Doctor Who star, 32, left because ‘I'm getting old'
The Rwandan-Scottish actor, 32, whose breakout role was Eric Effiong in Netflix hit Sex Education, played the Time Lord for two series.
He first appeared in a 60th anniversary special with David Tennant, the 10th and 14th incarnations of the Doctor.
In May, during his final episode as the 15th Doctor, Gatwa appeared to be replaced by Billie Piper, the former Doctor Who companion, when his character regenerated.
Gatwa, who appeared on BBC One's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme with A Discovery of Witches actor Edward Bluemel, said: 'I'm getting old, and my body was tired... and I've now just started doing some ballet, so I'm making really great decisions.'
Despite being 'the most amazing job in the world' and 'a job that any actor would dream of', it was 'strenuous', he said.
'It takes a lot out of you, physically, emotionally, mentally, and so it was time.'
Asked if he would ever come back to the show, he said: 'Never say never.'
Gatwa, who also featured in blockbuster film Barbie, has played the Doctor since Tennant's Time Lord 'bi-generated' in 2023.
A BBC spokesman said at the time: 'While we never comment on the future of the Doctor, any suggestion that Ncuti Gatwa has been 'axed' is pure fiction.'
Gatwa was also expected to be the UK's spokesman at the Eurovision Song Contest in May but pulled out, with speculation the decision was connected to controversy surrounding Israel's participation.
The broadcaster offered no explanation for the change, blaming 'unforeseen circumstances'. Gatwa stayed silent at the time.
But now he revealed that 'it all panned out very interestingly. I pulled out of it a long time before it was announced. And it was announced when it was announced, I don't know why, but I was just very busy. I just had a lot of work schedules, a lot of press around The Roses, around the Doctor (Who)'.
Asked about the speculation surrounding his withdrawal, Gatwa said he did not watch this year's competition and that he 'was just very busy'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
34 minutes ago
- The Sun
Axed TV host Jay Blades was weeks away from starring on new reality series before domestic violence arrest
TV HOST Jay Blades was weeks from starring on a daring new reality TV series when blindsided bosses axed him over his domestic violence arrest. The Repair Shop presenter, 55, was preparing to star in ITV's Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters, which starts tonight. 1 But the show was thrown into chaos after allegations of controlling and coercive behaviour against his wife Lisa Zbozen, which he denies. A TV insider told The Sun: 'Attracting a popular BBC star to be in the new ITV series was a big win for bosses. 'But as soon as Jay Blades was arrested in March 2024, they knew they had to make a quick decision about the future of the show. 'He was given the boot. 'Producers got lucky as they hadn't started filming or doing any promotion yet so were able to replace him with someone else. 'There were travel plans in place for the cast taking part in the show so it caused a lot of upset and disruption behind the scenes.' Blades is accused of causing Lisa, 43, to fear violence would be used against her on at least two occasions. The trial begins on August 26.
