The following article contains discussions of sexually inappropriate behavior towards children.
One 2006 episode ofDoctor Whohas returned to BBC iPlayer after its removal last year. The episode, starring David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor and Billie Piper as his companion Rose Tyler, centers on mysterious disappearances linked to a young girl’s possessed drawings during the 2012 London Olympics.Doctor Whoseason 2, episode 11, “Fear Her,“was initially taken down in August 2024 due to Huw Edwards' cameo as a newsreader, following his guilty plea to charges involving indecent images of children.
As reported byRadioTimes.com, theDoctor Whoepisode “Fear Her” is now back on BBC iPlayer. However, itnow features actor Becky Wright replacing expelled newsreader Huw Edwards in several scenes. In the revised version, Wright, known for her work onDoctor Whoaudio dramas, provides new narration for the news segments originally featuring Edwards. The main storyline remains unchanged, but specific dialogues have been updated to reflect this casting alteration.
What The Return Of “Fear Her” Means
Revisiting The Past With A New Voice
The reintroduction oftheDoctor Whoseason 2 censored episodehighlights the BBC’s approachto preserving its archive while addressing ethical concerns. Edwards' past role as a news anchor forBBC News At Tenlegitimized his presence in the original episode, which aired at least a decade before his disgraced career. However, given the severity of the charges against him, the BBC removed the episode and distanced themselves from his involvement, andnow they’ve found a way for the story to remain.
10 Doctor Who Companions Whose Best Stories Happened After Leaving The TARDIS
Whether it’s on or off-screen, some Doctor Who companions' best stories happen after they decide to depart the TARDIS and say goodbye to their Doctor.
In the original broadcast, Edwards appeared as himself, briefly presentingBBC Newscoverage of the mysterious vanishings.His lines have now been entirely replaced by Wright, a voice actor who worked on variousDoctor Whopodcasts. Wright also works extensively with Big Finish Productions, the company behind numerousDoctor Whoaudios,making her a natural choice to seamlessly restore the episode. Her performance ensures that “Fear Her” remains part of theDoctor Whocatalog without the problematic association of its original broadcast.
Our Take On The Updated “Fear Her” Episode
Balancing Preservation And Progress
The BBC’s decision to re-edit and reinstate “Fear Her” is a thoughtful approach to content management. By replacing Edward, the network can acknowledge its past oversights while ensuring thata classic David TennantDoctor Whoepisoderemains accessible to viewers. Wright’s redub is a smart choice given her experience as a voice actor and her past work in the Extended Universe. Ultimately, this move respects the legacy ofDoctor Whowhile ensuring that a problematic figure is no longer associated with it or given a platform.
