Ncuti Gatwa made a surprise appearance at Glastonbury’s Woodsies stage at the weekend to introduce pop star Jade Thirlwall — just weeks after announcing his exit from Doctor Who.
The actor, 32, opened with an unapologetically colourful speech in celebration of trans and queer identities, sparking a wave of support from the crowd.
“I hope you b****es are f***ing ready!” the retired Time Lord exclaimed, revving up the atmosphere. “Ladies and gentlemen, theys and thems, our beautiful trans brothers and sisters.”
Gatwa, who rose to fame playing Eric Effiong in the acclaimed Netflix comedy series Sex Education, describes himself as queer.
Thirlwall, also 32, followed with a show-stopping entrance. The former Little Mix star stepped into the spotlight wearing a dazzling white crop top emblazoned with “Glasto,” paired with oversized khaki cargo pants sporting tartan detail, chunky trainers, faux-fur hat and a parka draped over her shoulders.
She kicked off her solo career debut with energy, treating fans to tracks from her upcoming album That’s Showbiz Baby! and reviving Little Mix hits “Shout Out to My Ex”, “Woman Like Me” and “Touch.”
Gatwa’s departure from Doctor Who comes after a sharp fall in ratings, with 2.5 million tuning in last month compared to around 13 million at the show’s cultural peak staring David Tennant.
His exit, capping off with criticisms of “woke” storylines, sparked debate. Some fans feared the show had lost direction, while others applauded Gatwa’s decision to step away from the character's increasing demands.
In his own departure video, Gatwa suggested physical and mental strain, all while denying he had been forced out.
JADE performing Little Mix medley of “Shout Out To My Ex”, “Sweet Melody”, “Woman Like Me” and “Touch” at Glastonbury. pic.twitter.com/2jWNOC5yBP
— Jade Thirlwall Charts (@JADEonCharts) June 28, 2025
Before going solo, Thirlwall spent more than a decade as one-quarter of Little Mix. The group — formed on The X Factor in 2011 and comprising Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and originally Jesy Nelson — became one of the most successful girl bands in British chart history with hits including Black Magic and Wings.
In December 2021, the band announced an indefinite hiatus to focus on individual projects. Since then, Thirlwall has taken her time developing her sound and image, telling fans she wanted her solo work to reflect both her musical influences and her passion for queer rights and political activism.
“With Little Mix it was breakup songs and female empowerment music, which I love, but I’m doing it in my own way now. Now it’s a lot more personal to me,” she told The Independent. “It’s for the gays and the gals.”
