I get three or four emails a week intended for one of the other more famous Russells Davies, specifically Russell T.
I get four types of email
- People who just want to say thanks and offer praise. These are normally very sweet. Especially the ones writing about Queer As Folk. It was obviously important to a lot of people.
- Famous and important people (actors, producers, writers). They're following up on a conversation or angling for work or arranging lunch.
- People with IDEAS. They send scripts and thoughts and suggestions. These are often barmy.
- Haters. Writing to complain about some way Russell T has ruined Doctor Who.
I presume I get these because if you google 'russell davies email' I am high on the list. I've written something enormously prominent on my site making it clear I'm not the Russell Davies anyone wants, but I imagine that also makes the google situation worse. Sometimes, when I get these things, I despair at people's naiveté, sometimes I marvel at their optimism.
I'm never sure whether to respond . I worry about the tiny moment of elation when people think that Russell T has written back - and then the disappointment when they find out he hasn't. But mostly, I don't want them thinking he's ignored them even if he probably should.
So for the first and second lots of people (the fans and the friends) I reply saying, basically, 'sorry, you've reached the wrong Russell Davies - here are the contact details for Russell T's agent.'
For the third lot - the people with IDEAs - I also include these links "there's useful advice about writing/submitting scripts for the BBC and other places here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/
(What I really want to say is - are you crazy? There's no way anyone with any power or influence is going to read your unsolicited scripts and ideas. They just can't. But that seems too brutal. The links above make it clear that the answer to the question - how do I submit ideas to Doctor Who is - become a professional writer, get invited to submit ideas to Doctor Who. Hopefully that lets people down gently.)
I just ignore the fourth lot. I'm a sponge soaking up a tiny amount of the hate that gets directed to public figures. The temptation to reply is obviously considerable but I resist.