As the BBC’s Doctor Who, Ncuti Gatwa came under fire when he mysteriously pulled out of his Eurovision hosting duties moments after Israel qualified last month.
Now it can be revealed that three days after the actor departed Doctor Who, he spoke at a pro-Palestine demonstration outside parliament.
On 3 June, the actor, 32, stood in front of a banner reading ‘Gaza: Actions Not Words’ and delivered a speech to hundreds of people at the Westminster event, organised by Choose Love – a charity that this week supported Greta Thunberg’s ‘selfie yacht’ trip to Gaza.
Gatwa had withdrawn from his role as a Eurovision Grand Final spokesman just 18 days before his speech at the rally.
It has prompted renewed speculation as to his motivation for pulling out of the role and whether the BBC was aware that he would do so if Israel qualified.
He had been due to announce the UK jury’s points during the live broadcast but was replaced at short notice by singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, 46.
The BBC made the change public only two minutes after Israel qualified for the final – prompting speculation that his withdrawal was a protest.
The broadcaster cited ‘unforeseen circumstances’ as the reason.
32, stood in front of a banner reading ‘Gaza: Actions Not Words’ and delivered a speech to hundreds of people at the Westminster event
Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa was pictured at the rally just days after he left Doctor Who
In the recent season finale Gatwa was replaced by Billie Piper after just two seasons in the role
The timing raised eyebrows, as Israel’s contestant, Yuval Raphael – a survivor of the October 7 Nova music festival attack – secured her place in the final that same evening.
Gatwa has previously expressed support for the Palestinian cause on social media, sharing images of ‘Free Palestine’ graffiti and promoting fundraising campaigns.
The Rwanda-born, Scotland-raised actor made history as the first Black actor to lead Doctor Who, taking on the role of the Fifteenth Doctor in 2023.
However, his tenure ended after just two series, making him the second shortest-serving Doctor in the show’s history – only Christopher Eccleston’s single-series run was shorter.
Gatwa’s departure was announced in May 2025, when his character regenerated into Rose Tyler played by Billie Piper, 42, ending his 18-month stint in the Tardis.
One attendee at the Westminster rally told the Mail: ‘He actually read out the names of deceased Palestinian children from his mobile.
‘Ncuti appears unaware that, despite his support for Palestine, he could face serious risks in parts of the Middle East. Given the timing – coming so soon after the Eurovision controversy and his abrupt departure from Doctor Who – his appearance may reflect a belief that his position at the BBC had become untenable.’
He was joined at the rally by comedian Alexei Sayle and his former Doctor Who co-star Varada Sethu.
Sethu, 33, who played companion Belinda Chandra in Doctor Who, who left the sci-fi show at the time as Gatwa, also spoke at the rally.
Gatwa’s representatives and the BBC have been approached for comment.
