Doctor Who fans left heartbroken minutes into festive episode

Nicola Coughlan joined the cast of Doctor Who (Image: BBC)

Doctor Who made a thrilling return to BBC One, featuring Ncuti Gatwa in the beloved lead role. This festive season saw him encountering Joy, played by Nichola Coughlan, who discovered a mysterious passageway to the Time Hotel.

As a sinister scheme played out on Earth just in time for the holiday season, fans were shocked and distraught when a new character met an early demise in the episode.

Devotees of the series expressed their grief over the unexpected death of Joel Fry's character Trev Simpkins, a Time Hotel employee who aided the Doctor on his latest quest. Outcries filled Twitter as fans voiced their dismay.

Viewer @philipmoore_ exclaimed: "Killing Trev... when we just met him? ! Justice for Trev. #DoctorWho".

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Another fan, @Migeman, lamented: "Aww s***, not Trev, he was a good lad. #DoctorWho" while @Spaceyeurotrash expressed their longing: "Feel like s*** just want Trev back as a treat #DoctorWho".

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Trev was killed off minutes into the episode (Image: BBC)

@grace_is_sugoi hoped against hope, tweeting: "Can they just let Trev survive as a treat #DoctorWho" and @Hyukasbabe ruefully shared: "It was my fault for getting attached to Trev #DoctorWho".

The Twitter tribute for the brief but memorable character concluded with a light-hearted farewell from @Spaceyeurotrash: "Rip Trev it was nice knowing you (for like 5 seconds) lol."

Later in the episode, fans could not believe their eyes as Trev returned to help the Doctor from beyond the grave.

In addition to mourning Trev, viewers felt the absence of Ruby Sunday, portrayed by Millie Gibson, who exited the show in the climactic two-part finale titled "Empire of Death".

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Nicola Coughlan and Ncuti Gatwa in the Doctor Who festive special (Image: BBC)

Fan @stitched_moons missed the character deeply, stating: "Missing ruby Sunday like a mf #doctorwho".

And in recognition of a touching nod to the departed character, @THHEBLACKDOG noted: "Not him making Ruby a coffee #DoctorWho" paired with a tearful emoji.

Ruby was later brought up in the episode when a receptionist queried the Doctor: "Who are you not phoning? ".

"Ruby Sunday," he confessed. The receptionist then probed about any issues with Ruby.

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"No problem, just gotta let people get on with their lives," he responded gravely.

@virtualdemigod expressed their delight at the inclusion of Derry Girls star Nicola Coughlan, despite confessing their disappointment over Ruby's exit.

They stated: "I assume we're all upset at no more Ruby Sunday (? ) but honestly I'm too busy going crazy over Nicola Coughlan as a #doctorwho companion."

@rhyssuxx posted: "Whoever decided to cast Nicola Coughlan in an episode of #DoctorWho deserves a knighthood."