“Doctor Who Exterminated” – Eurovision Row Blamed for Gatwa Exit

Last week, The Mirror reported that Doctor Who was heading into a planned hiatus, with scripts for future series said to be in development and a return expected in 2027. Now, just six days later, The Sun offers a far more dramatic account: Ncuti Gatwa has been “axed”, no new Doctor is lined up, and the long-running show could be shelved indefinitely.

According to the report, the decision followed Gatwa’s withdrawal from presenting the UK’s Eurovision jury scores, which reportedly disappointed BBC bosses. One insider is quoted as saying:

“If the final nail wasn’t already in the coffin, it was well and truly hammered in after that.”

Another source adds:

“Bosses were incredibly disappointed. Ncuti, as the Doctor, is one of the corporation’s most high-profile faces. His withdrawal was incredibly embarrassing. It caps what has been a largely depressing tenure in the TARDIS for Ncuti.”

The report also claims there may be no full regeneration scene, suggesting the BBC wants to keep casting options open during a potential long hiatus:

“It’s unlikely we will see who Ncuti regenerates into, as the Beeb will keep options open. And if they do rest the show for years, it makes it virtually impossible to cast someone now.”

The Sun once again attributes the show’s struggles in the ratings due to “woke storylines”.

Curiously, The Mirror backed the story initially. A headline that appeared on their site read: “Ncuti Gatwa ‘axed’ from Doctor Who after pulling out of Eurovision presenting job”. That article has since disappeared from their website without explanation.

As for the BBC, its statement remains unchanged:

“As we have previously stated, the decision on [Series 16] will be made after [Series 15] airs and any other claims are just pure speculation.”

And that, for now, is the only firm ground. Everything else, including the futures of both the show and its current lead, is rumour, or hearsay.

What is certain is that we’re just over a week away from the end of Series 15. If Gatwa is indeed regenerating, that moment will arrive on screen soon enough. And if a regeneration scene has already been filmed, as some sources suggest, it would cast serious doubt on the idea that a Eurovision row was the final straw. Simply put, the timelines don’t add up.

Until we see what actually plays out on screen, the only real certainty is uncertainty.