BBC Confirms David Tennant And Catherine Tate Are Returning To Doctor Who

David Tennant and Catherine Tate are returning to the Doctor Who franchise, with showrunner Russell T Davies promising something 'spectacular' when they reunite for special scenes celebrating the show's 60th anniversary.

The BBC said in a press release: "The Doctor and Donna parted ways when the Doctor had to wipe Donna's memory, making her forget him, in order to save her life. He left her family with a warning: if ever she remembers, she will die.

"But with the two coming face to face once more, the big question is, just what brings the Doctor and Donna back together?"

The pair have reunited to film scenes that are 'due to air in 2023', but Doctor Who top dogs remain tight-lipped about what's in store for the pair's characters, with Davies saying: “They're back! And it looks impossible - first, we announce a new Doctor, and then an old Doctor, along with the wonderful Donna, what on earth is happening?

"Maybe this is a missing story. Or a parallel world. Or a dream, or a trick, or a flashback.

"The only thing I can confirm is that it’s going to be spectacular, as two of our greatest stars reunite for the battle of a lifetime.”

Tennant, who appeared as the Doctor between 2005 and 2010 and was succeeded by Matt Smith, was voted the most beloved Time Lord ever in a 2020 fan poll from the Radio Times.

Smashing tough competition from Tom Baker, Jon Pertwee and more recent Doctors such as Christopher Eccleston and Jodie Whittaker, Tennant scooped 10,518 votes from almost 50,000.

Hot on his heels was current Doctor Jodie Whittaker who had 10,423 votes, while Peter Capaldi came in third place with 8,897 votes, Smith had 7,637 and Baker 3,977.

On the other end of the table, Peter Davidson pulled in just 351 votes.

Of course, soon there'll be even more competition when Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa takes over, having been announced as the new Doctor last weekend.

Speaking to LADbible at the time, Gatwa said he was 'over the moon' to land the role, adding: "It’s really exciting – I'm so happy to finally talk about it! Because it’s been a long time that I’ve known, and so yeah I’m happy that it’s out.

"I’m so grateful to be sharing the tenureship with Russell as well, he’s just the most incredible writer. I really fell in love with his writing in terms of watching the show. I just think he’s incredible, and so I feel very honoured to be part of it."

Davies also told us about how Gatwa got involved, explaining: "It was an audition. He walked in to audition and it was the last person to audition – I thought we had someone else and then he came and it was like, ‘Wow. That’s it.’

"And then I have to take that to all my bosses, and then at every stage, I’m thinking, ‘Please like him, please like him.’ And every single person loved him.

"It was the easiest casting process in the world. Instant yeses. I was so pleased."