Billie Piper has replaced Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor, with the character regenerating during the finale of science-fiction series Doctor Who, the BBC has revealed.
In a statement released by the BBC, Ncuti Gatwa said: ‘You know when you get cast, at some point you are going to have to hand back that sonic screwdriver and it is all going to come to an end, but nothing quite prepares you for it.
‘This journey has been one that I will never forget, and a role that will be part of me forever. There are no words to describe what it feels like to be cast as the Doctor, nor are there words to explain what it feels like to be accepted into this iconic role that has existed for over 60 years and is truly loved by so many across the globe.
‘The fans are truly the final character and beating heart of this show and I can’t thank the Whoniverse, and the Whovians, enough for welcoming me in, and making this such a touching experience.
‘I’ve loved every minute of it, but now is the time to hand over the keys to that beloved blue box and let someone else take control and enjoy it every bit as much as I have.
‘I’ll truly miss it, and forever be grateful to it, and everyone that has played a part in my journey as the Doctor.’
Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies said: ‘What a Doctor! Thank you, Ncuti! ‘As his final words say, this has been an absolute joy, and the team in Cardiff and everyone who has worked on this show for the past few years, are so lucky to have been part of Ncuti’s great adventure as he shoots off to stratospheric new heights.’
The news comes after it was revealed Gatwa would exit the show after just two series as woke storylines saw ratings for the much-loved show plunge it was revealed last week.
Billie Piper (pictured) has replaced Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor int he long-running BBC sci-fi show
The character regenerated during the finale of series, the BBC confirmed
The BBC programme is also said to have been paused for an extended break amid criticism about recent plots involving non-binary aliens, incels and even a pregnant male extra-terrestrial.
Rumours of Gatwa’s departure came after his sudden withdrawal from presenting the UK’s Eurovision jury scores earlier this month after Israel, represented by a October 7 survivor, made the final. Ncuti has been vocal in his support for Palestine.
A TV insider reportedly said: ‘If the final nail wasn’t already in the coffin, it was well and truly hammered in after that.
‘Bosses were incredibly disappointed. Ncuti, as the Doctor, is one of the corporation’s most high-profile faces’.
Doctor Who was watched by around 2.5milion last Saturday – around 2million fewer people than the numbers watching when Jodie Whittaker, the previous Time Lord, was on the show until 2022.
But this is still a tiny fraction of the sort of interest it used to attract. At its peak it was watched by around 13million on a Saturday night in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
Last year Gatwa told his critics: ‘Don’t watch. Turn off the TV’, adding: ‘I feel like anyone that has a problem with someone who’s not a straight white man playing this character, you’re not really, truly a fan of the show’.
Some fans have lamented some of the programme’s best loved villains being given ‘woke’ facelifts as well as the introduction of a pregnant male alien, for example.
Some fuming ‘Whovians’ were outraged at the introduction of transgender and non-binary characters who would lash out at those ‘assuming their gender’, as well as a deranged villain played by a drag queen.
This is a breaking story, more to follow.
