The BBC has shared a statement with The Mirror in response to recent rumours that Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa had been ‘axed’ from the long-running hit sci-fi series

Ncuti Gatwa was rumoured to have left Doctor Who – but the BBC has denied these reports (
Image: BBC Studios/Lara Cornell)

The BBC has addressed rumours that Ncuti Gatwa has been ‘axed’ from Doctor Who, with the broadcaster sharing a statement regarding the star’s future on the show. It comes after recent reports that Ncuti Gatwa would be leaving the show after two series after the star pulled out of announcing the UK’s jury scores at last weekend’s Eurovision Song Contest.

A BBC spokesperson told The Mirror that Ncuti had not been ‘axed’ from the show. They said: “Whilst we never comment on the future of the Doctor, any suggestion that Ncuti Gatwa has been ‘axed’ is pure fiction.” As for whether the series will continue, the BBC explained: “As we have previously stated, the decision on season 3 will be made after season 2 airs and any other claims are just pure speculation. The deal with Disney+ was for 26 episodes – and we still have an entire spin off, The War Between the Land and the Sea, to air. And as for the rest, we never comment on the Doctor and future storylines.”

Ncuti is into his second series as The Doctor on the hit BBC show ( 
Image:
CREDIT LINE:BBC Studios/Bad Wolf/Dan Fearon)

Earlier this week, a TV insider told The Sun that Doctor Who bosses were “incredibly disappointed” after Ncuti backed out of his Eurovision role. “His withdrawal was incredibly embarrassing. It caps what has been a largely depressing tenure in the Tardis for Ncuti,” they said.

Last weekend, the BBC announced that Ncuti Gatwa would be stepping down from his role as the UK’s Eurovision 2025 spokesperson due to “unforeseen circumstances”. Instead, pop star and BBC presenter Sophie Ellis-Bextor was brought in to take his place for the Grand Final on Saturday.

She gushed: “I love Eurovision and it’s a privilege to be part of 2025’s Grand Final. What an honour it is to announce the UK’s jury score on such a special show which always puts music front and centre. I am very much looking forward to delivering the iconic douze points from the United Kingdom!”

Fans quickly took to social media to speculate over why Ncuti stepped down from the gig, with some suggesting that it could be over Israel’s participation in the final. The Doctor Who star has been vocal in his support for Palestine on Instagram.

One person wrote on social media: “THAT’s backing up your morals. #FreePalestine.” While a pro-Palestine account said: “Israel qualified to the Eurovision final at 22:16 last night. Then at 22:18, just two minutes later, the BBC announced Ncuti Gatwa cancelling his appearance on Eurovision for ‘unforseen circumstances’. We see you Ncuti; we see you and we like you a lot.”