Doctor Who actors on if Billie Piper returns as BBC cancels show

It was confirmed earlier today (Wednesday, June 10) that the festive special, previously announced last year, had been cancelled.

This comes amid speculation about the future of the series after Ncuti Gatwa ended his run as the 15th incarnation of the time-travelling Doctor.

The BBC has also said that the long-running sci-fi series, which launched in 1963, will be put out to “competitive tender” this year as part of its Royal Charter agreement.

READ MORE: Christopher Eccleston gives verdict on Billie Piper as Doctor Who

Billie Piper’s return in Doctor Who. (Image: BBC)

In a statement issued by the broadcaster, it said: “After careful consideration, the BBC, Russell T Davies and Bad Wolf have collectively decided not to go ahead with the previously announced Doctor Who Christmas episode.

“This decision was not taken lightly, and we know it will be disappointing for fans, but in order to set the show up for future series.

“It was decided that rather than bridge the gap with a one-off special, we are choosing to push forward to invest in the long-term future of the show, which ensures that when the Tardis lands once more, it does so in all its glory.”

When Mr Gatwa departed the titular role, he was replaced by Billie Piper onscreen, which surprised viewers.

The Swindon actress had previously played fan favourite companion Rose Tyler alongside Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant.

READ MORE: Colin Baker claims Billie Piper ‘can’t be the next Doctor Who’

In exclusive interviews with the Oxford Mail over the past year, two different previous Doctors have had their say on Ms Piper being the Time Lord.

Colin Baker portrayed the Sixth Doctor, preceded by Peter Davidson and succeeded by Sylvester McCoy, staying in the role from 1984 until 1986.

Speaking to the Oxford Mail, the 83-year-old said: “I don’t have a clue, but I suspect it’s a load of old malarky.

“I think they didn’t know what to say, so they did that. I think there will be something involving Billie Piper, but she’s not the Doctor, who can she be?

“She’s someone else! It’s like me being the Master, well, I could be, I suppose.

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“I suppose she could be a lookalike, but they could come up with anything, and that is the joy of the series.

“You can do anything with it, so if they choose to do it, they could.”

Then, more recently, this newspaper spoke to Christopher Eccleston, who helped bring back Doctor Who in 2005 alongside Ms Piper.

Speaking on the possibility of his former co-star being the Doctor full-time, the 62-year-old said: “Give it to Billie! Yeah, why not? Why not.”

Previously, while appearing at the Fan Expo convention in 2022, Mr Eccleston had said: “I was saying to somebody today in the green room that Russell T Davies is coming back, right, and who’s going to be his Doctor?

“I think it should be Billie Piper, actually. Catherine Tate’s great, but I think there’s your Doctor.

“And I’d like to see you all struggle with it. ‘How can she be the Doctor when she was an assistant?!’

“I like the idea of it blowing fuses in the canon, or whatever it’s called.”