Doctor Who fans go into MELTDOWN as Billie Piper makes a shock return to the BBC show to replace Ncuti Gatwa as the Time Lord amid crashing ratings
Doctor Who fans went into meltdown as Billie Piper made a sensational return to the BBC show to replace departing Ncuti Gatwa as the Time Lord in Saturday's series final.
Billie, 42, first starred as the companion to the ninth Doctor in 2005, playing Rose Tyler alongside Christopher Eccleston's Time Lord. She went onto star alongside David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor in the second series.
However, devout Whovians were not expecting the huge twist at the end of series 15 as Ncuti's character regenerated into Rose amid his departure after just two series as woke storylines saw ratings for the much-loved show plunge.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, fans were quick to share their reaction to Billie's shock comeback, with one even asking: ''Did my eyes actually deceive me?!'
They penned: 'THE WAY I SCREEEEEEEEEAMED', 'Did not see that coming. Wow!'
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'ACTUALLY IN SHOCK. I NEVER THOUGHT THE WORDS BILLIE PIPER IS THE 16TH DOCTOR WOULD EVER COME OUT OF MY MOUTH.'
'#DoctorWho just... Wow! I'm speechless! So glad I went to the cinema to see it. The crowd was ecstatic! Full of cheers and applause and gasps! Fantastic!'
'Hang on, hang on, hang on, is billie piper the new doctor, did my eyes actually deceive me, have I gone back in time, what is going on, do we have to wait until Christmas now to find out what's next, omgggg.'
'BILLIE PIPER IS THE 16TH DOCTOR AND I AM SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP'.
Meanwhile, while initial reactions to the news on X were positive, other die hard fans tuning in had mixed reactions to Saturday's episode.
Retired teacher Steve Hatcher, 66, of Ashbourne in Derbyshire, who runs Whoovers - a Doctor Who fan club, told the PA news agency: 'The question in the mind was, is it going to be a regeneration to a new Doctor, which it was, or is it just going to be a regeneration to black and an uncertain future?
'So I'm very relieved that they've found a new Doctor and she's a brilliant actor and I'm sure that'll be terrific, so Doctor Who continues, I would say, on the basis of that, it was a terrific episode.'
James Ashway, 27, from Bristol, who helps run the Doctor Who Appreciation Society's magazine, said: 'It was an episode which threw the kitchen sink in terms of returning characters, Jodie Whittaker and obviously now Billie Piper as well as the new Doctor.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter , fans were quick to share their reaction to Billie's shock comeback, with one even asking: ''Did my eyes actually deceive me?!'
'I'm a bit speechless to be honest, there's quite a lot of stuff to take in, but I think it was an interesting episode which pivoted in the middle to tell two different stories, one wrapping up the end of that season and obviously telling Ncuti Gatwa's regeneration as well, so very enjoyable.'
However, Brendan Noble, 57, of Middlesbrough, a former English teacher who runs the Sense Sphere YouTube channel said: 'I think we've just had what I would have called EastEnders in space. I am absolutely shocked, irritated, frustrated, people are contacting me now in absolute shock and horror at what's just happened.
'It's lazy writing, hodgepodge of exposition, escapism, nonsense, (Russell T Davies) was throwing every toy from the Doctor Who box at the telly, hoping that some of it would make sense in the way of entertaining you.'
Billie will now be the second woman to take on the role as the Time Lord after Jodie Whittaker portrayed the 13th doctor.
She replaces Ncuti, who leaves Doctor Who after two seasons in the science-fiction series.
The actor's time on the long-running science fiction programme came to an end as The Reality War episode brought this season to a close on Saturday.
The two-part season finale saw the Doctor face the Rani in a battle to save the world after making the decision to safe the life of one little girl.
As he bid farewell to companion Belinda Chandra, played by Varada Sethu, he said: 'I hope you'll see me again, but not like this.'
The finale also saw Whittaker, the 13th doctor, make a guest appearance as Gatwa's Doctor appeared to be travelling through alternate universes.
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.'
Reacting to the news Billie said: 'It's no secret how much I love this show, and I have always said I would love to return to the Whoniverse as I have some of my best memories there, so to be given the opportunity to step back on that Tardis one more time was just something I couldn't refuse.'
After Doctor Who was broadcast, Billie Piper posted on Instagram 'A rose is a rose is a rose !!!' with images from her previous time on the show playing the Doctor's companion Rose Tyler.
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 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.
A small number of social media critics have pointed to the diversity of the cast, a drag queen villain, and introduction of transgender and non-binary characters.
However, both Davies and Gatwa have strongly dismissed this criticism as from a minority, with Davies telling BBC Radio 2's 20 Secrets From 20 Years: 'Someone always brings up matters of diversity.
'And there are online warriors accusing us of diversity and wokeness and involving messages and issues.
'And I have no time for this. I don't have a second to bear (it). Because what you might call diversity, I just call an open door.'
Gatwa told Attitude magazine in 2024 that the hateful comments the sci-fi show has received after casting a black man is 'fascinating, because there's so much energy they're putting into it ... I think they need to go find a hobby is one thing'.
During his time, he has had companions in the form of Andor actress Varada Sethu, and former Coronation Street actress Millie Gibson, who played Gatwa's companion Ruby Sunday since the 2023 Christmas episode The Church On Ruby Road.
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