David Tennant On The Struggles Throughout His ACTING Career!

Do you get stage fright? You might not be an actor but perhaps you feel the fear when it comes to work presentations or small talk at parties... well, even critically acclaimed actor David Tennant has anxieties around performing under pressure. He reckons little bit of fear can be good to keep you from getting complacent though...
In this chat, Fearne and David talk through how to work through those moments when you feel your brain is going to give up on you.
The naivety of youth can give you a sense of self-confidence, but with age comes the security of having more concrete experiences of things going well to drawn on. This is a really useful coping mechanism to have in your back pocket for when anxiety starts to creep in.
Plus, LGBTQ+ ally David gives his take on whether celebrities like him should use their voice for social activism, and verifies some of the stories Fearne read online about him...
The Rivals is on Disney+ from October 18th.
ABOUT HAPPY PLACE
Fearne's HAPPY PLACE is a place to celebrate honesty, authenticity and community. Fearne delves into life, love, loss and everything in-between by chatting to inspiring individuals who have made a change in their own lives or help other people to find different ways of seeing life as she reveals what happiness means to them.
Happy Place is a space that is safe for all where difference is celebrated and the extraordinary is discovered. A place to focus on the positives and to help you find the joy every day - big or small.
Still haven't subscribed to Fearne Cotton's Happy Place on KZbin? ► bit.ly/371zqza
ABOUT FEARNE COTTON
Fearne Cotton is an English television and radio presenter, mother, broadcaster, writer and founder of Happy Place, a place where Fearne holds difficult but important conversations to encourage self-care and self-appreciation, creating a positive impact on the world, giving everyone a voice and actively listening.
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Twitter: / fearnecotton

[@AA-ln3kn]

It feels illegal to be this early to a David Tennant interview

[@jennilafleur8237]

I’m only here because I saw an ad for it on Facebook. I had no idea it was so new..

[@massivecock4ever]

ur an idiot

[@karenlindley.9756]

Spent a day with David on a fashion shoot. I have to say he is the most down to earth, funny, charming, caring….. you name it human being. ❤

[@kaifisshhh]

Listening to your idol talk about having anxiety during plays while preparing for a play you’re anxious about was quite therapeutic not gonna lie. Thank you david

[@cheesymice]

David is not only a terrific actor but a genuinely lovely human being, and so kind and appreciative of his audience. He's always a joy to watch and listen to.

[@edkwon]

Agreed, he seems genuinely thankful for his success but has never seemed to let the fame get to his head

[@issraspacebean]

We need more people like David in this world

[@janapruskova3620]

He's working on it, there's already at least five :D

[@12345gerrard]

What an actor that has played doctor who there's loads of them around now

[@issraspacebean]

@@12345gerrard you mean the 13 men who have played the doctor? I'm pretty sure we need more than that in this world sadly

[@12345gerrard]

@@issraspacebean at least they have sonic screwdrivers!

[@ADropofScottish]

As a grandmother facing her mortality, meeting David Tennant is the top item on my very short bucket list. Bravo to him for standing up for the marginalized, and for being a conscientious parent, letting his children be themselves (unlike so many, who want to dictate their kids' future)!

[@DorothyCarroll-xy7qz]

Aa a Scottish granny like you I'm so excited to be seeing him later today. Braving being on my own in London in order to do that. 😊🎉

[@bluevortexpng1211]

it's funny how he talks about being so nervous about his memory failing him but he still remembers the color of the jacket he wore when he was 16 and doing his first acting job. i think he's a lot sharper than he gives himself credit for!

[@arnonym5208]

episodic memory

[@cheesymice]

That's the thing about memory as you get older. I can remember the names of all the members of Spandau Ballet and lyrics to songs I haven't heard in 40 years, but struggle to remember my current phone number at times. 😄

[@Dergeytruto]

@cheesymice, don't worry, I'm pretty young and I most definitely cannot remember my current phone number

[@livb6945]

Sweet comment but those are different kinds of memory function

[@LeedsSupporter]

There's different types of memory

[@StubbyandShifu]

If I can listen to David Tennant for the rest of life, I'll be happy. And I have seen the recordings of his Hamlet, Richard II, and Much Ado About Nothing and he is electrifying on stage. He truly belongs on stage.

[@sallyatticum]

I was lucky enough to see RII in person and it was breathtaking... HE was breathtaking.

