David Tennant was born David John McDonald in Scotland, to a father who was a Presbyterian minister. Brought up in Bathgate, he attended Paisley Grammar school and was first noticed by Scottish television at a Saturday youth club he attended. He trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. In 2005, David was cast to play the role of the Doctor in the BBC's new series of "Doctor Who" alongside Billie Piper, after Christopher Eccleston decided to leave.