ACTOR Christopher Eccleston has a tough act to follow when he becomes the latest Doctor Who in less than a fortnight's time.

Ex-Time Lord Tom Baker has been named Britain's favourite, in a poll conducted to mark the new series of the show on BBC One. He was the fourth actor to play Doctor Who in the TV series, taking up the role from 1974-1981.

Peter Davison, who took over from Baker in 1981, was second. Jon Pertwee, who played the Doctor from 1970-1974, was third, while seventh actor Sylvester McCoy and original Doctor William Hartnell completed the top five.

Dave Golder, editor of SFX magazine which carried out the poll, said Little Hulton born Eccleston, who is playing the Doctor in the new series, had a tough act to follow. He said: "The ninth Doctor will have to be pretty amazing to topple Tom Baker from his perch."