Christopher Eccleston, 43, the actor David, 35, replaced as the Doctor on the BBC sci-fi show, did not make the top 10. The poll for radiotimes.com was conducted to find the coolest character - defined as laidback and sexy - on TV.

The Fonz in the Seventies TV show Happy Days, played by Henry Winkler, now 61, came third.

Colin Firth’s heart-fluttering turn as Mr Darcy in the TV adaptation of Jane Austen favourite Pride And Prejudice is fourth, followed by The Cat in Eighties comedy series Red Dwarf, brought to life by Danny John-Jules.

No women made it into the top 10 list, voted for by more than 4,000 TV fans.

Sixth place went to chauvinist DCI Gene Hunt in Life On Mars, played by Philip Glenister, while his politically correct fellow cop Sam Tyler does not get a look-in.

Big Brother’s Little Brother host Dermot O’Leary, in seventh position, was the only non-fictional character to make it into the top 10, while The Magic Roundabout’s rabbit Dylan (ninth) is the sole animated character.

Others in the top 10 include Columbo (Peter Falk) and Sawyer in Lost (Josh Holloway).

Radio Times deputy TV editor David Butcher said: "David Tennant is so hugely popular as the Doctor - he looks like becoming a bit of an icon."

Doctor Who’s new assistant unveiled - Mar 22 2007
Doctor Who’s David Tennant showed off his new assistant as the show’s executive producer confirmed there would be a fourth series.

A string of celebrities stepped out to welcome Freema Agyeman who will play the new sidekick Martha Jones in the third series with David Tennant as the Doctor.

But a question mark still looms over whether David Tennant will continue his role. Neither David nor Russell T Davies - the executive producer and one of the writers - would answer who the fourth series Doctor would be.

When asked if he would return, David said: "Do you know how many times I have been asked that question? Do you know how many times I have answered it?" then he smiled.

Speaking about his new assistant, he said: "The big story is Freema Agyeman is Martha Jones which is the big event of series three.

"Finishing one relationship is always difficult, but then you plunge right into another one, that’s what I find works best."

Freema said: "Billie (Piper) did a tremendous job. I know no-one likes change but the nature of the show is change and hopefully fans will be cool with that and give me a chance.

"There are similarities between Martha and Rose. She’s not a wall flower and there is a lovely and different relationship with her and the Doctor.

"It’s been an amazing experience. I did not know what I was auditioning for until the last minute.

"The fans outside were so warm and welcoming."

David hints at end of Doctor? - Feb 26 2007
It seems Doctor Who star David Tennant has hinted that the legendary Time Lord may be knocked off.

The 35-year-old, who reprises the role on our screens next month, is quoted by the Daily Star as saying: "People always ask me how long I’m going to play him.

"But who knows what’s going to happen. There’s something big at the end of the new series. You’ll have to see if he makes it."

It is rumoured the actor - who is the 10th person to play the part - will not return to the role of the time traveller after the next series.

Meanwhile, Hugh Grant is rumoured to be in talks to play a part in the sci-fi programme.