Ncuti Gatwa will no longer be the UK’s spokesperson during the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest, the BBC has announced.

Gatwa was chosen to be the UK’s official spokesperson at the beginning of the month, a role which would have had him reveal the points awarded to other countries in the competition by the UK’s national jury. But on Thursday evening (15 May), the BBC said that due to “unforeseen circumstances”, the Doctor Who star would no longer be taking part.

A BBC spokesperson revealed that he was being replaced by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Radio 2’s “very own Friday-night kitchen disco diva”.

Ellis-Bextor, whose 2001 track “Murder on the Dancefloor” shot back into the charts last year, after being featured in hit film Saltburn, said: “I love Eurovision and it’s a privilege to be part of 2025’s grand final. What an honour it is to announce the UK’s jury score on such a special show, which always puts music front and centre.

“I am very much looking forward to delivering the iconic douze [12] points from the United Kingdom.”

Due to unforeseen circumstances, unfortunately Ncuti Gatwa is no longer able to participate as Spokesperson during the Grand Final this weekend. However, we are delighted to confirm that BBC Radio 2’s very own Friday night Kitchen Disco Diva Sophie Ellis-Bextor will be presenting… pic.twitter.com/ti8SJgFKDY

— BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) May 15, 2025

The final of the contest will take place on Saturday (17 May), the same day the BBC is set to air a new episode of Doctor Who, entitled “Intergalactic Song Contest” – very much inspired by Eurovision.

The episode, written by transgender author Juno Dawson – and believed to be the show’s most-expensive ever – will feature the Doctor (Gatwa) and his companion Belinda Chandra arriving at the 803rd Interstellar Song Contest, with planets from across the universe competing for the top prize.

Rylan and Eurovision legend Graham Norton will also appear in the story.

“There’s no song contest without the great man himself, and it was an honour to welcome Graham Norton to our studios in Cardiff,” Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies said. “This is the wildest episode of all, and we’re lucky to have Graham adding to the mayhem.”

Although no reason was given for Gatwa’s Eurovision departure, it comes as the tension around Israel’s involvement in the contest continues.

Rehearsals of Israel’s song, “New Day Will Rise”, by Yuval Raphael, on Thursday (15 May) were disrupted by protesters outside, who brandished flags and blew whistles.

The protest in Basel, Switzerland, came as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continued to rage, following the attack by the proscribed terrorist group on 7 October 2023, which left some 1,200 people dead and at least 250 Israeli citizens and soldiers taken hostage. The subsequent bombardment of Gaza is said to have killed 50,000 people, although a peer-reviewed study published in the medical journal The Lancet put the Palestinian death toll considerably higher.

Israel has faced international criticism for its continued military action, including the blockade of humanitarian aid, which has caused food and medical shortages.

Even before the Eurovision semi-finals began, more than 70 former contestants, including winners, signed an open letter to the European Broadcasting Union, calling for Israel to be removed from this year’s competition.

Raphael, a survivor of the 7 October attacks, said she “expected” boos during the live shows. She has made it through to the final.

While walking the “turquoise carpet” in Basel on Sunday (11 May), she was met by protesters in the crowd, with one man making a threatening gesture towards her.

In footage filmed by a member of the Israeli delegation, the unnamed man was seen waving a Palestinian flag and making a thumbs-down gesture her way before sliding his fingers over his throat and spitting. The incident was reported to local police.

Coverage of The Eurovision Song Contest grand final begins at 8pm on BBC1 on Saturday (18 May).

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