Ncuti Gatwa and the Doctor Who franchise as a whole have come under fire from a number of fans following the news of a collaboration with the Eurovision Song Contest.
On Friday, the 32-year-old was unveiled as this year's official spokesperson for the United Kingdom, meaning he'll be on hand to deliver the scores from the UK's jury to the rest of Europe.
The collaborative efforts don't stop there, as on the same night of the contest, the BBC will air a Eurovision-inspired episode of the sci-fi series, titled The Interstellar Song Contest.
News of the joint projects between Doctor Who and Eurovision comes amid restlessness within the song contest's fans, with several opposing bosses' decision to allow Israel to participate.
Eurovision has also faced backlash for its decision to "ban" Pride flags among its competitors, limiting participants to "only one national flag in official spaces".
Combined, these factors prompted critics to hijack the announcement of Gatwa's Eurovision role on social media, with many expressing their disappointment in the former Sex Education star's decision.
BBC Doctor Who: Ncuti Gatwa plays the current regeneration of the character BBC"Douze Points (or should that be fifteen?) for #DoctorWho!" a celebratory post on the Doctor Who Instagram page began.
"Ncuti Gatwa will be the UK's jury spokesperson for this year’s #Eurovision Song Contest, delivering the UK points to the world! #Eurovision2025."
Rather than floods of supportive statements, several fans opted for a different approach, with one social media user replying: "Not sure this is the time to have anything to do with Eurovision, honestly..."
"Really?? After they banned pride flags from being allowed?? We should be BOYCOTTING," a second put before a third agreed: "Read the room..."
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BBC Eurovision: Remember Monday are this year's UK representatives
BBC
Elsewhere, a fourth hit out: "I would usually be excited but I'm boycotting until Israel is given the same treatment as Russia."
And a fifth could sense the negativity among the fanbase: "Damn I don't follow Eurovision but with everything I'm reading in the comments this doesn't seem like a good idea."
Gatwa and Doctor Who did receive some plaudits from fans, however, with one arguing: "Fab-u-lous idea. Media team proper nailing it this year."
A second similarly lauded the move: "This is a genius tie in! For the Interstellar Song Contest!" (sic)
Gatwa's involvement in this year's contest - in which Remember Monday will represent the UK - comes after national broadcasters from Iceland, Slovenia and Spain have all voiced their desire to debate whether or not Israel should be allowed to compete.
Responding to the conversation surrounding its decision to allow Israel to participate, the EBU said: "We understand the concerns and deeply held views around the current conflict in the Middle East. The EBU is an association of public service broadcasters who are all eligible to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest every year.
"We are not immune to global events, but together, it is our role to ensure the Contest remains – at its heart – a universal event that promotes connections, diversity, and inclusion through music.
"We received an application from our Israeli member Kan before the September deadline to participate in the 2025 event. The application from Kan met all the competition rules. As an independent media organisation, our decisions are based on these rules.
BBC Eurovision: Remember Monday will perform in Basel, Switzerland
BBC
"We all aspire to keep the Eurovision Song Contest positive and celebratory, and aspire to show the world as it could be, rather than how it necessarily is.
"The EBU remains aligned with other international organisations that have similarly maintained their inclusive stance towards Israeli participants in major competitions at this time," it added to HuffPost UK.
Meanwhile, bosses at Eurovision have also spoken out to clarify their decision to only allow national flags on stage.
Martin Green CBE, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, told MailOnline: "The official flag policies of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 have been developed by the Swiss host broadcaster SRG SSR with input from the EBU, particularly on official ESC spaces, to provide clarity for audiences and delegations.
Ncuti Gatwa will deliver the UK jury's score to the rest of Europe during Eurovision later this month
GETTY
"Together we wanted to strike a balance to ensure that our audiences and artists can express their enthusiasm and identities, whilst at the same time providing more clarity for the delegations when it comes to official spaces.
"In line with other international competitive events, the policy for participating broadcasters is that only one national flag can be used in official spaces – these are the Stage, Green Room, Eurovision Village Stage, and Turquoise Carpet at the Opening Ceremony.
"Outside of these official spaces, the flag policy for delegations is the same as for audiences, where all flags permitted under Swiss law can be used, including Pride flags, and provides plenty of opportunities for the expression of everyone’s identities."
GB News has contacted Gatwa's representatives for comment on the backlash.
