Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Look Who’s back... Clara says farewell
WE have some good news for Doctor Who fans still reeling from the emotional series finale on Saturday.
When the Steven Moffat era comes to an end after seven years with the Christmas special, the Time Lord will bid a final goodbye to Clara Oswald as well as Bill Potts. Our source reveals: “Jenna Coleman has agreed to film something new as Clara. It’s become a tradition now for the companions to reappear as the Doctor regenerates and Jenna isn’t letting the side down. “It’ll help to give Peter the send-off he deserves after three years.” Jenna, 31, will soon appear in the second series of ITV’S Victoria alongside her real-life beau Tom Hughes, who plays Prince Albert. Her mini-comeback comes after Billie Piper returned as Rose Tyler to say goodbye to David Tennant in 2009 and Karen Gillan came back as Amy Pond to say ta-ra to Matt Smith in 2013. Pearl Mackie’s reign as Bill Potts appeared to end on Saturday, as she chose to explore the universe with her watery love from the first episode, starry-eyed Heather, having spent most of the episode trapped in the body of a Cyberman. Bill is expected to appear “in some form” during the Christmas special along with Matt Lucas as Nardole but neither will return for the next series under new showrunner Chris Chibnall. The source says: “Bill and Nardole are due to get brief appearances but they could be clips or flashbacks from earlier episodes. “Fans should accept this weekend’s finale was their big swansong.” Looking ahead, there could be huge changes for Doctor Who. Rumours abound that the entire production could be quitting Cardiff for Manchester. Insiders report that Chibnall, famous for writing Broadchurch, is keen to put a new stamp on the programme with a Doctor and companion of his choosing. He is also planning to run an Americanstyle writers’ room, where a team of scriptwriters get together to pen the various episodes in collaboration. “I don’t want to go!” Capaldi’s Doctor shouted on Saturday. “I can’t keep on being somebody else.” Er, yes you can, mate. Shift along now...