TENANT'S BACK?! Doctor Who World EXPLODES Over Shocking Return!

TENANT'S BACK?! Doctor Who World EXPLODES Over Shocking Return!
David Tennant wearing his jacket and tie as Doctor Who.
Have we really seen the last of David Tennant on Doctor Who? (Picture: James Pardon/BBC Studios)

It was revealed on Thursday that David would be sitting down for an episode of The Whoniverse Show to discuss the 20th anniversary of his joining the show for the first time.

TELEVISION PROGRAMME :DOCTOR WHO Christmas Invasion Picture Shows: DAVID TENNANT as The Doctor and Billie Piper as Rose, with SYCORAX BBC ONE: TBC The legendary Time Lord, Doctor Who returns to planet earth for Christmas. Along with established sidekick Rose (Billie Piper), the re-generated Doctor (David Tenant) is once again faced with a battle against evil in a bid to protect planet earth from destruction. From flame-throwing Santas to the evil alien Sycorax, Rose and The Doctor find themselves in one of the hardest battles their friendship has had to endure.. Warning: Use of this copyright image is subject to Terms of Use of BBC Digital Picture Service. In particular, this image may only be used during the publicity period for the purpose of publicising 'Doctor Who' and provided the BBC is credited. Any use of this image on the internet or for any other purpose whatsoever, including advertising or other commercial uses, requires the prior written approval of the BBC.C1_DOCTOR WHO_Dr+Rose2a.jpg
He’s already had stints at the Tenth and Fourteenth Doctors (Picture: BBC)

Whovians don’t need much of an invitation to begin speculating on the future of their favourite show, and this recent appearance from David has given them all the material they need.

On X, user @_uhhhhhhh said: ‘He’s been getting so much attention on the YouTube channel, and now this? 100% the Fourteenth Doctor is coming back for the Xmas special.’

@TheCyberdevil added: ‘I don’t think they paid David Tennant to come into a specially dressed studio just record five minutes of Christmas Invasion reminiscing for the Whoniverse show.’

TELEVISION PROGRAMME: 'DOCTOR WHO' 'Voyage of the Damned' *** Image embargoed for publication until Saturday 8th December 2007 *** Darenote Ltd. Picture shows: (l-r) DAVID TENNANT as The Doctor and KYLIE MINOGUE as Astrid Peth. TX: BBC ONE Tuesday 25th December 2007 WARNING: Use of this copyright image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures BBC Digital Picture Service. In particular, this image may only be published in print for editorial use during the publicity period (the weeks immediately leading up to and including the transmission week of the relevant programme or event and three review weeks following) for the purpose of publicising the programme, person or service pictured and provided the BBC and the copyright holder in the caption are credited. Any use of this image on the internet and other online communication services will require a separate prior agreement with BBC Pictures. For any other purpose whatsoever, including advertising and commercial prior written approval from the copyright holder will be required.
David was marking 20 years since his introduction to Doctor Who (Picture: BBC)

What does Metro's Doctor Who expert make of these rumours?

Asyia Iftikharsays:‘Look, I love David Tennant as much as the next Whovian, but after making a big song and dance of closing his chapter with the 60th anniversary special, it would feel surface-level and slightly desperate to bring him back yet again for the 2026 Christmas special.

I can see the logic of it. If Billie Piper really does return as the Doctor, then in some ways it would make sense to manufacture a meeting between her and 14, given the nostalgia of it all.

But it’s 2026, not 2006. After attempting to do a hard reset with Disney with Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor, the show needs to fully commit to moving on so it can bring in fresh audiences and gain a new lease of life instead of relying on the ‘good ol’ times’ as a crutch.

Both David and Russell have said in the past that he won’t make another return, so I can only hope they stick to their word and leave the past in the past.’

@Why_of_Who was 1% less sure than other fans: ‘I’m 99% sure Tennant is coming back next year, but if any New Who Doctor actor was gonna do this kind of video for free, it’s Tennant.’

@Chuchitzu tried to remain calm: ‘David’s been a Whovian since he was a little child. I really think he would say yes in a heartbeat to anything regarding Doctor Who. I do think he’s coming back again, though.’

It has been confirmed that Doctor Who will return for a Christmas special in 2026, and it’s incredibly likely that Billie Piper will be involved, but there’s no word yet on whether David will be joining her.

Whether David will make any future appearances in Doctor Who is obviously not yet confirmed, but an old appearance of his may finally be available to the public soon.

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An unreleased Doctor Who episode from the 2000s, titled The Suicide Exhibition, may be released in audio format 17 years after being shelved.

The scrapped episode had been penned for David Tennant’s run as the Tenth Doctor, but was replaced by classic Whovian episode The Fires of Pompeii.

The episode was intended for the 2008 series, with Gatiss previously saying that it had been ‘on the verge of production for a while’. Now, it could finally make its way to the avid Whovians in audio form.

When asked about the episode by the Radio Times, Gatiss confirmed he still has a copy of the script, adding: ‘It’s rather good, I think. Big Finish has expressed an interest. It’s all gone very quiet, though. I’m waiting for that emergency phone call!’

Metro has reached out to David Tennant and the BBC

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Category Entertainment
Published Dec 19, 2025
Last Updated 1 hour ago