David Suchet will miss Poirot, but it’s time for some comedy

DAVID SUCHET says departing Doctor Who Peter Capaldi will be viewed as a legendary Time Lord.

The Scot is handing over the keys of the TARDIS this year, having decided to quit.

And former Poirot star David, 70, who appears in this week’s episode, reckons the series will be losing a real heavyweight.

“I’m an old-timer and I go right back to William Hartnell as my favourite Doctor,” David told iN10.

“He made a big impression on me.

“Because he was an elderly Doctor he was a figure of authority and, for me, some of the young Doctors didn’t have that maturity. Peter has that authority, maturity and gravitas, as well as a very enjoyable twinkle.

“I think he will go down as the one of the great Doctors. And having worked with him, I’d have to say he was now my favourite Doctor.”

The pair first worked together when Peter was a prime suspect in a Poirot called Wasps’ Nest back in 1991.

And they shared a screen again the following year in The Secret Agent.

But their acting paths hadn’t crossed again for quarter of a century – until Doctor Who.

“It was a grand reunion because I’m a great admirer,” reveals David.

“He’s a superlative artist as well as a charming person, and that’s a rare quality.

“He welcomed me royally on to the set and we spent so many good times off camera chatting about our lives and our careers.”

Knock Knock is the name of the episode, with David as a landlord who may, or may not, be as nice as he initially seems.

The weird on-screen world of the Doctor was mirrored off-screen, with David revealing a bizarre coincidence.

“Back at Christmas 2015, my wife and I rented a house in Cardiff for a family break.

“When we came to Doctor Who, which is filmed in Cardiff, they rented the very same house on the outskirts of the city – and I didn’t even realise.

“As an actor I was coming in the back door to the dressing rooms and it was all decorated very differently for the programme. It was only after about three days that it dawned on me.

“Isn’t that such a strange thing? Think of all the houses they could have picked.”

David last played the fussy little Belgian sleuth in 2013, having given the “leetle grey cells” their first workout in 1989.

Along the way there were 13 series and 70 episodes, with David having had the satisfaction of being in adaptations of every major literary work by Agatha Christie featuring the character.

It’s a role, he admits, that could hardly be closer to his heart.

“I remember him with enormous fondness,” says David.

“He became my very best friend.

“I look back on the series with great affection and I still miss him.

“But the baton has to be passed and no actor should ever own a role.

“I wish whoever plays him next – and that is happening – not only great good fortune, but a lot of pleasure.

“I still have mementoes. I was presented with my cane when we finished filming and I have the very last moustache I wore, in a frame.”

As well as being one of TV’s most respected actors, David has also been a theatre heavyweight with a clutch of acclaimed, award-winning performances to his name.

But more recently he has been able to demonstrate his lighter touch in the BBC1 adaptation of Evelyn Waugh’s Decline And Fall.

And, even more so, in the Christmas slapstick of Peter Pan Goes Wrong.

And a bit of fun is more than welcome.

“I’m free to pick and choose roles these days and it’s lovely to be discovered doing comedy,” adds Peter.

“It’s like a reinvention of myself.

“I’ve been aching to do more comedy for about the last 30 years.

“Suddenly, it’s coming my way, and I’m so happy about that.

“I love comedy and really do relish the chance to do it.”

Doctor Who, BBC1, Saturday, 7.20pm.