BBC's iconic sci-fi series, Doctor Who has once again intertwined its narrative with the charming county of Gloucestershire. The latest mention came in the form of a nod to the town of Cheltenham during the special episode aired on BBC One on the night of December 9th, 2023.

This episode, titled 'The Giggle', was the final instalment in the trilogy celebrating the show's 60th anniversary. It notably featured the return of the 10th Doctor, portrayed by David Tennant, along with his companion Donna Noble, played by Catherine Tate.

The episode commenced in the setting of a toymaker's shop in Soho, London, circa 1925, where the malevolent Toymaker, played by Neil Patrick Harris, was introduced. A young apprentice of television pioneer John Logie Baird enters the shop, seeking a doll for the inventor's groundbreaking television experiments. Upon receiving a racially insensitive remark from the Toymaker, the apprentice, Charles Banerjee (Charlie de Melo), retorts that he was born in Cheltenham, marking the town's mention in the episode.

Doctor Who's connection with Gloucestershire isn't new. Fans of the series would recall that the Daleks invaded GCHQ in Cheltenham in the New Year's Day special aired in 2019. Moreover, the 13th Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) implied in the 2018 episode 'Rosa' that she was the elusive street artist Banksy, who is renowned for his 'Spy Booth' mural located in the Fairview area of Cheltenham.

Gloucester, another town in Gloucestershire, also shares a history with the show. David Tennant shot the 2008 Christmas special episode 'The Next Doctor' at Gloucester Cathedral. Whittaker, too, filmed around the Cathedral and interacted with fans in 2019 for the monumental 'Fugitive of the Judoon' episode.

The 60th-anniversary special trilogy marked a significant transition in the series. Tennant, who originally portrayed the 10th Doctor, reprised his role for three episodes as the 14th Doctor, sharing the screen with Catherine Tate. In the concluding episode, 'The Giggle', the audience saw the debut of Ncuti Gatwa, who has taken over from Tennant in the lead role.

In this episode, the Toymaker splits the Doctor into two, leading to Gatwa's entrance. Later, Gatwa divides the Tardis into two and embarks on a solo journey. The episode concludes with the words "destination Christmas" appearing on the screen, hinting at upcoming festive adventures.

Doctor Who's subtle integration of Gloucestershire into its narrative serves as a testament to the show's enduring popularity and its ability to incorporate real-world elements into its fantastical universe. As the series moves forward under Gatwa's stewardship, fans can look forward to more thrilling adventures, possibly featuring more references to their favourite locations.

You can catch up on Doctor Who episodes on BBC iPlayer.

(Source: Gloucestershire Live)

Summary:

The BBC series Doctor Who, known for its nods to real-world locations, recently highlighted Gloucestershire once again in its narrative. The town of Cheltenham was mentioned in the latest episode, titled 'The Giggle', which marked the end of a trilogy celebrating the show's 60th anniversary and featured the return of David Tennant as the 10th Doctor. The series has a history with Gloucestershire, with previous episodes mentioning the Daleks invading GCHQ in Cheltenham and scenes being shot at Gloucester Cathedral. The anniversary trilogy also introduced Ncuti Gatwa as the new Doctor, following Tennant's departure. The show's incorporation of Gloucestershire into its storyline underscores its enduring popularity and its talent for blending reality with its fantastical universe.