Injury forces Tennant from Hamlet

Doctor Who actor David Tennant was forced to pull out of a performance of Hamlet on Monday because of an "ongoing back injury".

The 37-year-old is currently starring in the Royal Shakespeare Company production at London's Novello Theatre.

An RSC spokeswoman said: "We're waiting to hear whether he'll be able to perform tonight on press night."

The sold-out production, which also stars Patrick Stewart, has just transferred from Stratford upon Avon.

Edward Bennett, who normally plays Laertes in the production, played Hamlet in Tennant's absence and received a "standing ovation", according to the RSC.

Tickets for the London shows sold out within three hours when they went on sale in September.

However, Tennant's back trouble is not the first problem to have affected the show.

Last week the RSC confirmed it had been targeted by counterfeiters.

Around 800 people were warned to arrive early to performances to exchange tickets over fears forgeries had been issued.

Tennant, who is best known for playing Doctor Who, recently announced he would no longer play the Time Lord.

The actor stepped into the Tardis in 2005, and will leave the role after four special episodes are broadcast in 2009 and 2010.

First the skull, now this.  Alas poor Yorick

Thank goodness he is not appearing in the Scottish Play....