Doctor Who fans are set to get a festive fix of the Time Lord as Christopher Eccleston and Carole Ann Ford star together for the first time in The Ninth Doctor Adventures: The Wash, a special full-cast audio drama streaming free on the official Doctor Who YouTube channel this Christmas.
Carole previously played the Doctor's granddaughter Susan in the very first episodes of the long-running sci-fi drama. The pair have been brought together by Big Finish Productions for an audio adventure called The Wash, which will be available to listen to on the official BBC Doctor Who YouTube channel on December 22.
How the Special Came Together
A source told Express.co.uk: "Christopher and Carole Ann first met at a convention and had wanted to do something together. This gave them the opportunity and was recorded before the BBC had to cancel their planned special."
"It was then suggested this might fill the void and the BBC thought it was a great idea and are running it on their channel. It isn't an official Christmas special but it is the next best thing."
Christopher Eccleston never got to do a festive episode because his Doctor regenerated just beforehand, so it is finally giving him that opportunity. "It is a really great story and fans are going to love it," the source added.
Story and Cast Reactions
Written by Robert Valentine, the episode sees the Doctor head to a launderette on the Powell Estate called The Wash Inn as he tries to avoid Rose and Jackie Tyler's early Christmas preparations. He is being haunted by the memory of his granddaughter, Susan, but also has other problems as a terrible force lurks in an innocent washing machine.
Speaking about the episode, Christopher said: "This was a brilliant, really outstanding script, I thought. I love that notion that as we go through our lives, particularly if you're a Time Lord, everybody you meet remains with you."
"And working with Carole was really exciting. I'd been looking forward to it. I think that An Unearthly Child is the greatest episode ever made – when I made the TV series, that was the one I watched as inspiration. And she's a pro, she was absolutely brilliant – a real honour."
For her part Carole Ann added: "Acting opposite Chris was wonderful, marvellous. It's such a strong story. Susan pushes this Doctor to try and sort himself out and not be so touchy with people. I think listeners will be cheering Susan on!"
Release Details and Background
The Wash will stream live on the official Doctor Who YouTube channel on Tuesday, December 22, and will remain free to stream for one month afterwards. It will also be available to buy as a collectors edition CD with a series of extras included.
In January the BBC confirmed that the planned Christmas special had been scrapped, acknowledging that it would be "disappointing" for fans and that the decision to cancel the episode "was not taken lightly".
A statement said: "As part of securing the next phase of the show for future generations, and in line with the BBC's Charter and Agreement requirements, the BBC will put Doctor Who out to competitive tender this year. Doctor Who remains an important part of the BBC, and this tender underpins the BBC's continued commitment to Doctor Who, ensuring audiences will enjoy the show for years to come."
"After careful consideration, the BBC, Russell T Davies, and Bad Wolf have collectively decided not to go ahead with the previously announced Doctor Who Christmas episode. This decision was not taken lightly, and we know it will be disappointing for fans, but in order to set the show up for future series, it was decided that rather than bridge the gap with a one off special, we are choosing to push forward to invest in the long-term future of the show which ensures that when the TARDIS lands once more, it does so in all its glory."
Showrunner Russell T Davies has also revealed his departure, telling fans on Instagram: "And so GOODBYE from me to Doctor Who but HELLO to a big new future for the show, as the BBC announces it's putting the show out to tender."
