Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa will be replaced as the UK’s spokesperson for the Eurovision Song Contest, due to “unforeseen circumstances”, the BBC has said.
The 32-year-old actor, who grew up in Scotland and rose to fame in Sex Education, had been due to reveal the points given by the UK national jury to other contestants during the competition’s grand finale in Basel, Switzerland, on Saturday.
Gatwa’s Eurovision appearance was meant to form part of a massive night of entertainment on the BBC, with the broadcaster dubbing it “Super Saturday”.
As well as the live Grand Final, which will see 25 countries compete for the 2025 title, BBC One will also air a special Eurovision-themed episode of Doctor Who earlier in the evening.
In the episode, titled The Interstellar Song Contest, Gatwa’s Doctor teams up with companion Belinda Chandra (played by Varada Sethu) to visit the 803rd edition of a galaxy-wide singing competition.
The episode also features cameos from Rylan and Eurovision legend Graham Norton.
However, singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who is also a BBC Radio 2 DJ, will now step in for Gatwa.
The corporation said on Thursday evening, when the second semi-final took place, and the UK act Remember Monday performed for the first time.
Ellis-Bextor said: “I love Eurovision and it’s a privilege to be part of 2025’s Grand Final.
“What an honour it is to announce the UK’s jury score on such a special show which always puts music front and centre. I am very much looking forward to delivering the iconic douze points from the United Kingdom.”
A BBC post on X said: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, unfortunately Ncuti Gatwa is no longer able to participate as spokesperson during the Grand Final this weekend.”
Due to unforeseen circumstances, unfortunately Ncuti Gatwa is no longer able to participate as Spokesperson during the Grand Final this weekend. However, we are delighted to confirm that BBC Radio 2’s very own Friday night Kitchen Disco Diva Sophie Ellis-Bextor will be presenting… pic.twitter.com/ti8SJgFKDY
— BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) May 15, 2025
Before the final on Saturday, a Eurovision themed episode of Doctor Who – The Interstellar Song Contest – will air.
The sixth episode in the current season of sci-fi hit Doctor Who will see The Doctor (Gatwa) and companion Belinda Chandra (Varada Sethu) travelling to the 803rd Interstellar Song Contest.
In the episode, the Interstellar Song Contest features planets from across the universe competing for the top prize and is co-hosted by TV and radio presenter Rylan Clark, while Irish TV host and the “King of Eurovision”, Graham Norton appears.
