Doctor Who fans will be watching this year's Children in Need with keen interest, after it has been confirmed that the Doctor's new sidekick will be revealed during Friday night's live show.
Earlier this year, it was confirmed by the BBC that Sex Education actor Ncuti Gatwa would be taking over Jodie Whittaker in the famous role of the Doctor, following in the footsteps of the likes of Christopher Eccleston, Sylvester McCoy and Tom Baker. Talking about landing the part, Ncuti, whom plays Eric in Netflix smash Sex Education, said: "It means a lot to so many people, including myself".
He added: "I feel very grateful to have had the baton handed over and I'm going to try to do my best."
READ MORE: What's on Children in Need this year? From Weakest Link to Lewis Capaldi
And now the identity of the Doctor's new companion looks set to be unveiled to the nation during the three hour live Children in Need broadcast on BBC One on Friday. And the news that the BBC will use the annual appeal show to break the news has sent fans of Doctor Who into a frenzy with speculation. Reacting to the announcement, one tweeted: "The fact they're announcing it this way makes me think its someone relatively well known. Its unlikely they'd be doing it on such a big BBC event if it was a relative newcomer who people might not be familiar with."
A second reacted: "Imagine the reaction if it turns out to just be somebody from EastEnders!" while others predicted it might be a bluff and the assistant would turn out to be Children in Need icon Pudsey.
Last month there was a massive surprise for Doctor Who viewers when, after Josie Whittaker bid farewell to the franchise in her final scenes at the end of feature length special The Power of the Doctor , she morphed into iconic Doctor, David Tennant.
As the end credits played out, Twitter was awash with delight from Doctor Who fans. One remarked: "Jodie Whittaker regenerating into David Tennant?! Am I back in 2006?!?" A second tweeted: "David f’king Tennant. Oh. My. Days," with another reacting: "David Tennant back as the doctor?!Might have to watch Doctor Who for the first time since… well, since he left."
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