BBC breaks silence on claims Ncuti Gatwa has been 'axed' as Doctor Who with latest statement as broadcaster refuses to confirm he will be back in the Tardis for a third series
The BBC firmly denied that Ncuti Gatwa has been 'axed' as Doctor Who - but are still refusing to comment on whether he will be back for a third series.
The broadcaster posted a statement on Friday following rumours that the renowned Scottish actor, 32, would not return as the Doctor, branding the speculation 'pure fiction'.
'Whilst we never comment on the future of the Doctor, any suggestion that Ncuti Gatwa has been "axed" is pure fiction,' a spokesperson for the BBC said.
Furthermore, they confirmed that a decision regarding Gatwa's third series with the beloved science fiction show will not be made until the season two finale has aired next Saturday.
'The decision on season 3 will be made after season 2 airs and any other claims are just pure speculation,' the spokesperson added.
'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.'
The Sun claimed on Thursday that Gatwa, described as 'Doctor Who's wokest ever lead star', was 'exterminated' from the series after ratings took a nosedive.
Indeed, 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.
The BBC have denied claims that Ncuti Gatwa (pictured), 32, has been 'axed' from Doctor Who
A spokesperson for the BBC said: 'Whilst we never comment on the future of the Doctor, any suggestion that Ncuti Gatwa has been "axed" is pure fiction'
Gatwa (right) plays the Doctor alongside his co-star Varada Sethu (left) as companion Belinda Chandra
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.
Insiders believe Disney+ will not renew its deal, according to the publication.
It comes after Gatwa unexpectedly pulled out of delivering the UK jury votes at Eurovision for the grand final last week, leaving Murder on the Dancefloor singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor to take his place.
The BBC offered no explanation for this last minute change and merely blamed 'unforeseen circumstances'.
A statement issued by the BBC last Thursday said: 'Due to unforeseen circumstances, unfortunately Ncuti Gatwa is no longer able to participate as spokesperson during the Grand Final this weekend.'
But speculation online suggested that Sex Education may have pulled out as the UK's Eurovision spokesperson in protest of Israel, represented by October 7 survivor Yuval Raphael, qualifying for the final.
Gatwa has previously been vocal in his support for Palestine, sharing photographs of Free Palestine graffiti in Italy on his Instagram and posting links to fundraisers for Palestinian causes.
Sources told the Mail on Sunday that executives were left 'cross' and 'exasperated' by the 32-year-old actor's last minute decision.
It comes after Gatwa (pictured in 2023) unexpectedly pulled out of delivering the UK jury votes at Eurovision for the grand final
Sophie Ellis-Bextor, singer of Murder on the Dancefloor, served as the UK's spokesperson instead
Israel's Yuval Raphael - a survivor of the October 7 attacks - qualified with her song New Day Will Rise
Ahead of the final, a source admitted that BBC producers had 'suspected that he would change his mind about the role' and that his stand-in, Sophie Ellis-Bextor had been 'in place for some time'.
At the time, a TV insider reportedly told The Sun: '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.'
Despite their anger, however, executives have attempted to play down the link between his decision to stand down and his pro-Palestinian views.
They claimed an announcement about his withdrawal was actually made on Radio 2 three minutes before Raphael's place in the final with her song New Day Will Rise was confirmed, closely followed by a social media post five minutes later.
The BBC source said: 'The announcement was first made on BBC Radio 2 by Richie Anderson and Sara Cox three minutes before Israel qualified for the final.
'The statement was then issued on social media five minutes later, which was coincidentally two minutes after Israel qualified.'
Gatwa joined the cast of Doctor Who in 2023 for the 14th season after Jodie Whittaker - the first female Doctor - bowed out.
![The long-running sci-fi show has suffered a huge drop in ratings of late, with fans said to be fed up of the injection of woke storylines [Gatwa pictured with co-star Millie Gibson]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/05/24/10/92027509-14745451-The_long_running_sci_fi_show_has_suffered_a_huge_drop_in_ratings-a-29_1748078184394.jpg)
The long-running sci-fi show has suffered a huge drop in ratings of late, with fans said to be fed up of the injection of woke storylines [Gatwa pictured with co-star Millie Gibson]
Since last month, the two lead parts have been portrayed by ethnic minority actors Sethu (left) and Gatwa (right) for the first time
He is the first openly queer or black actor to play the role of the Doctor in the show's 62-year history and since last month, the two lead parts have been portrayed by ethnic minority actors for the first time.
To honour his groundbreaking role, Mattel released a new Doctor Who doll on Friday.
Gatwa said he was 'emotional' seeing the Mattel creation, adding: 'Barbie is iconic, so to see a Barbie iteration of the Doctor was emotional, surreal, incredible, and I can’t wipe the smile off my face.
'I hope kids out there are able to enjoy the doll and see themselves in it and think "I can do anything".'
The Fifteenth Doctor Barbie Doll features a face sculpted in the likeness of Gatwa and is dressed in a striped shirt, sleek trousers, a long brown jacket and white trainers.
Mattel has also created a model of Doctor Who’s companion Ruby Sunday, who is played by Millie Gibson in the current series.
But some fuming 'Whovians' have been left disappointed by the series which includes recent plots involving non-binary aliens, incels and even a pregnant male extra-terrestrial.
Campaigners have accused bosses behind the BBC series of 'promoting the cult of gender ideology' in the latest episodes of the time-hopping romp, which is streamed globally thanks to a lucrative deal with Disney thought to be worth £100million.
Mattel released a new Doctor Who doll on Friday with Gatwa saying he was 'emotional' seeing the toy
Some fuming 'Whovians' have been left disappointed by the series which includes recent plots involving non-binary aliens, incels and even a pregnant male extra-terrestrial
Russell T Davies, the head writer for Doctor Who, criticised 'toxic' people for branding the show as woke.
The Welsh screenwriter and television producer, 62, said he had no time for complaints about the show's 'diversity'.
Adding his own two-cents, Gatwa told critics last year: 'Don't watch. Turn off the TV.
'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.'
Gatwa is also said to have grown increasingly frustrated by how the show is run - and is keen to move to Hollywood to pursue other opportunities.
The current Doctor Who star is yet to comment on claims he may be leaving Doctor Who.
Representatives for Ncuti, the BBC and Disney+ were contacted by MailOnline for comment.
