Russell T Davies received an honorary fellowship last week

Russell T Davies, 42, debuted at number 14 in the Media Guardian 100 list, above Jamie Oliver and Little Britain creators Matt Lucas and David Walliams.

The annual list ranks media professionals by cultural influence, economic weight and political power.

Two more series of Doctor Who, made by BBC Wales, have been commissioned.

The show was away from TV screens for 16 years before returning earlier this year starring Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper, although Eccleston has now been replaced by Scottish actor David Tennant.

He has a huge, joyful appetite for television and, in Doctor Who, he's found a format that challenges and rewards his immense talent Julie Gardner, BBC Wales

It is not the first time Mr Davies will have worked with Tennant, who also starred with Peter O'Toole in Mr Davies' popular Casanova series on BBC Three.

Julie Gardner, the head of BBC Wales drama said: "Russell T Davies has extraordinary talent as both a writer and a producer.

"As a writer, he is a masterful storyteller, able to juxtapose effortlessly humour and tragedy whilst creating engaging, real characters that an audience can care about.

"As a producer, Russell is an inspiration - he is hardworking, ceaselessly enthusiastic and able to make people believe they can achieve the impossible.

Rose (Billie Piper) starring opposite a Dalek in Doctor Who

"Doctor Who has the fortune of having found a great lead writer-executive producer in Russell - he has a huge, joyful appetite for television and, in Doctor Who, he's found a format that challenges and rewards his immense talent."

Mr Davies' other programmes also include Queer as Folk, The Second Coming, Bob and Rose and Mine All Mine.

One of the panellists who compiled the Media Guardian list said Mr Davies "can now do anything he wants".

At the top of the poll were BBC director general Mark Thompson and chairman Michael Grade, ahead of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, ITV boss Charles Allen and UK Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell.

Last week, Mr Davies was given an honorary degree for his contribution to television at the Institute of Higher Education in Swansea, where he was a student.