Peter Davison is leaving Twitter following the uproar over his Doctor Who casting comments…

Last week, Peter Davison managed to accidentally ignite the internet by arguing that the casting of Jodie Whittaker in Doctor Who was “the loss of a role model for boys”. He said so amidst a flurry of otherwise very positive comments about the casting, and Whittaker herself. That said, his role model comment was quickly countered by his own successor in the TARDIS, Colin Baker. But the row rumbled on.

Now, Davison has clarified his comments, and has decided to leave Twitter as a consequence of the row.

He sent out the following three Tweets before doing so…

For the record I didn't say I had doubts about Jodie. I said "she's a terrific actress and will do a wonderful job and we need to open it..

— Peter Davison (@PeterDavison5) July 24, 2017

..up". I also urged uncertain fans to be supportive about change. It was a caveat about role models in an otherwise positive answer..

— Peter Davison (@PeterDavison5) July 24, 2017

All this toxicity about a sci-fi show has been sobering, so I'm calling it a day. @PeterDavison5 used to be fun. Now it's not. Must Dash. xx

— Peter Davison (@PeterDavison5) July 24, 2017

He also got support from Janet Fielding, who co-starred with him in the show as Tegan…

Stop giving Peter D a hard time. I get his point about Dr Who being a rare positive role model for boys. He's a feminist not a dinosaur.

— Janet Fielding (@jfmouthonlegs) July 23, 2017

Exactly. And he has a good point. Don't tell him I said so – but he's a lovely man. It really upsets me that peeps are giving him grief. https://t.co/aDBxGnPsKn

— Janet Fielding (@jfmouthonlegs) July 23, 2017

Peter Davison’s Twitter account, while it’s still there, can be found here.