The BBC’s flagship series Doctor Who has announced a new cast member for an upcoming Eurovision special, sparking mixed reactions from fans.
The BBC’s flagship science fiction series Doctor Who has revealed that Rylan Clark will join the cast in an upcoming special, but the announcement has sparked mixed reactions among the show’s fanbase.
The official Doctor Who Twitter account heralded his arrival with an announcement on X, formerly known as Twitter, sharing: “Who better to host the Interstellar Song Contest? Please welcome @Rylan to the Whoniverse #DoctorWho.” However, the response from fans was less than enthusiastic, with some lamenting the decision to include the Big Brother star.
Comments ranged from criticisms of the show’s credibility to outright disappointment: “It used to be a credible sci-fi show.”
Another simply dubbed the decision “dire”.
“In the future, when asked how it was possible for Doctor Who to be cancelled for a second time in its history, all I will do is show them this post, and the replies to this post,” a fan blasted.
the announcement has sparked mixed reactions among the show’s fanbase (Image: BBC)
A fourth penned: “If they don’t make Rylan a time-travelling presenter and this is the real Rylan, I will be deeply disappointed. Literally anyone would be better.”
Despite the backlash, 36-year-old Rylan, a self-proclaimed Whovian, expressed his elation at being part of the series.
“As a massive Whovian, getting the call to be in ‘Doctor Who’ was a call I’ve always dreamed of getting,” he said. He also shared his enthusiasm for the episode: “This episode is all my favourite things about the show with an added song contest set in space. It really is a dream come true. I can’t wait for everyone to see it. It is going to be out of this world.”
Rylan will appear as himself in a Eurovision-themed episode that coincides with the actual song contest in May.
The episode, penned by sci-fi author Juno Dawson and featuring Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor, promises to be the most expensive and “ridiculous” instalment in the show’s 62-year history.
Rylan will host a Eurovision-style song contest set in space (Image: BBC)
Dawson described her enthusiasm for the script: “It’s the most ridiculous episode they’ve ever done – and the most expensive. I got to write the Doctor. I got to write Belinda. There’s no limit to the imagination on the show. I think it’s the best show ever made. Just you wait. This episode is mahoosive.”
Fellow actor Julie Dray, who also stars in the special, added: “I had such an amazing time working alongside Rylan while wearing some beautiful prosthetics, and can’t wait for audiences to see the spectacular Interstellar Song Contest be brought to life. Voila!”
The upcoming season of Russell T Davies’ Doctor Who reboot is highly anticipated, featuring a number of high-profile guest stars, including TV royalty Rylan Clark. With Ncuti Gatwa returning as the Fifteenth Doctor, and Varada Sethu and Ruby Sunday back as Belinda and Millie Gibson respectively.
