Actress Rose Ayling-Ellis revealed that she’s undergone a “dramatic” transformation for her mysterious role in Doctor Who. The former soap star, who rose to fame on BBC’s EastEnders, spoke about her guest appearance on the sci-fi series after a teaser image was released last December.

In an appearance on The Scott Mills Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, Ayling-Ellis shared details of her “exciting” experience working on Doctor Who. She said: “Well, they’re keeping it so top secret and it’s episode three, but you’ve seen the picture of me – there’s one photo – and I got painted-on eyebrows, I look like a mess, I’ve got greasy hair. Like I never felt so gross in my whole life, acting for the whole month!”

Scott then mentioned that presenter Rylan Clark will be appearing in the new BBC series and is excited for its release. The host said: “You know Rylan, he is also in an episode and he will not stop talking about it.”

Rose replied: “I don’t blame him.” Scott added: “A bit like you, this is an absolute bucket list for him ’cause he’s a massive, massive fan.”

TV star Rose previously described working on Doctor Who as a “dream come true”. She said: “Working with Russell [T Davies] and filming alongside the talented cast and crew has been an incredible experience. Ncuti [Gatwa] is a wonderful Doctor, and I can’t wait for audiences to see what we have created together.”

Following a few complaints from Doctor Who fans regarding his departure, screenwriter and television producer Russell T Davies returned as showrunner on the series in 2023. In a statement, he said: “She storms in with an astonishing performance of terror, anger and bravery in one of the most frightening episodes we’ve ever made.”

Meanwhile, actor Ncuti Gatwa who is the current Doctor Who and the 15th incarnation of the Time Lord, will return to screens to reprise his role since taking on the position in 2023 from actress Jodie Whittaker.