Despite having a successful stage, television and film career up until 2005 it is perhaps for his role as the ninth incarnation of the Doctor in the BBS's re-vamped Doctor Who that made Christopher Eccleston a true household name.He studied and trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama before making his professional stage debut, at the age of 25, in A Street Car Named Desire.His breakthrough role came in 1991 as Derek Bentley in Let Him Have It who was hanged for murder under controversial circumstances.But it was his regular role in ITV's Cracker that made him a recognisable actor in the UK.Roles in Danny Boyle's Shallow Grave and BBC drama Our Friends In The North, alongside Daniel Craig, led to further recognition.His film career began to take off with a string of roles in 1998's Elizabeth with Cate Blanchett, Gone in Sixty Seconds in 2000 with Nicholas Cage and 28 Days Later in 2002 re-uniting him with Boyle.

In 2004 the BBC announced that Eccleston, as the ninth Doctor, would lead the channel's revival of the sci-fi classic.

He and co-star Billie Piper, as Rose Tyler, led the show to success winning three National Television Awards for Best Actor, Actress and Most Popular Drama Series as well as two BAFTA's, British Academy Television Awards, for Best Drama Series and the audience voted Pioneer Award.

But after just one series with the show Eccleston announced that he would be leaving and season one ended in a climactic regeneration as current Doctor David Tennant took his place.

Since leaving Doctor Who Eccleston has gone on to work in television, film and theatre appearing at the Old Vic theatre in Night Sky and ITV's Perfect Parents.

More recently he joined the cast of the worldwide smash Heroes as Claude Rains who has the power to be invisible.

He can currently be seen as the Rider in the adaptation of the acclaimed Susan Cooper novel the Dark is Rising.

He will also be starring as Dr Jekyll in New Orleans, Mon Amour which is due for release next year.

The Dark Is Rising is out now.

Helen Earnshaw

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