Comic Relief 2023 sees Lenny Henry regenerate into David Tennant

Brenna Cooper
·2 min read
london, united kingdom march 2023 actors david tennant l and lenny henry pose for a portrait behind the scenes of a doctor who sketch for red nose day 2023 on march 3, 2023 in london,england photo by david emerybbccomic relief via getty images
Lenny Henry regenerates into David TennantComic Relief - Getty Images
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BBC's Comic Relief 2023 coverage (March 17) saw Sir Lenny Henry regenerate into David Tennant in the night's opening sketch.

In the clip, an assistant can be seen knocking on Henry's dressing room door, with the actor and TV presenter having been taken unwell moments before he was set to go on-air.

"I've got to stop having them all you can eat hotel breakfasts," he said while in visible pain.

"What I need is a Doctor," he added, before becoming engulfed in the iconic glow seen when a Time Lord regenerates.

london, united kingdom march 2023 actors david tennant l and lenny henry pose for a portrait behind the scenes of a doctor who sketch for red nose day 2023 on march 3, 2023 in london,england photo by david emerybbccomic relief via getty images
Comic Relief - Getty Images

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He then transforms into the The Fourteenth Doctor, with Tennant appearing in his new Doctor Who costume, ahead of his return to the sci-fi series for this year's 60th anniversary specials.

"I know these teeth," Tennant said, before he realised that he was now in charge of hosting duties.

"I'm going to be hosting Comic Relief?" he added, before running out of the dressing room.

Moments later, Tennant was then seen on stage, swapping his costume for a red and black suit as he explained why Lenny Henry was absent from the show.

"For the first time in Comic Relief’s history, we are flying without our captain, Sir Lenny Henry. He is in the thick of another project, but before he regenerated, he did make a little film for us," the actor said.

doctor who 60th anniversary, david tennant as the doctor
BBC

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Despite Henry's absence from the show, viewers were amused at Tennant's introduction, giving their verdict on social media.

"BBC counting how many actors they get to regenerate into David Tennant," one user joked, while another speculated whether Lenny Henry as a time-lord was now canon.

Doctor Who returns later in 2023 on BBC One in the UK and Disney+ elsewhere. Meanwhile, in the US, the show airs on BBC America, with series 1-12 available on HBO Max. Classic Doctor Who streams on BritBox in the UK.


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