Daily Mail
42 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Love Island's Toni leaves Lauren in tears as she sneaks off to the terrace with Harrison (and recreates Ekin-Su's iconic crawl) before demanding 'get rid of her' in drama-packed episode
Toni Laites and Harrison Solomon left Lauren Wood in tears during Sunday night's show as they sneaked off to the terrace for a secret rendezvous. In true Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu style, Toni and Harrison recreated the Love Island alum's iconic terrace crawl to remain out of sight from the rest of the villa. Harrison and Toni look set to rekindle their connection despite him returning from Casa Amor coupled up with Lauren. During their chat on the terrace, Toni demanded 'get rid of her' after Harrison confessed he wanted to kiss her behind Lauren's back. It was all while Lauren remained unaware of their unfinished business as she sat metres away crying while confiding in her fellow islanders. While on the villa stairs after getting ready for the night, Harrison whispered to Toni: 'After you get a drink, do you want to meet me? Terrace?' In true Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu style, Toni and Harrison recreated the Love Island alum's iconic terrace crawl to remain out of sight from the rest of the villa Crouching down to avoid being seen, Harrison said: 'We have to sit on the floor. Otherwise they're going to see… I don't want them to see.' The conversation continued to get spicier as the two flirtatiously locked eyes, as Harrison said: 'Would it be bad if I kissed you right now?' Harrison and Toni's behaviour has sparked somewhat fury among fans. Fans took to X and wrote: 'Nah Toni needs to get voted off for that. Lost all the ratings I had for her', 'Oh god this girls has disappointed me', 'Damn Toni moving like a snake', 'Nooo wayyy', 'Toni joining Love Island legends Mimii & Ekin-Su as a terrace crawler wasn't on my bingo card'. In 2022, Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu took drastic measures to bond investment analyst, Jay Younger as she crawled on to the terrace twice in a bid to have a private chat with him. In the raunchy scenes, Ekin-su asked Jay to sneak off for a 'secret' chat, which saw them talking in whispers away from the other Islanders. It was all while Lauren remained unaware of their unfinished business as she sat metres away crying while confiding in her fellow islanders Harrison and Toni's behaviour has sparked somewhat fury among fans as he continues to go back and fourth between bombshells Ekin-Su performed the cheeky feat twice during the 2022 series Ekin-Su asked to 'borrow' Jay while he was chatting outside with Ikenna Ekwonna and asked him to meet her on the terrace in 'three or four minutes' so they could talk on a 'more secret level'. After Jay agreed to the sneaky rendezvous, Ekin-Su was seen crouching on the floor as she opened the door to the terrace from the girls' dressing room. She then began crawling across the floor in a bid to stay hidden from the other Islanders, who were chatting in the garden below. As she sat concealed by the wall, she said: 'I can't believe I'm here.' Jay then excused himself from a chat with the other boys to 'go to the bathroom' before heading up to the terrace to meet her. As he walked up the stairs, Ekin-Su's current partner Davide asked where she was, before adding: 'I think he will try to kiss her.' But Paige Thorne disagreed and insisted that she thought there was 'no way' that Jay would make a move on Ekin-Su. When Jay opened the door to the terrace, Ekin-Su told him to 'whisper' and 'kneel down', adding: 'Don't let them see you!' To which Jay jokingly replied: 'What it is, Mission Impossible?' This was later exposed in the season which ignited a huge argument between the two. NAME: Dejon Noel Williams AGE: 26 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Semi-pro footballer and personal trainer WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is beautiful on the inside and out, looks after themselves and is healthy CLAIM TO FAME? My dad being an ex-professional footballer. I've met all kinds of famous people through him. When I was younger it was weird because he was just my dad, but we'd go to a game and fans were asking for photos. I've met David Beckham, he was really nice. Megan Moore NAME: Megan Moore AGE: 25 FROM: Southampton OCCUPATION: Payroll specialist WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'd like to meet someone who is tall, with a nice tan, nice eyes and a nice smile. He needs to have a good fashion sense and a really good, funny personality that I can get on with HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt, right now. But we're going to make sales and get on that corporate ladder and be booming. Profits, profits, profits! Tommy Bradley NAME: Tommy Bradley AGE: 22 FROM: Hertfordshire OCCUPATION: Landscape Gardener WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A girl who is very ambitious, with a big personality, caring, but also someone that doesn't take themselves too seriously. I don't know if that's asking for too much, but I want a bit of everything. I haven't got a specific type in terms of looks, though. WHAT WOULD YOU BE CEO OF? Taking hours to do my hair Ben Holbrough NAME: Ben Holbrough AGE: 23 FROM: Gloucester OCCUPATION: Private Hire Taxi driver WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone sexy, good looking, good chat, good vibes, nice teeth and good eye contact - they're all the traits I look for. Oh, and also a cute smile, I just look at you and know I can be around you all day, every day. