There was quite a surprise at Eurovision this week when Ncuti Gatwa, best known as the star of Doctor Who, suddenly pulled out of his planned role as the British spokesperson announcing the UK jury’s points during the Grand Final.
The announcement came just moments after Israel’s entry qualified for the final, sparking a wave of speculation about the reasons behind his last-minute withdrawal.
BBC Replaces Ncuti Gatwa with Sophie Ellis-Bextor Amid Speculation
The BBC confirmed late Thursday that due to “unforeseen circumstances,” Ncuti would no longer be participating in the live Grand Final broadcast.
Instead, pop singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor will step in to present the UK’s jury results.
The timing of this announcement—just two minutes after Israel’s singer Yuval Raphael qualified for the final—led many fans and commentators to wonder if this was a quiet protest linked to Gatwa’s known support for Palestine.
Ncuti Gatwa’s Support for Palestine and Public Reaction
Ncuti, 32, has previously been outspoken about his pro-Palestinian views.
He has shared images of Free Palestine graffiti from his travels and promoted fundraisers for Palestinian causes on social media.
Many fans picked up on this and reacted strongly when the BBC revealed Gatwa’s withdrawal without giving a clear reason beyond “unforeseen circumstances.”
On social media, some voices praised the actor’s decision as a stand of solidarity.
One commentator pointed out the exact timing of Israel’s qualification and the BBC’s announcement, saying, “We see you Ncuti; we see you and we like you a lot.”
Another simply wrote, “THAT’s backing up your morals. #FreePalestine.”
Controversy Around Israel’s Participation and Eurovision Audience Reaction
Israel’s journey in Eurovision this year has not been without tension.
During their semi-final performance in Basel, Switzerland, six pro-Palestinian protestors briefly interrupted the show by waving large flags, which led to their removal under the arena’s rules on flag sizes.
Additionally, Israel’s entry was met with audible boos from some audience members, both live and on broadcast, though Yuval Raphael still secured enough public votes to reach the final.
This year’s contest has seen several moments where pro-Palestinian activists have expressed their opposition to Israel’s participation, making the event politically charged beyond its usual festive spirit.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor Steps Up with Enthusiasm for Eurovision
Taking over from Gatwa, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, 46, shared her excitement about joining the show: “I love Eurovision and it’s a privilege to be part of 2025’s Grand Final.
What an honour to announce the UK’s jury score on such a special show which always puts music front and centre.”
She also expressed eagerness to deliver the iconic “douze points” from the UK.
This spokesperson role has been filled by notable names before, including Joanna Lumley, Fearne Cotton, Nigella Lawson, and Catherine Tate, so Ellis-Bextor joins a prestigious line-up.
What’s Next for Ncuti Gatwa and the BBC’s Eurovision Coverage?
While the BBC offered no further explanation beyond their initial statement, Ncuti Gatwa will appear in a special Eurovision-themed episode of Doctor Who airing tomorrow night, titled The Interstellar Song Contest.
The episode also stars Graham Norton and Rylan Clark, tying in some of the Eurovision spirit.
The BBC has declined to comment further, and Gatwa’s team has yet to respond to requests for more details on his sudden Eurovision withdrawal.