Doctor Who’s chief show writer has dismissed fans’ views that it has become too ‘woke’ after viewers complained about the beloved science-fictions show online.
The long-running BBC show, which has a global following of millions, has seen its ratings plummet after fans were left fed up by some of its recent plots.
Campaigners have accused bosses behind the series of ‘promoting the cult of gender ideology’ in the latest episodes, streamed globally thanks to a lucrative deal with Disney thought to be worth £100million.
In the show’s 60th anniversary, fans were introduced to Rose Noble, the transgender daughter of Donna Noble, who blasts the Doctor for ‘assuming the gender’ of a rat-like furry alien.
Fuming Whovians have also lamented the introduction of the screeching, deranged, wide-mouthed, ginger-haired non-binary villain, Maestro – played by American drag queen Jinkx Monsoon.
Returning boss Russell T Davies has introduced a string of controversial plots – included David Tennant’s Doctor realising he was gay after developing a crush on the ‘hot’ Sir Isaac Newton.
Yet this week, 61-year-old Davies told BBC Radio 2: ‘Someone always brings up matters of diversity.
‘There are online warriors accusing us of diversity and weakness and involving messages and issues. I have no time for this. I don’t want to bear [it].
‘Because what you might call diversity, I just call and open door.
He added: ‘Why limit to yourself? Why breathe in the exhaust fumes? ‘Why be toxic? Come over here where the life and light and air and sound is.’
It comes amid rumours the franchise’s lead star, Ncuti Gatwa, is on the verge of quitting his role as the Time Lord and that the show could soon be cancelled.
Ncuti’s first series attracting between 2.25million and 3.18million viewers – a tiny fraction of what the franchise used to pull in.
The Scottish actor, 32, joined the cast in 2023 after Jodie Whittaker bowed out as the Doctor, but it’s rumoured he’s set to walk away from the show after two seasons.
According to reports, a decision of the show’s future will only be decided by bosses once Ncuti’s second series hits screens later this year.
He was the first black actor to take on the leading role as The Doctor, afte Whittaker, who was the first female lead of the show, bowed out in 2017.
But it was the hit Neftlix comedy-drama where he became aa household name starring as gay teenager Eric Effiong.
Ncuti appeared unphased by the reports, emerging a few days later on March 26, 2025 cutting an effortlessly chic figure in New York.
Whilst out and about in Midtown, the Sex Education star sported an oversized black coat complete with a belt, which he wore over high-waisted tailored trousers.
The actor paired the trousers with a white and black striped fitted knitted top, which he left unbuttoned exposing his chest.
The show, which has been produced by the BBC since 1963, has been blasted by critics in recent weeks, who described its return as ‘unoriginal and uninspired’.