A DOCTOR WHO actress has shared her joy after the Tardis received an upgrade ahead of the highly anticipated return of the show.
Ruth Madeley shared her excitement yesterday, after a wheelchair ramp was added to the Tardis in preparation for the new series starring Ncuti Gatwa.
The 36-year-old from Greater Manchester who has been cast as Shirley Anne Bingham in the much-loved sci-fi show was born with spina bifida and relies on a wheelchair for mobility.
The third installment of the show’s 60th anniversary special last week showed that the Tardis had been upgraded with new features including a ramp for those who require it.
The show has been well-known for its inclusivity in the past including previously identifying former companion Donna Noble as having a transgender daughter.
Madeley took to social media yesterday, to share her excitement, writing: “For every disabled kid who couldn’t get into the Tardis, this ramp is forever yours.”
The post received 39,000 likes, 364 comments as many fans shared their support for the popular show’s inclusivity.
One person wrote: “This was just beautiful, as were the lines referencing the fact that you do actually have limited use of your legs.
“Russell and you clearly anticipated the ludicrous furore over Shirley Anne crossing her legs in The Star Beast.”
Another said: “This is great and I hope it means your brilliant character is going to feature a lot more in the future – she’s great – and it’s always good to have a northern voice in the Tardis.”
A third commented: “This made my wife and I so happy. I have spent a little time in the wheelchair and know how difficult accessibility is there.
“Now, we just need a blind companion and a screen reader, for the controls of the Tardis.”
A fourth added: “This gives me immense happiness, seeing that I’m visually disabled and now we have an accessible Tardis.”
A fifth wrote: “When I sometimes catch myself thinking something is ‘too PC’ in a tv show, I think about posts like this where people are thrilled to finally feel seen and represented because ultimately that’s what matters. This also means Shirley can be in here travelling with The Doctor.”
Doctor Who began on 23 November 1963 and has been broadcast on the BBC for the entirety of the show’s six decades which focus on Timelord The Doctor, whose full backstory is yet to be determined.
There have been an incredible 15 regenerations in which The Doctor’s body has changed into a new form.
The latest regeneration is played by Scots-Rawandan actor Ncuti Gatwa. The 31 year-old began his acting career at the Dundee Repertory Theatre.
He has since become well-known for his character roles in Sex Education, the Barbie movie and A Man Called Otto.
