David Tennant
Born in Bathgate, West Lothian, David John McDonald grew up in Ralston, Renfrewshire, where his father was the local minister.
Educated at Ralston Primary and Paisley Grammar School, David went on to study at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.
Because there was already an actor called David McDonald, David adopted the stage name David Tennant - inspired by Pet Shop Boys lead singer Neil Tennant.
Performances with the Royal Shakespeare Company were followed by lead roles in several high profile BBC dramas for the BBC, including Takin' Over the Asylum, He Knew He Was Right, Blackpool, Casanova and The Quatermass Experiment.
David's film roles including Bright Young Things, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Jude, in which he shared a scene with former Doctor Christopher Eccleston.
He has also appeared in several Doctor Who-related audio dramas for Big Finish, including Dalek Empire III.
In 2006, David traced his family tree in the popular genealogy series, Who Do You Think You Are?
Aside from lots more Doctor Who, David's upcoming roles include the BBC drama Recovery and the film Free Jimmy.