Latest news with #SophieEllisBextor
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ncuti Gatwa breaks silence after becoming the second shortest ever Doctor Who lasting just two seasons before being replaced following controversial Israel Eurovision storm and falling ratings
Ncuti Gatwa has sensationally left Doctor Who after just two series playing the iconic science fiction character. 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. In a statement released by the BBC Gatwa, 32, said: '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.' 'I'll truly miss it, and forever be grateful to it, and everyone that has played a part in my journey as the Doctor,' he added. The announcement puts an end to speculation that Gatwa would not return as the Doctor. It also comes after Gatwa unexpectedly pulled out of delivering the UK jury votes at Eurovision for the grand final earlier this month, 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 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 the actor 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. It also comes after The Sun claimed on Thursday that Gatwa, who has been described as 'Doctor Who's wokest ever lead star', was 'exterminated' from the series after ratings took a nosedive. 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. The BBC last week had firmly denied that the actor had been 'axed' as Doctor Who, but refused to comment on whether he would be back for a third series. The broadcaster posted a statement following rumours that the renowned actor 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 would not be made until the season two finale aired. Gatwa 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. MailOnline has approached Gatwa's representatives for comment. Meanwhile, Billie Piper has replaced the actor as the Doctor, with the character regenerating during the finale of the show today. Piper, 42, first starred as the companion to the ninth Doctor in 2005, playing Rose Tyler alongside Christopher Eccleston's Time Lord. She will now be the second woman to take on the role as the Time Lord after Jodie Whittaker portrayed the 13th doctor. Gatwa's time on the long-running science fiction programme came to an end as The Reality War episode brought this season to a close. 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. Reacting to the news Billie Piper 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.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Royel Otis Announce 2025 North American ‘Meet Me in the Car' Tour Dates
Australian indie-rock duo Royel Otis have announced another run of U.S. tour dates, with the group detailing their latest round of shows while in the country. Announced on Monday (May 5), news of the group's Meet Me in the Car tour coincides with the first of two sold-out shows at the Troubadour in Los Angeles on Monday and Tuesday. The 12-date run of shows launches in Philadelphia at the Franklin Music Hall on Sept. 12 before wrapping up in New York City at The Rooftop at Pier 17 on Oct. 11. More from Billboard Sabrina Carpenter, Hozier, Doja Cat, Luke Combs and The Strokes Headlining 2025 Austin City Limits Festival Cazzu Makes Billboard Albums Chart Debut with 'Latinaje': 'It Fills Me With Great Satisfaction!' Rosalía Said She's Just Trying 'Not to Forget My Lines' On the Set of 'Euphoria' Following their current Los Angeles shows, the Sydney duo will perform at both New York City's Governors Ball Music Festival and Tennessee's Bonnaroo festival ahead of a run of festival dates throughout Europe, the U.K., and North America before launching their own headline shows in September. Royel Otis first formed in 2019, releasing a series of EPs between 2021 and 2023 before issuing their debut album, Pratts & Pain in 2024. Though their 'Sofa King' track reached No. 12 on the Alternative Airplay chart in 2023, the band found widespread fame last year following their cover of Sophie Ellis-Bextor's 'Murder on the Dancefloor' for Australian radio station triple j's Like a Version series. The cover topped the Alternative Airplay charts and also peaked at No. 41 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. The group's penchant for covers was again felt when their SiriusXM session rendition of The Cranberries' 'Linger' was released, giving them their first appearance on the Hot 100 when it reached No. 94. In late 2024, Royel Otis won four ARIA Awards from eight nominations, including best group and best rock album, while producer Chris Collins won best produced release and best engineered release for Pratts & Pain. Currently, Royal Otis are ostensibly preparing the launch of their latest era, having recently overhauled their socials with a largely minimalist approach. Alongside noting that 'there will be singing. and dancing. and new music' alongside their latest tour announcement, the group have been teasing a song which 'may or may not be called 'Moody'' for a May 9 release. Royal Otis – 2025 Meet Me in the Car Tour Dates Sept. 12 – Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PASept. 14 – The Anthem, Washington, DCSept. 16 – The Ritz, Raleigh, NCSept. 19 – The Bomb Factory, Dallas, TXSept. 20 – Stubb's, Austin, TXSept. 28 – Marquee Theatre, Tempe, AZSept. 30 – Mission Ballroom, Denver, COOct. 2 – Palace Theatre, St. Paul, MNOct. 3 – Grinders KC, Kansas City, MOOct. 4 – The Factory, Chesterfield, MOOct. 10 – MGM Music Hall at Fenway, Boston, MAOct. 11 – The Rooftop at Pier 17, New York, NY Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Telegraph
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
BBC denies Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa has been axed