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt. I'd have been out of business a long time ago. That's exactly why I'm here. NAME: Helena Ford AGE: 29 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Cabin Crew WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Somebody funny or Northern. I feel like Northern people have much more banter than Southerners. If you look through my previous dating history, you'll see I clearly go for personality. You can pretty much laugh me into bed. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I would say hire but then quickly fire soon after. It would only be a temporary contract. NAME: Shakira Khan AGE: 26 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Construction Project Manager WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is tall, charming, witty, with big arms, a good smile and just really funny. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Booming, but they're all frogs. It's a busy love life but I've not found 'the husband', I'm looking for 'the one'. I'm looking for the ring. NAME: Harry Cooksley AGE: 30 FROM: Guildford OCCUPATION: Gold trader, semi-professional footballer and model WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? The girl next door that makes me laugh and can hold eye contact with me. I don't think I'd go for the most obvious girl, I like a real sweet girl. CLAIM TO FAME? I'm the body double for Declan Rice. So when he does a shoot, any body close ups will actually be me. You'll never see my face, but you'll see my shoulder or chest, that kind of thing. NAME: Conor Phillips AGE: 23 FROM: Limerick OCCUPATION: Professional rugby player WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?Someone who is really sure of themselves, ambitious, a bit of a go-getter and good craic. I like dark eyes and I don't mind a dominant woman. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? Definitely hire. I ask girls if they want to go halves on a baby. It doesn't work, but it gets them laughing. It's an ice-breaker, not a serious question of course! NAME: Toni Laites AGE: 24 FROM: Connecticut OCCUPATION: Las Vegas Pool Cabana Server WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'm looking for darker hair, definitely muscular but not too muscular. Super fit. Clean hair cut. Someone that can make me laugh - I'm super outgoing. And someone that's quite active. Maybe one day we could start our own family together. I WANT TO DATE A BRITISH GUY BECAUSE... I've lived in three different states and I'm still single. It's time to try something new! I have some British friends and they're pretty charming. I think all Americans love a good accent. British men are just more polite, with better manners. NAME: Yasmin Pettet AGE: 24 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Commercial Banking Executive WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'm looking for a guy who is fit, has a nice body and who is funny with a bit of banter. WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST ICK? A guy that's stingy. NAME: Harrison AGE: 22 OCCUPATION: US college soccer player and student WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Personality is a big thing, so it depends who I vibe with in there. WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST ICK? I don't like it when girls have celebrity crushes. If I'm with a girl I want them to have eyes for me, not talking about another guy when we're watching a film, ha! Billykiss NAME: Bilikis Azeez aka Billykiss AGE: 28 OCCUPATION: Content Creator WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone tall who's good looking, but not too good looking, and that's confident, assertive, knows what they want and is serious about me WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST ICK? Someone who's childish Jamie NAME: Jamie Rhodes AGE: 26 OCCUPATION: Electric Engineer WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Bubbly, cheeky, outgoing, good face card and a nice bum. WHAT KIND OF ISLANDER DO YOU THINK YOU'LL BE? I'll be in amongst the drama! It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, I'm gonna take it by the horns and go for it. NAME: Ty Isherwood AGE: 23 OCCUPATION: Site Engineer WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I go off energy, if we