Eleventh Doctor actor, Matt Smith, has said that he always keeps updated with the world of Doctor Who and has given new Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa, his seal of approval.

On the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme at the start of February, Smith said:

“I always keep my eye on Doctor Who. I think [Ncuti’s] great; he’s totally made for it. I dropped him a line and said ‘well done’.”

He’s previously said that Gatwa is “the most sensational bit of casting”.

Oh, and in case you missed it, Steven Moffat — the former showrunner who cast Smith as the Doctor — has been confirmed as writing an episode of Series 14.

Smith left Doctor Who in 2013 — though cameoed in Peter Capaldi’s first episode, Deep Breath, in 2014 — but has continued to be a great ambassador for the series, enthusing about the role and the programme time and time again. So getting Smith’s thumbs-up is certainly a good omen!

Gatwa debuted last year, in The Giggle, a decade after Matt departed the series, co-starring with Fourteenth Doctor actor, David Tennant, before going off on his own adventures with Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) in the Christmas special, The Church on Ruby Road.

And, as there’s talk that Gibson has a crush on Matt, we reckon she’ll be pleased to hear Smith still watches the programme. As if there were ever any doubt.

Doctor Who returns to screens in May 2024.