Doctor Who fans go wild for double Strictly Come Dancing cameo
Shirley Ballas and Johannes Radebe briefly appeared in 'The Devil's Chord'.
What did you miss?
Doctor Who viewers were blown away by a quick double cameo from Strictly Come Dancing favourites Shirley Ballas and Johannes Radebe on Saturday evening.
In the second of two episodes premiering on BBC One, titled 'The Devil's Chord', the ballroom dancers could be seen strutting their stuff in the showstopping musical number after Maestro's demise, with the Time Lord himself (played by Ncuti Gatwa) and companion Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) right there in the thick of it too.
As this glorious sequence unfolded, the Doctor Who viewers made sure to voice their surprise over on social media.
What, how and why?
As Maestro's world-ending grip on musical expression faded away thanks to The Beatles, the villain was forced back into their piano prison, but not before teasing the imminent arrival of The One Who Waits.
However, this warning seemed to merely bounce off the buoyant Doctor and Ruby, who took to the roof of Abbey Road Studios to enjoy the sound of the city's music.
"There is one thing that I should warn you about Ruby, and this is really very serious," said the Doctor. "With all my adventures through time and space, I have to tell you, there's always a twist at the end [wink to the camera]."
Cue a massive Grease-esque ensemble piece with the unshackled human race now fully able to express themselves. The camera proceeded to glide through all manner of dance choreography, stopping at Ballas (a.k.a 'The Queen of Latin') and Radebe (hidden beneath a wig) in a corridor getting down to the rhythm with our two time-travelling heroes.
How did Doctor Who fans react on social media?
These 10 seconds of Strictly stardust seemed to go down an absolute treat with Doctor Who fans on social media platform X, and you can check out many of the responses below. Among the comments, one person wrote: "Ncuti, Millie, the music, the dancing, Shirley and Johannes, I love this."
Another person wrote: "Its never too early for a twist from Shirley."
Ncuti, Millie, the music, the dancing, Shirley and Johannes, I love this 😭 #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/Y7iDhqKqMg
— Cam (@flashsmyers) May 11, 2024
Shirley Ballas and Johannes Radebe off Strictly?! #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/AmJjU09opV
— Steph Hulme (@hulme_steph) May 11, 2024
What a suprise that was to see Johannes redebe and Shirley ballas in the last dance scene in abbey road #DoctorWho
— jane Graham (@Janeg6744Graham) May 11, 2024
Do my eyes deceive me?? Did I just see Johannes and Shirley doing the twist???
😭😭😭
Depression? It’s just been cured mate!#DoctorWho— A.Angels (@AAngels05) May 11, 2024
When worlds collide Strictly with the fabulous @jojo_radebe and Shirley and #DoctorWho excellent combo
— Jen B 💛💙 (@mrsjbutler) May 11, 2024
Well, I only watch #DoctorWho as the other half likes it but both episodes tonight have been insanely good. Don't usually like it but I have tonight given the weirdness of them.
Love how the last bit had Shirley & Johannes dancing in it too 😂— Siân Patrick (@sianpatrick) May 11, 2024
Hold up! Was that Shirley and Johannes? 😱 #DoctorWho
— it’s always been you and me (@TheTrueCalliope) May 11, 2024
Its never too early for a twist from Shirley #DoctorWho
— Jeanpickle (@jean501) May 11, 2024
Ballas herself celebrated their appearance once the episode had ended, too. "Did you spot us?" Asked Ballas on social media.
Did you spot us ? 💙💃🏻 @jojo_radebe @bbcdoctorwho @BBCiPlayer #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/i8LZ8bDVrH
— Shirley Ballas (@ShirleyBallas) May 11, 2024
Doctor Who continues next Saturday (18 May) on BBC One.