Oh, sweeties, grab your sonic screwdrivers and your sequined jumpsuits — television history is about to serve us the most deliciously bizarre crossover event since Lady Gaga wore that meat dress to the VMAs. In a stroke of programming genius that feels like it was cooked up during a particularly spirited afternoon tea with the BBC executives, “Doctor Who” sensation Ncuti Gatwa is stepping into not one, but two Eurovision spotlights this May. And darling, the timing couldn’t be more perfect as we navigate the post-Barbie pink cultural landscape of 2025.
The absolutely radiant Gatwa — who’s been absolutely slaying it as the latest Time Lord — is set to follow in the glamorous footsteps of Dame Joanna Lumley and the delectable Nigella Lawson as the UK’s Eurovision spokesperson. But hold onto your fascinators, because that’s merely the appetizer in this feast of fabulous.
May 17th (mark those calendars, darlings) brings us what the entertainment gods are calling “Super Saturday.” Picture this: First, we’re treated to Gatwa starring in “The Interstellar Song Contest,” a Eurovision-themed Doctor Who special that sounds like something dreamed up after one too many glasses of prosecco at a BBC writers’ retreat. Then — because apparently the universe does occasionally give us exactly what we need — he’ll materialize in Basel, Switzerland, to deliver the UK’s jury votes live from the actual Eurovision competition.
The Doctor Who special deserves its own moment in the spotlight, sweeties. Set at the 803rd Interstellar Song Contest (because why stop at Eurovision when you can go intergalactic?), it’s bringing us the absolutely perfect casting of Graham Norton. And not just as a drive-by cameo, mind you — showrunner Russell T Davies has promised Norton gets “a whole plot twist all to himself.” Frankly, anything less would’ve been criminal.
Speaking of inspired choices that make perfect sense after three martinis, beloved TV personality Rylan Clark is joining this cosmic carnival as co-host. It’s the kind of casting that makes you wonder if somewhere, in an alternate universe, there’s a TARDIS working overtime as a talent agency.
Meanwhile, back on our humble little planet, the actual Eurovision Song Contest is shaping up to be its own spectacular circus. The UK’s entry, Remember Monday, will be performing “What The Hell Just Happened?” — a title that feels like it was specifically crafted for both Eurovision and Doctor Who fans to appreciate on multiple levels.
As one of the “big five” nations (alongside Spain, Germany, France, and Italy), the UK’s already secured its spot in the grand finale, joining Switzerland in what promises to be a glitter-bombed extravaganza of epic proportions. The remaining finalists will emerge from the semi-finals on May 13 and 15, like perfectly coiffed phoenixes rising from a sea of wind machines and key changes.
There’s something rather poetic about Gatwa taking the spokesperson mantle from Catherine Tate, who held the role in 2023. It’s creating what one hopes might become a delicious new tradition of Time Lords announcing points across Europe — though perhaps we should wait until after May 17 before we start calling it a pattern, darlings.
This marriage of Doctor Who and Eurovision is exactly the kind of television event that reminds us why British entertainment continues to reign supreme. It’s bold, it’s completely bonkers, and it’s absolutely brilliant. In a world where streaming platforms are constantly trying to reinvent the wheel, this is the kind of programming that proves sometimes the best television moments come from simply throwing two beloved institutions together and watching the sparkles fly.
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