Let's make this birthday one to remember.

60 years old (Born on February 16, 1964)

English actor; He is famous from Our Friends in the North, Doctor Who, Shallow Grav.

He passed his driving test in January 2004 but is only qualified to drive an automatic. Is a supporter of Manchester United soccer club. In January 2012, his wife gave birth to his first child, a boy named Albert. Of the ten actors to play the Doctor in "Doctor Who" (1963) and "Doctor Who" (2005), he is the only one who has never worked with Nicholas Courtney, who played Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart in the former from 1968 to 1989 as well as in numerous Big Finish audio dramas. Cast in Terry Gilliam's 'The Man who Killed Don Quixote', but didn't film any scenes before production closed down. In the documentary _Lost in La Mancha_ (2002) his photograph appears on a pinboard featuring photos of the cast.

He has retained his Lancashire accent.

He keeps his private life completely private, no one knew he was married till months after.

He is a vegetarian.

Announced by the BBC as the next actor to play Doctor Who, in a new series to commence in 2005. Will be the first actor to play Doctor Who to be born after the show first commenced in November 1963. [20th March 2004]

Won the most popular actor award at the 11th annual National Television Awards in London, England on October 25, 2005 for his portrayal of the Doctor. His Doctor Who co-star Billie Piper, won for most popular actress.

He follows in a long line of distinguished actors to have portrayed the character of Doctor Who on screen. William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy all played the role in the television series, while Peter Cushing and Paul McGann took the part in spin-offs from the show.

The BBC has recently admitted that they announced his departure too early. It was agreed back in January that he would only do one series and a Christmas special. The announcement of his depature should have be made about halfway through the new series run. [April 2005]

A very keen runner.

Relatively unemployed as an actor for some years after his graduation, Eccleston took a variety of odd jobs at a supermarket, on building sites, and as an artist's model.

Is one of three "Doctor Who" actors who portrayed The Doctor on TV to appear in an episode of "Casualty" (1986). The others are Colin Baker (I) and Sylvester McCoy.

Emailed old friend writer/producer Russell T. Davies and asked to be put on the list of possibles for the title role in the revival of "Doctor Who" (2005) series. He has claimed in interviews that he was not a fan of the original "Doctor Who" (1963) and was really attracted to take the part because of his admiration for Davies as a writer.

Trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama.

Turned down a role in Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan.

His earliest memory of watching "Doctor Who" (1963) is Patrick Troughton in the black-and-white episodes of the late 1960s.