Russell T Davies has often spoken of how he offered the lead in Doctor Who to Hugh Grant back in 2004 – but how come Grant has no memory of it happening?

Speaking exclusively to Digital Spy, Davies explained that the pitch "never got past [Grant's] agent".

The pair finally worked together on the upcoming BBC One three-parter A Very English Scandal, a darkly comic drama about the Jeremy Thorpe scandal in the 1970s: Thorpe (a rising star in politics, played here by Grant) attempted to murder his former lover Norman Scott (Ben Whishaw) for fear that news of their relationship could ruin his career.

BBC/Blueprint Television Ltd

"I was delighted," Davies said of Grant's casting. "Literally, I've wanted to work with Hugh Grant for decades.

"We did ask him to be Doctor Who in 2004. I have to say, that never got past his agent. I told him this. He was completely oblivious.

"With that level of star, you approach the agent and they just kick it out the window. 'Would Hugh like to come to Cardiff for a year?' 'No!'"

Speaking separately about the approach, Grant confirmed to us that the offer never reached him. "I've heard that [Doctor Who] rumour but I don't remember anyone ever coming to me... my agent, no.

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"But I adore Russell, he's a real genius. He did send me something [else]... was it called Banana? But it was ages ago. I can't remember why I didn't do it."

Picking up the story, Davies suggested that it was actually his 2015 Channel 4 series Cucumber that was sent to Grant (rather than its E4 spin-off Banana). "I've offered him a part in every drama I've made for the past 10 years," Davies admitted. "I really, really love him. But I could never get past the front desk!

"You need the name of [A Very English Scandal director] Stephen Frears to say, 'Hugh, love, come and do this,' it's all about the telephone number... once you've got their telephone number, you're in there! That's the trick to it."

A Very English Scandal begins next Sunday (May 20) at 9pm on BBC One.

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