The BBC has denied reports that Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa has been axed from the show amid mounting uncertainty over whether he will return for a third season. The broadcaster issued a statement on Friday morning following rumours that the Scottish actor, 32, would not be back as the Doctor, labelling the speculation 'pure fiction'. A BBC spokesperson said: 'Whilst we never comment on the future of the Doctor, any suggestion that Ncuti Gatwa has been 'axed' is pure fiction.' A decision on the commissioning of a third season will not be made by the BBC until the show's season two finale, airing next Saturday, is out. They said: '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.' Meanwhile, the broadcaster is declining to comment on speculation around Gatwa's future as the star of the show, saying they 'never comment on the Doctor and future storylines '. It comes after the Sex Education actor unexpectedly pulled out as the UK's Eurovision spokesman for the grand final last week, which would have seen him reveal Britain's awarded points for the BBC. Instead, the Murder on the Dancefloor singer and BBC Radio 2 DJ Sophie Ellis-Bextor took his place. The broadcaster offered no explanation for the last minute change and blamed 'unforeseen circumstances,' which led fans to speculate online that the star may have pulled out after Israel qualified for the final. However, there was no indication that this was the reason behind the 11th-hour change and The Telegraph understands the decision was made before Israel qualified. Gatwa, meanwhile, has stayed quiet on the issue while The Sun reported that a TV insider said the Eurovision debacle was the 'final nail in the coffin' as his withdrawal was 'incredibly embarrassing' for BBC bosses. The newspaper also reported that executives might consider 'resting' the long-running show to examine their casting options. Gatwa's starring role is the first time the Doctor has been played by an openly queer or black actor in the show's 62-year history. He has been in the role since the Doctor Who 2023 Christmas special and since last month, the two lead parts have been portrayed by ethnic minority actors for the first time. Previously, Russell T Davies – the head writer for Doctor Who – has criticised 'toxic' people who claim the show is too woke. The Welsh screenwriter and television producer, 62, said he had no time for complaints about the show's 'diversity and wokeness'. In May last year, Gatwa said he felt 'sad' for critics of the show's diversity. 'For me, personally, I find it fascinating that it matters so much to these people,' he said. The extended final episode of season two, entitled Reality War, will be played in over 450 cinemas throughout the UK and Ireland as well as on the BBC.
The Sun
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Eurovision 2025 LIVE: Austria crowned winner of song contest narrowly beating Israel in final
The Eurovision Final comes to an end for another year! Thank you for following along with this blog! Austria has won with an impressive 436 points! Israel finished in second place with 357 points. The host nation is up next. Israel is in the lead - while Switzerland has received 0 points in the public vote. Sweden receive 195 points in the public vote - but it's not enough to claim the win. They had been hot favourites prior to tonight's show. 0 points for Remember Monday in the public vote! It means the UK finish 19th overall. 297 public votes for Israel! But Graham Norton has suggested it might not be enough to win. Iceland has received 33 votes from the public - and Denmark gets just two. Albania receives 173 points. No one is going home with nil points tonight. How will everyone fare? Who will be crowned the winner? Courtesy of Switzerland and Estonia! Five points courtesy of Iceland! Their jury awards 12 points to Sweden. United Kingdom gets five points from Finland! Austria get the 12 points. Spain gives six points to the UK! Meanwhile, the 12 points go to Switzerland. Sophie Ellis-Bextor is on hand to reveal UK's decision! 12 points go to Latvia. Croatia has given the UK an amazing ten points! Meanwhile, Germany has landed the 12 points. Although no points for the UK, it is Greece who pick up 12 points here. One point for the United Kingdom! The 12 points go to Switzerland, the host country! Westlife's Nicky Byrne is on hand to reveal the votes. Two points to the United Kingdom... but 12 go to Austria. The 12 points go to... Austria! Italy's latest 12 points comes courtesy of Croatia! Four points for the United Kingdom! But the 12 points go to... Latvia! UK receives two points here - but Italy gets the 12!
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BBC 'had Sophie on Eurovision standby as they feared Dr Who star would pull out over Israel'
BBC bosses had Sophie Ellis-Bextor lined up as standby to reveal the UK's Eurovision jury results 'for some time' as they believed Ncuti Gatwa could 'change his mind', it has been claimed. The allegation comes amid growing speculation over the Doctor Who star's abrupt withdrawal from his presenting duties on Thursday – around the same time that Israel 's Yuval Raphael qualified for the final in Switzerland. Sources have told The Mail on Sunday that executives were left 'cross' and 'exasperated' by the actor's last minute decision, and that producers were 'given no reason' for it. There have been suggestions that Gatwa's withdrawal was linked to Ms Raphael – who survived Hamas 's October 7 Nova massacre by hiding under the bodies of other festival goers – reaching the final. A statement issued by the BBC on Thursday night said: 'Due to unforeseen circumstances, unfortunately Ncuti Gatwa is no longer able to participate as spokesperson during the Grand Final.' Gatwa, 32, has been vocal in his support for Palestine, sharing photographs of 'Free Palestine' graffiti on Instagram and links to fundraisers for Palestinian causes. After it was revealed that he would be delivering the UK's scores at the song contest in Basel this year, he was inundated with negative feedback on social media from fans. One told Gatwa to 'read the room', although another said: 'I would usually be excited but I'm boycotting until Israel is given the same treatment as Russia.' Ahead of the final last night, a source admitted that BBC producers had 'suspected he could change his mind about the role', and Ms Ellis-Bextor, 46, had been 'in place for some time' as his stand-in. Executives have attempted to play down any link between Gatwa's decision to quit his role in the coverage of the contest and his pro-Palestinian views. They claimed the announcement of his withdrawal was made on Radio 2 three minutes before Ms Raphael's place in the final was confirmed. This was followed by a social media post five minutes later, which the BBC said was 'coincidentally' just after Israel had qualified. Gatwa is yet to deny that his political views were behind his decision to pull out. Neither his agent or publicist responded to questions over his reasons.