[@HD.418]

The way he says hi at the start 🥺

[@DinGrogu16]

I'm a pianist and if I think about the piece I'm playing too much I mess up. If I just let my fingers play & turn off my brain it's perfect. I've been playing since aged 7 and never had any issues until I was about 22. I went through a period where I'd get stage fright because I was over thinking. I completely understand what David means when he says the demons are so loud you want to quit. I had to learn to switch my brain off when I went on stage and just play.

[@MissPurbeck]

It's is a relief that someone one admires so much as an actor has compassion, tolerance, common sense and honesty. That he speaks up when he doesn't 'have to'. Just a nice nice guy.

[@canyonmoongray6412]

What a fabulous episode. David is so eloquent, and it's lovely to see and be reminded how human ad down to earth people are even with fame. Thoroughly enjoyed this. I could have listened to you two chat for hours. 💚

[@betmo]

it's never wrong to stand up for vulnerable people of any kind...so thank you ❤

[@arabellachampaq689]

David Tennant your work is so vast, you are so much more impactful on the stage than you could ever be in government. Not because you tell others what to think, but by your very example you validate a critical point of view. Thank you

[@WithADashOfPazazz]

I always love what he says about Billie, I remember at a con he mentioned passing on that hand holding kind of to Freema because she was put in a similar position to him.

[@EmoBearRights]

It's like a nice chain - Chris Eccleston looked after Billie, Billie looked after David, David looked after Frema.

[@ineffablemars]

I need more of this. I could just sit and listen to David talk for hours!!

[@rebeccamcauley4549]

What a brilliant interview. Delighted how raw and honest David is about the realities and pressures of being such a renowned actor. Cheers for getting him on the podcast. Ferne, you are in your element. Love how chilled the conversations are yet how emotions are spoken about 🧡🌼🎤

[@TiffanyParkes]

David is such a wonderful person!!

[@CarolJudeOon]

It's always a gift to get a long Tennant interview; thank you for this new addition! My only complaint is that an hour's not long enough! : - )

[@shell150675]

What a fabulous interview, I could listen to him all day! He is so funny, kind and thoughtful - we really need more Davids in this world.

[@simonevanschaik9224]

He’s just a great gentle soul

[@ornleifs]

Great interview and finally a celebrity is asked how it felt to suddenly become famous - I've often wondered and never heard anyone famous being asked that question.

[@Laura-rp9rt]

He has talked about it before and often discusses it with his podcast guests.

[@Mrriddiford]

This man brings me so much Joy. Thanks for posting this.

[@GoldnDusty]

David's brain, weary and panicking: I've run out of small talk to keep this conversation going. My brain, broken and roaring with dopamine at the opportunity to talk: HELLO, I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SMALL TALK, WOULD YOU LIKE TO DISCUSS ARCHAEOLOGICAL THEORIES?

[@EagernessxX]

Both, both is me.

[@IberianGeek]

Great episode. David Tennant is one of my favourite actors. Greetings from Spain.

[@coolcreeper88]

0:33 “Hi!”~ PLS HE’S SO CUTE 😭

[@K_InTheWater]

It breaks my heart to see Tennant talking about the demons in his head. I've spent so many months loving him, and it pains me that my knowledge of him is so shallow. As a fan of his, I want to get to know him better. And I want to love every part of him. Thanks, David. I thought on the subway after a university lecture today, thank you.

[@healgrowlovecommunity8397]

Great interview - a real insight into David's creative process and life. Really enjoyed it - thank you both.

[@catw589]

Brilliant insights - fame, parenthood, and much more! David is delightful, and Fearne, such a skilled interviewer!

[@Katiewhocanread]

Really beautiful interview - perhaps the most open and thoughtful one I've seen him give. I feel honoured to get that insight into his mind. Please give him a hug from me (er, random fangirl) next time you see him (if you are the hugging kind of friends, of course.)

[@Thelmageddon]

I think we all concur! Could he please have a hug from us via you, and I promise if I see him in public I will pretend I haven't, so he can be slightly more anonymous ❤

[@editbyriley]

this was such a lovely conversation!! so heartfelt and honest from both sides. loved it

[@jeanninecalder3652]

Thank you Georgia 🥰

[@ernestoyepez5103]

I can and will say. I adore this man.

