Did Doctor Who star quit Eurovision over Israel? Speculation mounts as Ncuti Gatwa’s shock departure from song contest is announced two minutes after Israeli singer qualifies

By GRANT TUCKER ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Published: 20:35 BST, 16 May 2025 | Updated: 20:38 BST, 16 May 2025

Speculation was rife tonight after Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa withdrew from Eurovision hosting duties with the BBC announcement being made just two minutes after Israel qualified for tomorrow night’s final.

The pro-Palestinian actor, 32, had been due to announce the British jury’s points for each participating country’s song during the Grand Final.

But the BBC issued a statement late on Thursday evening replacing him with singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor triggering speculation it was a protest at the result.

The 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.’

The announcement was made moments after Israel’s Yuval Raphael – a survivor of the Hamas massacre at Nova music festival during the October 7 attacks – qualified at Thursday’s semi-final with her song New Day Will Rise.

Gatwa has previously been vocal in his support for Palestine, sharing photographs of Free Palestine graffiti in Italy on his Instagram and posting links to fundraisers for Palestinian causes.

The reason for Gatwa’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.

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 announcement was made moments after Israel’s Yuval Raphael – a survivor of the Hamas massacre at Nova music festival during the October 7 attacks – qualified with her song New Day Will Rise

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’

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 sudden withdrawal came after 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 shows the Israeli entry being booed once again by some sections of the audience.

The jeers are even more audible on social media footage of the performance – but Ms Raphael was still one of the ten acts to succeed in the public vote and make it through to the grand final.

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

Ms Ellis-Bextor, 46, has stepped in for Gatwa, telling 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.

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

The Doctor Who star was previously confirmed as the UK’s spokesperson for the song contest (pictured in 2024)

‘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.

Gatwa will appear tomorrow night in a Eurovision-inspired episode of the Doctor Who, titled The Interstellar Song Contest, starring Graham Norton and Rylan Clark.

The BBC said it had ‘nothing more to add’ on its original statement. Gatwa was approached for comment.

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Did Doctor Who star quit Eurovision over Israel? Speculation mounts as Ncuti Gatwa’s shock departure from song contest is announced two minutes after Israeli singer qualifies

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