10 Biggest Doctor Who Conspiracy Theories
Is this the REAL reason why the Doctor encounters the Daleks so often?
Doctor Who has confirmed various real-world conspiracy theories, such as the pyramids being built by aliens (the Osirans say hi), and mankind’s evolution being guided by extraterrestrial forces (take your pick from the Fendahl, the Silence, and a host of others).
But the show has also attracted conspiracy theories of its own, covering everything from casting and production, to plotlines and publicity.
The Thirteenth Doctor either loved or hated conspiracies, depending on the conspiracy. Likewise, some of these theories are genuinely convincing, while others will have even the most charitable fan shaking their head.
They might all be a load of rubbish. But some would say there’s no smoke without fire. And like the best conspiracy theories, regardless of whether they’re true or not, they all make for interesting reading!
So, was that actor really cast as the Doctor? Was that fan-favourite character originally meant to star in Flux? And was that pun-tastic rumour really the work of RTD? Take a look at the evidence, then make your own mind up.
10. The BBC Deliberately Leaked Rose
Although 23 November is Doctor Who’s overall anniversary, 26 March is remembered by many as the birthday of the revival.
Except, the show technically returned three weeks earlier, when a copy of Rose turned up online.
This wasn’t just a rough cut, but the entire edited episode, minus the next time trailer and updated theme music. As leaks go, it was pretty huge.
Eventually, the culprit was unmasked as an employee of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (Doctor Who’s Canadian distributor at the time). However, some people weren’t convinced, suggesting that the leak was an elaborate publicity stunt orchestrated by the BBC themselves.
This allegation was so prevalent that the BBC even came out and denied it, saying:
"We did absolutely not authorise any leak of Doctor Who. We would not have gone to all these lengths to track down the perpetrator if we had."
It’s not hard to see why the BBC might have been tempted to do something like this – to prove the Doctor Who revival was big business, to move the narrative away from “wobbly sets”, and to generally get people talking (which it undoubtedly did).
If the BBC really was responsible, we’ll probably never know. But you can't put it past them, they're a sneaky bunch!