[@Orah90]

I knew that David was a dad and that he did normal everyday parenting things like take the kids to school and play dates and homework etc but to here him talk about it with another parent just gave me whiplash.

[@alisonfowler6224]

Absolutely enjoyed this interview with David! My favourite actor and Dr yet also a genuine person as well. X

[@kellynkell9]

Beautiful conversation - thank you, great questions for David!

[@trevorberridge6079]

That was an amazing interview by Fearne. And David is so giving and free with his answers. One of the best interviews I've seen in recent years. Just on the subject of fans becoming part of Dr Who: Peter Capaldi wanted to run the Dr Who Fan Club when he was a youngster and was rejected in quite snotty terms. Becoming the Doctor was the ultimate revenge on the teenager that was in charge of the club at the time. And fans of his work will remember that Peter played a character in ancient Rome in Dr Who before he became the face of the Doctor. That show is a self-perpetuating entity.

[@maddy.8915]

And his character in Torchwood! That was an amazing performance!

[@Different_Not_Broken]

I met DT in 2019 at comic con best 5 secs of me life. Anything with david in im watching

[@bojangles_mcduff9700]

Excellent questions for David and an insightful conversation. Thank you so much for this beautiful interview ❤

[@Lea-zf7lm]

What a joy to discover this interview. I have no idea who she is, but I love the way she lets people chat and doesn't constantly interrupt them. And lovely, lovely David Tennant! What's not to like! Thank you so very much. Off to check out the other interviews available.

[@Team_Tennant]

What a wholesome interview - thank you guys! 🫶

[@victoriahouse9969]

If you haven't watched him in Casanova from 2005. It's available on DVD. He is brilliant in it. 3 hours of Tennant. ❤

[@jennymoore9280]

🎉first comment 🎉 As a autistic person I can safely say that you really don't need small talk 😅😅 it just makes everyone awkward after a while 😅😅

[@Thecottagebookworm]

I hate small talk

[@percypino8962]

Right. I am autistic, too. 😬

[@kaifisshhh]

although it’s true that shakespeare is not something you can ad lib, i will say that i was in a production of midsummer where, during a heated scene, lysander forgot his lines and after a considerable gap he just went “ya know what i think?” and the audience LOST IT. it was the most they’d laughed all night.

[@kaifisshhh]

David was inspired into acting by doctor who, and now he’s inspired some of us into acting via doctor who. truly full circle

[@RPdyke]

I saw this on David's fan facebook page. Imagine my surprise when I realise it was uploaded ONE hour ago. It does indeed feel illegal to be this early to a David Tennant video 😂

[@alisonscott1469]

greatest doctor ever in doctor who - I love David John MacDonald (Tennant). 🥰🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@carolinesmith6450]

Ooooooh what a booking! So excited for this!

[@emmelsbin]

oh he’s just the best!

[@morganjackson6910]

We love a Billie piper mention from David 🫶🏼

[@KascoTEB]

Unfathomably based 💖

[@jscire__872]

I feel like lot of this heavily comes back to concepts in parts work therapy (IFS), I suppose that being able to intentionally generate brain states & emotions needs a quite a lot of internal work and self understanding. Fascinating ❤

[@elench257]

Luv him, brilliant actor and great human. Though as soon as he mentioned ‘Mr Boman’ I was transported back to that high school 😖 (I was a few yrs behind and never met David unfortunately but do vividly remember the teachers…)

[@PicardUK]

Oh how amazing the world would be with more people like David ❤

[@AmandaRogersarock1988]

I saw David in Rivals and instantly thought who is this man and have also binged Broadchurch. Rivals was so fantastic. The music and characters reeled me in. David seems like such a lovely fellow!

[@dharmakelleherauthor]

Love this! What a marvelous, kind human being.

[@sumar207]

This is such a well-executed interview that puts so much into perspective.

[@Vmtdj6848]

That is what I call an in depth interview

[@BrettWhitmarsh]

The neurodivergence is so strong on this episode

[@TimpanistMoth_AyKayEll]

I appreciate this man a whole lot.

[@optimistnow7491]

Loving your work Mr Tennant x

[@duskgisellelittleg]

Early DT fans like button

[@sabrinatirabassi3529]

Big Finish anyone?

