It had to happen I guess...

BBC News is reporting today that Russell T Davies is stepping down as the executive producer of Dr Who. I was actually thinking just a couple of months ago that someone like Russell would never be happy to stay in the same job for years, despite his passion for Dr Who, and I was worried about what would happen if and when he left the show.
Over the last few years Dr Who has once again become an international phenomenon and rightly so because the passion with which many of those working on the show feel about the project shows through in the final product. With such popularity it even spawned 2 spin-off shows (Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures), not to mention its own behind-the-scenes shows Dr Who Confidential, Torchwood DeClassified and Totally Dr Who, thus bringing the brand was brought to a whole new generation of fans.
Steven Moffat is a skillful writer and I pray that he is able to keep up the high standards set by Russell when he takes over the job in 2010, which is when we will have to wait to see the next series after the current one finishes. Apparently next year there will be some Dr Who specials, but no actual series, I think that this may be a business strategy getting the viewing public clamouring for more Dr Who, but who knows. Hopefully the short break will also allow for Steven to set his own mark and style on the series early on and the greatness can continue in a slightly modified (regenerated?) form, as all shows need from time to time. Keep it fresh.
Good luck to Russell with whatever his next project is to be (I'm sure he needs no luck) and good luck also to Steven, he has big shoes to fill.