as his companion Ruby Tuesday.

Doctor Who is currently available to stream on iPlayer while classic episodes can be found on BritBox.

Watch below: Billie Piper reacts to Russell T Davies returning to Doctor Who