Doctor Who: 8 News Stories That Never Die
We're all stories in the end. Make sure it's a readily repeatable, clickbaity one...
With the 'Hugh Grant as the next Doctor' story back in the news yet again, it's a good time to look back at some of the other recurring Doctor Who news stories.
If you report that Hugh Grant is the next Doctor Who enough times then eventually you'll be correct. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day and all that. Doctor Who has long been a way to guarantee clicks and sell newspapers, with some news outlets even tying the horrific events in Ukraine back to the show by focusing on a fan who had to leave their collection behind in Kyiv.
Certain news stories have dogged the show for years, and will likely to continue to do so for the next six decades. 50 years from now, the rumours that Kris Marshall will be playing the next Doctor Who will be beamed directly into your brain via an inbuilt chip.
So what are these reappearing stories? When, if ever, have they been true? And, more importantly, how much of these stories are simply made up for the heck of it?
8. Danny Dyer IS the Doctor
When it was announced that Peter Capaldi would be stepping down from the role of the Doctor, rumours began circulating as to who would be the next incarnation, ahead of the announcement of Jodie Whittaker at Wimbledon. One of those names was actor, podcaster, game show host and proper royalty, Danny Dyer.
At the time, Dyer was quoted in the Daily Star as saying that:
"I could see myself in the scarf and all that. [...] I'd keep my accent, too."
Now that Whittaker is leaving the TARDIS, rumours of Dyer's casting began circulating again in light of his upcoming departure from the popular soap opera EastEnders. It was idle speculation, and while Dyer has a lot of talent, he's not really Doctor material. He should definitely be in the show at some point however, perhaps as the son of the Doctor's roguish, mercenary acquaintance Sabalom Glitz.
As the press speculate about a "Marvel-style" take on the show, what better project for Dyer than a Doctor Who spin-off about an intergalactic ducker and diver? Son Of A Glitz, coming to BBC1 in 2024. You heard it here first.