Renowned television writer and producer Russell T Davies has embarked on a new romantic chapter, finding love with aspiring model Oliver Cole. The couple's relationship, which features a significant age gap, has become public through social media hints and shared moments from the iconic Doctor Who set.
A Festive Revelation and TARDIS Hints
The 62-year-old Doctor Who creator made the relationship public over the Christmas period. He posted a selfie on Instagram featuring himself and 27-year-old Oliver Cole, simply captioning it: 'Merry Christmas! From me & Oliver'. However, fans of the cult sci-fi series had already begun to speculate about their connection a month earlier.
In November, Oliver, who is also an Australian waiter, shared a video on his own social media exploring the legendary TARDIS set. The playful footage immediately sparked rumours among the show's dedicated fanbase that he might be in line to play the next Time Lord. Oliver captioned the video: '27- Another Year Passes. But it's alright I have a TARDIS x'.
He later reassured fans he was 'Not the new Doctor Promise x', while Russell left a birthday message in the comments, offering an early clue to their close bond.
First Love Since Loss: A Journey of Grief and Care
This relationship marks a significant personal milestone for Davies, as it is his first serious relationship since the death of his husband, Andrew Smith, in 2018. Smith, a customs officer, passed away after a long battle with a brain tumour. The couple had been together for more than two decades.
Davies put his prolific career on hold for two-and-a-half years to care for Andrew during his illness. Reflecting on this period, he later said, 'I was surprised by how many people were surprised that I did that.' In a 2019 interview with the Radio Times, he described caring for his late husband as 'the greatest work I’ll ever do on this Earth'.
He poignantly shared the profound loneliness following his loss: 'I knew I would miss loving him, but what I didn’t know I would miss is being loved. That’s quite hard. That’s hideous, actually. No one warns you about that.'
A New Chapter of Joy and Understanding
A close friend of the couple revealed to The Daily Mail that Oliver has 'brought a great deal of joy into Russell's life' and that they make each other genuinely happy. The friend added, 'Despite the age gap, they're very much on the same wavelength – this relationship feels like one for the long haul.'
Davies has often spoken about his enduring love for Andrew, once stating that if he had a real TARDIS, he would travel back to the night they met in Manchester in 1998. Now, with Oliver Cole, he appears to be writing a new, joyful chapter, finding happiness once again after a period of immense grief.
