Why Russell T Davies Reported His Relationship to Doctor Who Bosses

Russell T Davies and Oliver Cole confirmed their relationship earlier this year (Picture: Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/Getty Images for The National Theatre)

Russell T Davies has opened up about his relationship with Oliver Cole and why he addressed it with Doctor Who bosses.

The showrunner of the hit BBC sci-fi series, 63, confirmed his relationship with the model, 27, earlier this year.

He and Oliver have frequently shared updates with fans, including a video of Oliver taking a trip around the Tardis last November.

When asked if Oliver was a Doctor Who fan in an interview with The Guardian, Russell said: ‘He is, but that takes about five minutes of conversation; it’s not like we sit there discussing [show antagonist] the Rani.’

However, he said that he reported his relationship to Doctor Who bosses when it began because of this.

‘When it became a relationship, I reported it to the bosses at Doctor Who, in case anyone tried to say I was abusing my position by going out with a fan.’

The Doctor Who showrunner said he told bosses about his relationship because Oliver is a fan (Picture: Instagram/Russell T Davies)

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Russell also recently opened up about the 36-year age gap between the pair, saying he does not see his boyfriend as ‘young’.

‘[He’s] a lot younger; he’s 27, which is ridiculous, I know. But he’s Australian. They’re very grown up, aren’t they, Australians?’, he said while speaking on the How To Fail with Elizabeth Day podcast.

He continued: ‘They know what’s what; he might as well be 40. It’s like, he’s kind of had a hell of a life actually. He’s seen a lot and done a lot and kind of fought his way to get to Britain.’

Russell also spoke about how respectful Oliver is of the memory of his late husband, Andrew Smith.

Smith was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2011 and given a three per cent chance of recovery.

He has previously said how ‘lucky’ he feels to have found love with Oliver after the death of his husband, Andrew Smith, in 2018 (Picture: Instagram/Russell T Davies)

Russell opened up about the everyday things that remind him of his late husband (Picture: Jeff Spicer/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta)

Russell took two and a half years away from work to care for his husband, who died in September 2018, aged 54.

‘My lovely boyfriend Oliver is completely respectful, and when I make him sit and watch The Chase, I’m like, “Andrew loved this. Watch this.” Like that all the time, non-stop,’ he said.

Russell admitted he feels ‘very lucky’ to have found love again after his loss.

Speaking with Gaby Roslin on her podcast, Russell responded to her praise of his ‘lovely boyfriend’ by saying: ‘He’s beautiful, isn’t he? I’m very lucky.’

He added on the latest episode of Reasons To Be Joyful: ‘It’s a year now – it’s been a year since we started saying hello. Amazing. I’m very, very lucky.

‘I was widowed eight years ago, and you kind of think, that’s it – genuinely. And at 63 you do think that’s it. Fine, I’ve had a lovely time. So for this to happen, it’s a great surprise and very lovely.’

To mark a full 12 months together, Russell and Oliver shared an Instagram picture on July 26, taken at a bar.

‘Our first anniversary! We drank all those bottles @mountain.restaurant ♥️’, he captioned it.

‘What joy! Love you both. Happy Annie ❤️’, commented Georgia Tennant, while Tom Read Wilson said: ‘Congratulations! Such a special duo. You give endless glee to this old gleeman x’