And its clear that the pair had been having a whale of a time.

So, hows your day going?

David Tennant:Good, good.

Weve just finished a very long scene, and its now complete, which is a good feeling!

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Matt Smith:Yeah!

Weve had John [Hurt], Billie [Piper], Ingrids in as well today.

What can you tell us about the dynamic between you two Doctors?

DT:In the script?

Well, how would you describe it?

DT:But I think they quite enjoy being in each others presence as well.

MS:They get on, and then they dont get on.

And then they get on.

Youre doing different portrayals of the same character.

I think the fun is in the gap between the two.

You know, why are you reacting like that…?

MS:Of course!

DT:They bicker a little, yes.

But they quite like each other!

And felt very different I think.

I described it as having Stan Laurel and Stan Laurel, and not having Hardy anywhere!

David, did you ever think youd be back?

DT:Well, theres precedent for it I suppose!

I was aware when I left that the 50th anniversary wasnt that far away.

you’re able to speculate by putting two and two together.

The moment you leave, theyre asking when are you coming back.

It was always, I suppose, something that might happen.

[To Matt] Thats what youll get asked!

So there were never any doubts about doing it?

DT:Well, I had a wonderful time.

I left this very happy.

What was the starting point?

A call from Steven Moffat?

DT:The very first conversation I had was a very casual one at a social event with Steven.

He said that, you know, the 50th is rumbling around, there might be an idea.

But at that point it was very speculative.

The actual this is definitely happening wasnt really nailed down until relatively recently.

But its genuinely been quite last minute coming together.

How has it actually felt being back now that it has come together?

DT: Its been really good fun, actually.

I sort of thought this will be great, Ill say yes to this.

Then of course as the day approaches, its a slightly odd sensation.

What if it feels like Im stepping on Matts toes?

Or what if I cant remember how to do it?

There are lots of things you become slightly nervous about.

As a fan, how does this compare to previous anniversary specials?

I rememberThe Five Doctorswhen I was 12 being about the most exciting thing that had ever happened.

So to be part of something that will have the same excitement for a new generation is a thrill.

Did they have to dig your costume out of a crate?!

So I think weve only got two.

And I think they found a stunt man one!

So weve got two and a big one!

If they get ripped there are not a lot of replacements!

So what was it like the first time you stepped on set wearing the costume again?

DT:Peculiar because its completely familiar.

Because you do it every day for years, theres a sort of muscle memory to it.

And yet theres a surely Im too old to be doing this.

A weird mix of sensations.

But the first day, Matt wasnt there.

The first day it was just me, and I was like oh yes, I remember this.

The next day it becomes something different again.

MS:We were on the TARDIS werent we?

Is there TARDIS etiquette?

[Laughs]

MS:There may or may not be more than one TARDIS!

DT:Thats true.

Im not saying which TARDIS we were on!

MS:And therefore what laws apply depends on which TARDIS youre on!

What are you most excited about seeing on screen?

MS:I thinkDoctor Whowas born to be 3D on some level, thats really exciting.

The Zygons are back.

I think for me its about the meeting.

Its about the meeting, the its you, and its you.

Thats the bit of the script that I really loved doing.

There are all sorts of things that are going to look great in 3D I think.

Trafalgar Square, dangling down.

Youve got a great entrance.

DT:Thanks very much, love!

How was Trafalgar Square and the dangling?

Were you scared at all?

MS:No, it was great!

I had to persuade them to let me go up.

DT:Im quite jealous that you got to do that.

People have reported that I did not go the whole way up, FYI!

DT:I think what really works with this is that the script is really story led.

And thats in a way not quite what you might expect.

It could just be a celebration, but its a lot more than that.

MS:And I think the scale of it is one of the biggest weve ever done.

Having David back, having Billie back.

It sprinkles a bit of fairy dust on it just for that.

How do you react to the return of Rose Tyler?

MS:Obviously I cant tell you a thing, can I!

But Rose Tyler is around.

Im great friends with Billie so its lovely to have her here.

We said lets just make five a year each!

MS:But obviously I dont want to give too much away about narrative, and reactions to people.

We should save that for the day.

MS:No, she didnt.

Because I didnt even know that they were going to ask her.

DT:Billie and I have both been accused of being lying.

I think I lied once, quite recently, but basically it has all come together recently.

We would be cooped up, locked up somewhere!

Was it quite key do you think that Billie had to come back?

That has to come from them.

MS:Theyre cleverer than us!

DT:Us providing a wishlist of things wed like at work wouldnt necessarily make the best story choices!

Im thrilled that shes around.

Could you talk about the unique qualities that Jenna and Billie bring to the companion roles?

MS:Each Doctor has a very individual relationship with their own companion.

I can speak on behalf of Jenna because obviously I havent worked with Billie in quite the same way.

She refuses to go on trips with him, which is bizarre, but I think intrigues him.

DT:Well, Billie I think is one of the countrys great actors.

MS:And shes left a legacy with Rose.

I think Rose is one of the great companions, you know?

It was Roses point of view, the Doctor was a secondary character.

Which is kind of how it was back in 1963.

I think though the centrality of that relationship has been key to the show.

Doctor Who has been bouncing around lots of different genres, particularly in the series just gone.

Would you say this one has shades of a mismatched buddy cop thing?

MS:There are moments, yeah.

And I think our Doctors quite like each other.

DT:And then get surprised at how little they like each other!

MS:But theyre sort of more evenly matched than buddy cops as well.

But theres a bit of that.

And also theres a great big alien plot in the middle of it.

DT:And it slips in and out of the epic, effortlessly.

So you have those brief, fun enjoyable moments, when theyre bickering, or working together.

And then itll go somewhere much bigger, and grander and scarier.

The Zygons were always a favourite of yours werent they David?

DT:Theyre a design classic the Zygons, arent they?

I mean, theyve hardly been touched since the 1970s design.

And yeah, theyre great to have around.

Theyre great to squeeze!

That big head of latex!

You could sink your teeth into!

MS:The suckers!

Chew on a sucker!

Whats the campest thing about working on Doctor Who?

MS:The campest thing?

[Laughs]

DT:Yeah, out-camping each other.

MS:With John Hurt just moving his eyes.

DT:Yeah, but Captain Jack himself isnt that camp.

MS:Thats true.

DT:Doctor Who, I suppose theres something camp about it.

MS:It has weight and gravitas.

David, youve proven theres a lot of life after the Doctor.

Matt, is that reassuring?

MS:Obviously, one hopes for a career into ones 30s and 40s!

But at the moment, this is the all-consuming thing.

So this is the focus.

But yet, I would like a career afterDoctor Who!

I think youll be alright!

David and Matt, thank you very much!