Bringing back the most popular Doctor Who actor in recent history could be just what the show needs right now.

With Ncuti Gatwa reportedly leaving Doctor Who amid backlash about its “woke” direction and falling ratings, the show would appear to be at something of a crossroads.

As a huge fan of the programme, this concerns me because the BBC has been known to make rash decisions about the show in the past. They cancelled it back in 1989, and it would be 16 years before we saw it again.

In this case, though, there would appear to be a simple fix: bring back the hugely popular David Tennant to once again helm the show.

It is not as ridiculous an idea as it sounds – even the bookies agree with me, and he is currently 5/1 to reprise the role if rumours of Ncuti’s departure are true.

Thanks to the concept of bi-generation, which featured in the 60th-anniversary specials last year, David’s 14th Doctor is known to be alive and well and living a quiet life with former companion Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) and her family, meaning he could, in theory, pop back to the show at any time.

READ MORE: Jodie Whittaker says playing Time Lord ‘knocked 15 years off me’

Ncuti Gatwa’s second full season playing The Doctor will air later this year (Image: BBC)

Ncuti, 32, only joined the show in 2023; however, on Monday, it was claimed he had already filmed his regeneration exit scene. If this is the case, his tenure would be one of the shortest in the show’s modern era, beaten only by Christopher Eccleston, who departed after one season.

Meanwhile, David truly established himself in the role of playing the 10th incarnation of the Doctor from 2005 to 2010 before returning to the show in 2023 as the 14th version.

While the BBC has denied rumors that the long-running sci-fi drama is set to be axed , the fact remains that despite Russell T Davis’s return to helm the show and a £100million deal with Disney, viewing figures have declined.

Only one full series of Ncuti’s take on the Time Lord has aired so far with viewing figures ranging between 2.25million and 3.18million viewers. That is in sharp contrast to the 13.31 million people who tuned into the 2007 Christmas special Voyage of the Damned, which starred David as The Doctor.

Even David’s recent return in October 2023 garnered far higher figures averaging 8.19 million viewers per episode. This was close to the 8.36 million average viewers he had during his original run on the show. These episodes are recent enough to indicate that the interest in the show is there if the formula is right.

David Tennant has played both the 10th and 14th incarnations of Doctor Who (Image: BBC)

The role follows him everywhere he goes and it his possible return to the part is a running joke so why not make it a reality. I’m not alone in thinking this. According to betideas.com he is 5/1 to become the permanent replacement for Ncuti, placing him third in the betting.

The Crown star Josh O’Connor, who has also been linked with the role of James Bond is favourite at 2/1, with Jack Lowden at 4/1. Richard Armitage completes the top four at 7/1.

Lee Astley, spokesperson for betideas.com, said: “Ncuti Gatwa’s tenure as Dr Who appears to be coming to a premature end and we reckon there’s a firm chance the BBC turn to David Tennant once again to try and steer the series back on track.

“Tennant is arguably the most-loved Doctor in the programme’s history and is 5/1 to replace Gatwa on a full-time basis after his cameos in 2023, placing him behind only Josh O’Connor and Jack Lowden in the betting.”

Aside from being hugely popular in the role David is a much loved personality – indeed he is practically a national treasure. The BBC could do worse than bring him back for a third run at the role.