Heartstopper and Doctor Who fans celebrate David Tennant cameo as worlds collide

The 2006 episode of the long-running sci-fi featured David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor and Catherine Tate as Donna Noble, marking the introduction of Tate's companion after she appears in the Christmas episode in the TARDIS, wearing a wedding dress.

While the Heartstopper scene in question was only fleeting, fans have taken to the inclusion of the sci-fi series with one fan writing on X: "Screamed so loud, they're watching the David Tennant Doctor Who ep for Christmas, this is everything."

Another wrote: "As a Whovian, this warms my heart" while another fan admitted they were "so excited [they] literally had to pause for a minute to process".

It's an especially fitting inclusion in the new season of Heartstopper after series star Yasmin Finney appeared in the latest Doctor Who episodes as Donna Noble's daughter, Rose.

The trailer for Doctor Who's Christmas 2024 special also confirmed the return of Finney's Rose, with showrunner Russell T Davies saying of her role: "She’s absolutely terrific, and she has more appearances to come, simply because I adore working with her."

Read more:

• Joe Locke on Heartstopper season 3, filming sex scenes and famous fans
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• Heartstopper's Alice Oseman opens up on tackling sex and mental health in season 3

But the parallels don't stop there, as fans of the original Alice Oseman graphic novels have noted that Nick was always written as having a crush on David Tennant. So, fans of the comics will undoubtedly be happy at the series inclusion.

In a recent interview on the Radio Times Podcast, Kit Connor also revealed his favourite Doctor Who era and you guessed it, it just so happens to be Tennant's years at the helm of the series.

Connor said: "I have a couple things that I've probably watched a lot. I don't know if people know this, but like Doctor Who was something that I grew up on.

"I will often re-watch the David Tennant years. I like Matt Smith as well, so I will often like go into that as well. But yeah, it's the David Tennant era for me."

The third season of Heartstopper continues the love story between Nick and Charlie as they navigate all the highs and lows of being a teenager.

As per the official synopsis for season 3: "Charlie would like to tell Nick that he loves him. Nick also has something important to say to Charlie. As the summer holiday ends and the months race on, the friends begin to realise that the school year will come with both its joys and its challenges.

"As they learn more about each other and their relationships, plan social events and parties and start thinking about university choices, everyone must learn to lean on those they love when life doesn't go to plan."

You can listen to the Radio Times Podcast with the stars and creator of Heartstopper now.

Heartstopper season 3 is now available to stream on Netflix. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.

Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.