Don’t proceed any further if you’ve yet to watch Twice Upon A Time – because right now, we’re looking at the surprise return of Nardole. And it really was a surprise… if not to the audience, then certainly to actor, Matt Lucas!
The Little Britain star revealed as much in a behind-the-scenes video recently posted by the BBC.

Of course, it wasn’t the real Nardole. Or was it? It was actually a gestalt of memories, and a man, as we all know, is the sum of his memories, a reconstructed robot-alien-hybrid even more so. Maybe this was Nardole after all, apparently dead, alongside the wonderful Bill Potts (Pearl Mackie). Either way, it was a lovely treat to see Nardy again after his exit in The Doctor Falls.
But as the clip above reveals, he didn’t know he’d be around this Christmas. He says:

“I was very surprised because I’d been told I wasn’t in this year’s Christmas special, just like I was told I wasn’t in last year’s Christmas special [The Return of Doctor Mysterio]. I was chuffed to bits that I got to work with Peter Capaldi again.”

Then he jokes:

“Pearl Mackie I really wasn’t fussed about.”

Nardole debuted in The Husbands of River Song in 2015 – can you believe it was that long ago?! – and returned for Doctor Who Series 10. Peter, Pearl, and Matt proved to be a wonderful TARDIS team, one of the best of NuWho (alongside the Eleventh Doctor, Amy Pond, and Rory Williams).
Ah, they will be missed.
Were you happy to see Nardole return? How much would you pay Big Finish to get the trio back together for some new adventures?