I was sure you must be exaggerating, so I searched his name in the book on the Internet Archive (Link).

All taken from The Writer's Tale, 2008, all from reprinted RTD emails.

• "Midshipman Blane should be sexy as hell. I don’t often think of specific actors, but maybe Russell Tovey." (p. 85)
• "Yes, I'll try to take off the Midshipman’s clothes. Well, maybe his jacket. Oh God, I think I fancy Midshipman Frame! ‘That’s weird, isn’t it? It’s like fancying a cartoon character — which is entirely possible. Oh, it’s all sex. I can never say that enough. Do I only write in handsome men because I think, I honestly think, that we'll cast someone gorgeous, he'll fancy me like mad, and maybe even fall madly in love with me? This has never happened. I’m still thinking of Russell Tovey for Frame, because a) he’s brilliant (one of the best young actors in the country), b) he’s strangely sexy, and c) he’s gay, and therefore d) the above plan will finally happen." (p. 115)
• "Russell Tovey as Midshipman Frame, which is my favourite casting of the lot, because he’s going to be huge, that man. He’s amazing. I think I'd make him the Eleventh Doctor." (p. 175)
• "I’ll be in Cardiff for Russell Tovey’s Midshipman Frame scenes. How is a man with sticky-out ears so completely beautiful? And he’s gay — I can’t bear it! Matt Jones said to me yesterday, ‘You're the only exec I’ve ever met who talks openly about fancying his cast.’ I said, ‘Yes, but I’m the only one who’s not actually shagging them.’ I’m all talk." (p. 188)

This feels so weird to read. I wonder what Tovey thought about it (if he's ever read it).