BBC Addresses Latest Ncuti Gatwa Doctor Who 'Axe' Reports

The BBC is hitting back at new claims around Ncuti Gatwa’s future with Doctor Who.

Earlier this year, it was alleged in the tabloid press that the former Sex Education star would be stepping down at the helm of the Tardis after two seasons as The Doctor, alongside claims that he was “facing the axe” and that a decision about whether it would be recommissioned was yet to be decided.

On Thursday night, The Sun published an additional piece, claiming that Ncuti had been “axed” from the show.

In a statement issued to HuffPost UK on Friday morning, the BBC insisted that “any suggestion that Ncuti Gatwa has been ‘axed’ is pure fiction”.

Responding to additional claims in the outlet’s recent piece, which suggested the future of Doctor Who is still up in the air, the broadcaster’s spokesperson added: “As we have previously stated, the decision on season three will be made after season two airs and any other claims are just pure speculation.”

Pointing out that a co-production deal with Disney+ was always due to come to an end after 26 episodes – and that there’s still “an entire spin off, The War Between The Land And The Sea” to air later this year – “As for the rest, we never comment on The Doctor and future storylines.”

HuffPost UK has also contacted Ncuti Gatwa’s team for comment.

The final two instalments in the current season of Doctor Who are due to air on BBC One on Saturday 24 and 31 May.

Alongside Ncuti as the iconic Time Lord, this season introduced viewers to Belinda Chandra, The Doctor’s new time-travelling companion, played by Varada Sethu.

Anita Dobson also returned to the series as the mysterious Mrs Flood, with Alan Cumming, Rose Ayling-Ellis, Jonah Hauer-King and Bonnie Langford among its guest stars.