vibe. I've typically dated brunettes, tanned, nice teeth with a nice smile. WHAT KIND OF ISLANDER DO YOU THINK YOU'LL BE? A head turner! I get along with lads easily and like to make people laugh. NAME: Cacherel 'Cach' Mercer AGE: 24 OCCUPATION: Professional Dancer WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who's emotionally intelligent, beautiful, charismatic, caring, affectionate, and I'd say an intro extrovert. WHAT KIND OF ISLANDER DO YOU THINK YOU'LL BE? I think I'm gonna get into trouble, I feel like I'll be the joker of the group! I'll also be the person people come to for advice… and a bit of eye candy at the same time. NAME: Lucy Quinn AGE: 21 OCCUPATION: Makeup Artist WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I love a pretty boy. Someone who looks after themselves more than me; with a sharp hairline, and Turkey teeth. I like someone who is tall, tanned, and has dark hair….. not too much to ask! Also if I had to be picky, I like light eyes. WHAT KIND OF ISLANDER DO YOU THINK YOU'LL BE? Loud! I just love to chat. NAME: Lauren Wood AGE: 26 OCCUPATION: Dog Walker WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? It's cliche but tall, dark and handsome. I know every girl says that but I like dark features; brown hair, brown eyes, nice and bronzed. WHAT KIND OF ISLANDER DO YOU THINK YOU'LL BE? I will bring a lot of energy to Casa Amor. I'm just a bubbly person. I'm fun to be around and don't take myself too seriously. Every boy I've ever met has said 'you're not what I thought' in a good way. I've been told I've got good energy. NAME: Emma Munro AGE: 30 OCCUPATION: Hydrogeologist WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I don't actually have a type. I would say athletic always, I like a man who's in shape, big muscles, six pack, I'm not fussy. WHAT KIND OF ISLANDER DO YOU THINK YOU'LL BE? Honest, straight talking, and direct. NAME: Boris Vidović AGE: 28 OCCUPATION: Model WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I don't have an exact type, if her energy matches my energy, that's what I like. Besides that; a beautiful smile, a nice figure, and a great personality. I want someone around me that I can laugh with 24/7. If she can roast me, I love her already! WHAT KIND OF ISLANDER DO YOU THINK YOU'LL BE? I'm going to be the chilled guy, who likes to have a laugh, I'm a joker. I'm originally from Ljubljana and have lived in Dubai for a while, so I'll bring the international flavour. I give good positive vibes and good energy. NAME: Andrada Pop AGE: 27 OCCUPATION: Personal Trainer WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I like someone who is tall with a nice build and I do like light eyes at the moment. Someone who has a masculine aura and someone that walks in the room and you're drawn to their energy. WHAT KIND OF ISLANDER DO YOU THINK YOU'LL BE? If you cross me, I can't shut my mouth, I will literally tell you how it is. However, I'm a giver; I'm very honest, understanding, and soft. I'm just overall happy. There's never a dull moment around me. If I hear something I don't like, I will be the first to go across the Villa and say something. You will hear my voice.
The Independent
42 minutes ago
- The Independent
Prince George beats the heat in Royal Box at Wimbledon final
Prince George was spotted using a folding hand fan to keep cool as temperatures soared during the men's singles final at Wimbledon. The young royal sat in the Royal Box on Centre Court alongside his father, the Prince of Wales, who wore a sharp double-breasted navy suit and polka-dot tie. George looked smart in a dark jacket, pale blue shirt and striped tie as he watched defending champion Carlos Alcaraz take on Jannik Sinner. With temperatures reaching 27C in south-west London, George was seen opening and fanning himself with a dark wood-slatted hand fan and sipping bottled water with his father during a break in play. His sister, Princess Charlotte, also used one of the fans to cool herself in the afternoon sun. The fans, which featured a traditional folding design with brown wooden ribs and paper leaves, were widely used by Royal Box guests as they tried to stay comfortable in the heat. The Wales family arrived ahead of the final and paused to greet 11-year-old Ambrose Caldecott – the young cancer patient chosen to perform the ceremonial coin toss. Kate was heard telling him: 'Good luck today, we'll be cheering you on.' The Princess of Wales wore a royal blue dress, while Charlotte opted for a beige summer dress. They were joined in the box by a host of celebrities including Keira Knightley, Andrew Scott, Paul Mescal, Nicole Kidman and Dame Anna Wintour. Many guests chose lightweight tailoring, sunglasses and handheld fans to deal with the hot weather. The appearance marked another high-profile Wimbledon outing for Prince George, who also attended the men's final in 2022 and 2023. The family looked relaxed as they took in the final match of the fortnight under clear skies.
