David Tennant has revealed how his father helped him get his first acting job.
The Doctor Who and Rivals star, 53, admitted that he is a ‘nepo baby’ after his late father – who used to be a TV minister – used his contacts to help get his son’s foot through the door in the industry.
David’s father Sandy Macdonald passed away aged 78 in 2016, but prior to that he co-presented religious programmes including That’s The Spirit on Scottish television.
Discussing his father, David said on his podcast David Tennant Does A Podcast With: ‘He didn’t know the drama people at Scottish television, but he knew there was a drama department.
‘I suppose because he had a bit of an in, he knew how to get to it. This is absolutely nepotism. If I’m a nepo baby, this is the moment’.
Get personalised updates on Doctor Who
Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.
Before he headed off to drama school, David went on to add that his father sent some photos of him to Scottish Television.
‘Not somebody he knew, but he found a desk for them to land on. A man called Haldane Duncan, who was a producer-director,’ he said.
‘Of course, there’s so many elements of luck here, but they landed on his desk as he was looking for a 15-year-old to be in a children’s drama called Dramarama, which was a kind of anthology show.
‘There was only three channels back then, remember? And he was looking to cast a ghost story that needed three teenagers, and this landed on his desk, and he got me in, and I got a part in a Dramarama.’
Earlier this year, David spoke to Metro about another aspect of his personal life, confirming a rumour about whether or not he had six toes.
He also recently took a swipe at JK Rowling after the acclaimed author ignited a feud with him on social media.
While signing autographs at Planet Comicon Kansas City, he was asked about the upcoming Harry Potter TV series, which has been green-lit by HBO and is set to premiere in 2027.
The host of the panel quizzed the Scottish star on whether he’d like to play any characters, with the casting process currently underway and since David played Barty Crouch Jr in the Goblet of Fire.
His response, however, was rather scathing, as he subtly alluded to his beef with writer Rowling, 59, who is producing the series.
‘I mean, they’re great stories,’ the Broadchurch actor began. ‘I feel like my contribution has probably been made.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.