Ncuti Gatwa took to his Instagram to promote Doctor Who’s Eurovision-inspired episode just hours after pulling out of hosting the contest’s Grand Final. 

The Rwandan-Scottish actor, 32, had been set to present the British jury’s points for each participating country’s song before the BBC announced he had pulled out on Thursday due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’.

The announcement of his absence came just minutes after Israel’s Yuval Raphael – a survivor of the October 7 attacks – secured the nation’s place in the final.

It sparked rife speculation that Ncuti – who has been vocal in his support for Palestine – may have withdrawn due to Israel’s qualification for the Grand Final. 

But on Friday, the actor took to Instagram to promote the BBC’s high-budget Doctor Who Eurovision-inspired episode, which will air before the Eurovision final on Saturday.

He shared a video to his Stories showing himself, Rylan Clark, Graham Norton and Varada Sethu featuring in a video promising the ‘explosive event’ will provide ‘terror, trauma and tears’.

Ncuti Gatwa, 32, took to Instagram to promote Saturday night’s Eurovision-inspired Doctor Who episode hours after withdrawing from presenting the contest’s Final (pictured May 2025)

The ‘explosive’ and high-budget episode, тιтled the Interstellar Song Contest, will air before Eurovision  begins 

The announcement that Ncuti had withdrawn was made moments after Israel’s Yuval Raphael – a survivor of the October 7 attacks – qualified with her song New Day Will Rise

The episode has been тιтled The Interstellar Song Contest and will take an intergalactic spin on the famed contest in a very special episode.

But Saturday night TV viewers will only see Ncuti on screen for an hour, with the BBC announcing Sophie Ellis-Bextor as his last-minute replacement on Eurovision.

Their statement read: ‘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 the Jury result live from the UK.’

Doctor Who’s future has also been confirmed as it has been claimed that showrunner Russel T Davies has already planned the next two series, though there will be a ‘big pause’ before it returns to air.

Though it has not been officially confirmed if Ncuti will continue as the Time Lord, following claims he could be stepping down, it appears there are more adventures in store for fans.

‘The TARDIS set is still standing in Cardiff, all ready to go on new adventures,’ an insider told The Mirror.

‘There will be a gap while the scripts are finalised, the episodes are filmed and the editing process takes place. But we’ll be back. The wait won’t be forever, just a big pause.’ 

Speculation was rife after Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa withdrew from Eurovision hosting duties – with the BBC announcement being made just two minutes after Israel qualified 

The news comes as Sophie shared her excitement over stepping in for Ncuti on the Eurovision Grand Final. 

She told fans: ‘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!’

Previously, Joanna Lumley, Fearne Cotton, Nigella Lawson and Catherine Tate have taken on the spokesperson role.

Ncuti has previously shared pH๏τographs of Free Palestine graffiti in Italy on his Instagram as well as posting links to fundraisers for Palestinian causes. 

The reason for Ncuti’s last minute withdrawal from his hosting duties was not made clear, aside from the BBC’s initial ‘unforeseen circumstances’ message, but fans speculated Israel’s qualification was the cause.

One pro Palestinian social media commentator said: ‘Israel qualified to the Eurovision final at 22:16 last night. Then at 22:18, just two minutes later, the BBC announced Ncuti Gatwa cancelling his appearance on Eurovision for “unforseen circumstances”. We see you Ncuti; we see you and we like you a lot.’

Another said: ‘THAT’s backing up your morals. #FreePalestine.’

The BBC confirmed in an Instagram statement on Thursday: ‘Due to unforeseen circumstances, unfortunately Ncuti Gatwa is no longer able to participate as Spokesperson during the Grand Final this weekend’

Sophie Ellis-Bextor will now replace Ncuti as the British jury’s points for each participating country’s song on Saturday

Read More Ncuti Gatwa pulls out of Eurovision final and is replaced with a VERY famous singer

The sudden withdrawal came amid Israel’s semi-final performance in Basel, Switzerland, was interrupted by six pro-Palestinian demonstrators carrying large flags. 

Under the arena rules, all flags are allowed but there are limits on size, and so the audience members were quickly ejected from the St Jakobshalle arena.

Later on, footage from the TV broadcast semi-final showed the Israeli entry being booed once again by some sections of the audience.

The jeers were more audible on social media footage of the performance – but Yuval was one of the ten acts to succeed in the public vote and make it through to the final.

This year’s contest has been frequently targeted by pro-Palestine activists over Israel’s participation.

Ncuti’s representatives were approached for comment by MailOnline.