INTERVIEW: Getting Personal With David Tennant

Have you ever adopted a pseudonym and, if so, why?

Well, David Tennant is actually a pseudonym my real name is David McDonald, but Equity forbade me from using it. There's a guy at the Glasgow Citizen's Theatre called Richard David McDonald who I think may have got there first.

Have you ever lied about your age and, if so, why?

Never, although every other actor does, so I'm starting to think I should.

How would you describe yourself in a lonely hearts ad?

Tall, skinny Scottish bloke seeks dissimilar.

What was the last illegal thing you did?

I couldn't possibly comment.

What was the last kind-hearted thing you did?

I couldn't possibly comment.

Who's the nicest person you've ever worked with?

Anne-Marie Duff.

What are the initials of the most unpleasant person you've ever worked with?

BR.

Has a critic ever made you cry?

Yes I was playing King Arthur in Edinburgh, which was only my second job, and the review in The Scotsman said: `The cast of 18 are uniformly excellent, with the exception of David Tennant, who lacks any charm or ability whatsoever." Which I have to say floored me for quite a while.

What would you advertise without a fee?

A charity I believed in/Honeynut Shredded Wheat.

What would you never advertise?

The Conservative Party/McDonalds.

What wakes you up screaming at 4 in the morning?

The upstairs boiler overflow pipe dripping outside my window.

What takes you to a `happy place'?

The number 91 bus.

David Tennant stars in LA Without A Map, which is on release now.

Source: The Guardian September 1999