Ncuti Gatwa reveals reason he pulled out of Eurovision as he takes swipe at BBC

Former Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa has spoken about pulling out of the Eurovision Song Contest. He was due to represent the UK's jury but then just days before the final in May the BBC announced that he would no longer appear.

Ncuti, 32, was named the spokesperson for the jury on May 2, ahead of the contest in Switzerland that month. Less than two weeks later though, it was announced that Sophie Ellis Bextor would provide the jury's results instead.

The BBC shared the news on May 15, the same night as the second semi-final. It said: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, unfortunately [Ncuti] is no longer able to participate as Spokesperson during the Grand Final this weekend."

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Following the news, there was speculation that Ncuti had dropped out of the role due to Israel's continued participation in the contest, with it noted at the time that he's been vocal in his support for Palestine. The BBC had announced his departure shortly after Israel qualified for the grand final in the second semi-final.

The actor was asked about his decision whilst a guest on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg yesterday. Ncuti and co-star Edward Bluemel appeared to promote their West End play Born With Teeth, which opens in London next month.

Ncuti, who also spoke about his departure from Doctor Who on the BBC talk show over the weekend, was asked by presenter Laura Kuenssberg, 48: "Lots of people were really excited to see you at Eurovision and then at the last minute you decided not to go ahead with it. Can I ask why you did that?"

Laura continued: "Was that because of some of the strains that you'd been under? You didn't wanna be on such a big platform or what was it about?"

Ncuti said that he had been "busy" with his career and told the host that he had pulled out of his Eurovision role "long before" it was announced on May 15. He then questioned why it was announced by the BBC when it was.

Addressing the question, Ncuti said: "That one ... it all panned out very interestingly. I pulled out of it a long time before it was announced. And it was announced when it was announced. I don't know why. But I was just very busy."

He continued by telling Laura: "Just had a lot of work scheduled." He explained during the interview yesterday: "A lot of press around [my upcoming film] the Roses, around Doctor [Who], around ... yeah, there was just a lot of press."

Laura added: "There was some speculation that ... because there was controversy about Israel being a part of the competition ... and there was speculation that that's why you had decided not to take part because you have before been one of many people who's expressed a lot of support for the Palestinians. Was that part of your reasoning?"

Ncuti replied: "No, I was just very busy." He was then asked if he had watched Eurovision this year following his departure from his role as spokesperson. He told Laura: "I didn't, no." Ncuti concluded his answer by saying: "Was busy."

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