[@zoesnow8966]

Used to listen to BBC Radio 1 all the time in my car in the states when I had satellite radio. Always loved Fearne’s show at the time, and haven’t heard her voice since she left Radio 1. KZbin randomly suggested this video to me today (for David Tennant), and while listening to it I kept thinking this person sounded so much like Fearne Cotton. Had no clue that she had a KZbin channel now. Was such a nice surprise when I went to check who the host of this interview was. Subscribed ❤

[@AngieRIamHIS4Life]

I could listen to David Tennant read the ingredients on a box of cereal! Oh, that amazing voice!! 💓💗

[@Aceofspades2006]

Georgia is a queen

[@hippomancy]

the spirit of the man, that he is just as entertaining (if not moreso) by being himself and not a character, is remarkable. although the "interview personality" doing small talk is also probably not quite the real man...

[@suseal]

such a brilliant interview!! thank you! 🧡

[@tmtvj]

The fact that i am so early here says a lot.

[@Thecottagebookworm]

Same 😂

[@parinikasharma317]

Whoever dresses David Tennant knows what they're doing. When the creator created David Tennant, they knew what they were doing.

[@katrineroberts4084]

Thank you so much. It is such a class in qcting and speeches

[@jennifertiemann2104]

He seems such a sweet person. Hopefully, someday, I'll have a chance to say hi to him at a con. (At least that's the plan).

[@rachel9913]

We're being fed new DT content?? Here's me sat 😌

[@Jackflip1996]

Watched this so decided to give rivals a look it’s amazing very 80’s which I love

[@R.-bi9gk]

I remember him in “Takin Over the Asylum”. Check it out.

[@filozica867]

i love this human - hes amazing

[@elisavetdp]

What a beautiful, genuine human being ❤

[@michellemunn7959]

I love David Tennant he is so much fun to watch. I hope will be on disneyplus in canada as well

[@SuperJess135]

Gotta thank the algorithm for knowing i needed to see this

[@jasmingovers4403]

This was lovely and so insightful thank you both😊

[@Ripcurlgrl]

As Jason Donovan is an Aussie he should be used to being called Jace - it is a very common abbreviation in Australia. Actually, I don't know a Jason that I don't call Jace. 😊

[@Mulan30]

Oh gosh the thing about small talk is so relatable to me especially as a nurse lol. I hate small talk and sometimes I struggle during small interactions with not having anything to keep the conversation going like David said. 😂

[@vroomfondel42]

Great interview. Watched it while waiting anxiously for a job interview, so a lot of the discussions felt fitting for me today!

[@OutlyingOkapi]

6:56 Not me only now learning that's why the northern news section on itv is called "Granada reports" 🤯🤯🤯

[@sabrinatirabassi3529]

Never understood why Granada. Isn't it a spanish town?

[@mayhamilton6652]

Love this ❤

[@JeM130177]

Best human❤

[@pauldavies961]

Really enjoyed this, two amazing minds..

[@carollollol]

I just can't not like this guy. What a darling. 💕

[@spenmac]

I have lots of time for Mr Tenant.

[@mariannekathleen7666]

David Tennant is currently my car air freshener

[@katrineroberts4084]

The concorde took off from Heathrow on Friday lunchtime and blotted out 1/2 my piano lesson. Thankyou concorde.

[@michaelgriffiths7937]

My goat

[@hollymatton474]

Absolutely love this! ❤❤

[@K_InTheWater]

25:20 Every time I have a panic attack, I have to think like Tennant. This is how I should live. However, my panic attacks are new every time.

[@AusticHardOfHearingSinger]

When David was talking about how different it is to work as an actor in theater instead of in television show acting for television, I think what he was looking to say was that the processes of putting shows together and the processes of putting plays together for actors and producers are different.

[@katherinecollins4685]

Very interesting

[@l3ssc4k3s7]

TE AMO DAVIIIID

[@MissPurbeck]

"It's not recent any more" :-) Laughing because it does seem like yesterday, it always comes as a shock that it was so long ago when I was young.

[@jackdubz4247]

One of Scotland's favourite sons.

[@sarahjanesmith3110]

Great podcast

[@oneworldfamily]

Peter Divison's Dr Who has the best version of the theme tune by far. Perhaps I think that because he was my Dr, but it's still got all the right parts and is the iconic version, much like The Spy Who Loved Me is the iconic Bond film.

[@livb6945]

Oooh David Tennant ❤