DR WHO IN MELTDOWN
Fans fight over new Time Lord
BBC bosses face a ratings disaster after fans reacted with fury to its new female Doctor Who star.
The shock announcement of Broadchurch star Jodie Whittaker as the 13th Doctor was met with equal anger and delight.
Many reckon her casting is the perfect kick up the backside for a show which has only had white male actors in the main part.
But others view it as a betrayal of the show’s history, saying the role is for a man and lots are threatening to stage a boycott.
The backlash left bosses worried their big gamble could see viewers spark a mass switch off.
One wrote on Twitter: “Time LORD. I repeat the Doctor is a time LORD. Not a time LADY.”
Another said: “Doctor Who is a woman? No thanks, not interested.”
Jodie, 35, will take over the Tardis from Peter Capaldi, 59, in this year’s Christmas special before her allimportant first full series in 2018.
Amazed
But the Beeb’s director of content Charlotte Moore defiantly said: “Making history is what Doctor Who is all about and Chris Chibnall’s bold new take on the next Time Lord is exactly that. “The nation is going to fall in love with Jodie Whittaker – and have lots of fun too!” And despite the fan backlash she has support from a host of previous Doctors and their Tardis companions. Sixth Doctor Colin Baker tweeted: “Cannot deny that I am amazed by the ‘never watch it again’ reaction by some viewers (I hesitate to call them “fans). Very sad.” And his successor Sylvester McCoy said: “One small step for Women, one Giant leap for Womenkind!!” Billie Piper, who played Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant’s companion Rose, wrote: “YES.” Even Theresa May, only Britain’s second female Prime Minister, said she was “pleased”.