10 Greatest Doctor Who Moments Of 2023

One member of the Noble clan was conspicuously absent from The Star Beast: Donna’s grandad Wilf.

We knew that Bernard Cribbins had filmed some material in Camden before his passing, but it wasn’t clear whether he’d managed to tape all of his scenes in time. It was entirely possible that his performance had been left on the cutting room floor, as was the case for Howard Attfield before him.

Thankfully, the Camden scene did make it to screen intact, at the end of Wild Blue Yonder. And given Cribbins’ passing, it was all the more poignant to see Wilf meet the Doctor again, one last time.

Though he was set to appear more prominently in The Giggle, he was instead represented by a sparingly-used double, who swiftly exits stage following the cliffhanger resolution. As it stands then, this is Wilf’s final scene in the Whoniverse – and, by accident rather than design, Cribbins’ final screen performance.

Wilf's reaction to seeing Ten's face again is beautiful, and for an anniversary all about celebrating the past, it's tough to think of a more defining moment.

Doctor Who fans will never forget this scene. Farewell, old soldier.