Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies has revealed he reported his relationship with boyfriend Oliver Cole to the show's bosses when it began, to prevent any suggestion he was abusing his position.
The 63-year-old confirmed his relationship with the 27-year-old model earlier this year. The couple have regularly shared updates with fans, including a video of Oliver touring the Tardis last November.
Asked by The Guardian whether Oliver is a Doctor Who fan, Davies said: 'He is, but that takes about five minutes of conversation; it's not like we sit there discussing [show antagonist] the Rani.'
Why he told Doctor Who bosses
He explained that he reported the relationship to the show's leadership when it became serious. 'When it became a relationship, I reported it to the bosses at Doctor Who, in case anyone tried to say I was abusing my position by going out with a fan.'
Davies has also discussed the 36-year age gap between the pair, saying he does not view his boyfriend as 'young'. '[He's] a lot younger; he's 27, which is ridiculous, I know. But he's Australian. They're very grown up, aren't they, Australians?', he said on the How To Fail with Elizabeth Day podcast.
He added: 'They know what's what; he might as well be 40. It's like, he's kind of had a hell of a life actually. He's seen a lot and done a lot and kind of fought his way to get to Britain.'
Respect for late husband's memory
Davies spoke about how Oliver respects the memory of his late husband, Andrew Smith. Smith was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2011 and given a three per cent chance of recovery. Davies took two and a half years off work to care for him before Smith died in September 2018, aged 54.
'My lovely boyfriend Oliver is completely respectful, and when I make him sit and watch The Chase, I'm like, "Andrew loved this. Watch this." Like that all the time, non-stop,' he said.
Davies admitted he feels 'very lucky' to have found love again after his loss. Speaking with Gaby Roslin on her podcast, he responded to her praise of his 'lovely boyfriend' by saying: 'He's beautiful, isn't he? I'm very lucky.'
First anniversary
On the latest episode of Reasons To Be Joyful, he added: 'It's a year now – it's been a year since we started saying hello. Amazing. I'm very, very lucky.'
'I was widowed eight years ago, and you kind of think, that's it – genuinely. And at 63 you do think that's it. Fine, I've had a lovely time. So for this to happen, it's a great surprise and very lovely.'
To mark a full 12 months together, Davies and Oliver shared an Instagram picture on July 26, taken at a bar. 'Our first anniversary! We drank all those bottles @mountain.restaurant ♥️', he captioned it.
'What joy! Love you both. Happy Annie ❤️', commented Georgia Tennant, while Tom Read Wilson said: 'Congratulations! Such a special duo. You give endless glee to this old gleeman x'.
