From BBC.com ...
Comedian John Bishop joins Doctor Who cast
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Comedian John Bishop is to join Jodie Whittaker for the 13th series
of Doctor Who, the BBC has revealed.
The 54-year-old, who recently tested positive for coronavirus, said
boarding the Tardis was a "dream come true".
He will play a character called Dan, who "becomes embroiled in the
Doctor's adventures" and faces "evil alien races beyond his wildest
nightmares".
Bishop fills the gap left by Bradley Walsh and Tosin Cole, who
bowed out in a special New Year's Day episode.
He began filming his role last November, but the BBC kept the
signing under wraps until the broadcast of Revolution Of The Daleks
on Friday night.
Bishop, who grew up on a Merseyside council estate, had a brief
career as a professional footballer before turning his hand to
comedy.
He has previously acted in the Channel 4 drama Skins and the Ken
Loach film Route Irish.
Earlier this week, the comedian revealed that he and his wife had
tested positive for Coronavirus over Christmas, saying he had been
"flattened" by "the worst illness I have ever had".
Writing on Instagram, he described his symptoms as including
"incredible headaches, muscle and joint point, no appetite,
nausea, dizziness [and] chronic fatigue like I didn't know
existed".
He updated fans on New Year's Eve, saying he and his wife were
"getting a little stronger" every day, and promising he would
return to work in January.
johnbish100
This came through on Christmas Day. This has been
the worst illness I have ever had. Incredible
headaches, muscle and joint point, no appetite,
nausea, dizziness, chronic fatigue like I didn't
know existed . My wife and I are fit non smokers
and this has wiped us out . I know statistics
suggest a 99.9% survival rate but that doesn't
mean I would wish this experience on anyone .
Keep Safe
It is not thought his illness will disrupt production on Doctor
Who. The show is on a scheduled break for Christmas and not due
to resume filming until later this month.
The 13th series of the rebooted sci-fi stalwart will see Whittaker
return as the extra terrestrial Time Lord, alongside Mandip Gill,
who returns as Yaz.
In a statement, Bishop said: "If I could tell my younger self that
one day I would be asked to step on board the Tardis, I would
never have believed it.
"It's an absolute dream come true to be joining Doctor Who and
I couldn't wish for better company than Jodie and Mandip."
Programme boss Chris Chibnall added: "It's time for the next
chapter of Doctor Who, and it starts with a man called Dan. Oh,
we've had to keep this one secret for a long, long time.
"Our conversations started with John even before the pandemic hit.
"The character of Dan was built for him, and it's a joy to have
him aboard the Tardis."
Doctor Who will return to BBC One later this year.
<https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-55509582>
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