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New Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa moved as Sylvester McCoy welcomes him to 'the family'

Julia Hunt
·Contributor
·2-min read

Watch: Doctor Who stars Ncuti Gatwa and Sylvester McCoy share sweet messages

New Doctor Who Ncuti Gatwa has said the support of other Timelords means 'the world' to him after Tardis veteran Sylvester McCoy recorded him a welcome message.

It was announced last week that Sex Education star Gatwa would be the new Doctor after Jodie Whittaker.

McCoy, who was the Doctor from 1987 to 1989, has shared a sweet video saying he wished the actor well in the role.

Read more: Chris Chibnall almost quit Doctor Who during pandemic

"Welcome Ncuti Gatwa, welcome to our unique club – the Doctor Who club," said the 78-year-old.

Sylvester McCoy welcomed Ncuti Gatwa to the family.
Sylvester McCoy welcomed Ncuti Gatwa to the family.

"You are very welcome and it will be a delight to watch you take on the Daleks, the Cybermen, the Weeping Angels and the critics! We all had to do that when we took over.

"Anyway, I wish you well – I wish you everything you wish for yourself and the Tardis, I hope you have great adventures. I know you will, I had.

"All the best mate, all the best! I look forward to meeting you someday, bye."

Ncuti Gatwa will be the new star of Doctor Who after Jodie Whittaker departs the role. (FilmMagic)
Ncuti Gatwa will be the new star of Doctor Who after Jodie Whittaker departs the role. (FilmMagic) (FilmMagic)

"Another Scot!" he added.

Gatwa has now responded with a video of his own.

“Sylvester McCoy, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you so much for your beautiful message,” he said.

“It means the absolute world, especially coming from a fellow Scot.”

Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor and Sophie Aldred as Ace seen here on location near Arundel with the Cybermen during the filming of the Dr Who story called The Silver Nemesis, 28th June 1988. (Photo by Arthur Sidey/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)
Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor and Sophie Aldred as Ace, 1988. (Arthur Sidey/Mirrorpix/Getty Images) (Mirrorpix via Getty Images)

He went on: “I am so looking forward to facing all of those foes, especially the last one that you mentioned.

“And the support from you and all the other Doctors has just filled me with the strength that I will be able to do that.”

"Thank you so much for welcoming me in to the family, it means the world," said the star, adding that McCoy was "a gentleman".

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Ncuti Gatwa and Russell T Davies attend the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on May 08, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Ncuti Gatwa and Russell T Davies attend the British Academy Television Awards, 2022. (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)

Gatwa's casting was announced at the weekend, and the actor said he was "deeply honoured, beyond excited and of course a little bit scared".

Read more: Ncuti Gatwa stars in Sex Education season three

Doctor Who boss Russell T Davies said: "Ncuti dazzled us, seized hold of the Doctor and owned those TARDIS keys in seconds.

"It’s an honour to work with him, and a hoot, I can’t wait to get started."

Watch: Ncuti Gatwa on joining Doctor Who