Doctor Who fans call for John Bishop's return after Russell T Davies snap

Taking to Instagram, Davies shared his excitement that he and Doctor Who producer Phil Collinson had bumped into Bishop, writing: "Phil and I met John Bishop! Dan!!! ????♥️ @bbcdoctorwho @philcollinson @johnbish100."

The official Doctor Who Instagram account commented: "You could say you 'wok'd right into him!"

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Meanwhile, plenty of fans called for a return for Dan, with one writing: "I'd love an evil dan rtd episode."

Another said: "Genuinely deserves some sort of re-appearance. His exit was dismal for his character unfortunately. John is a legend ????????."

One more added: "Bring him back, please, im begging ????????."

Bishop's Dan was written out of Doctor Who in last year's The Power of the Doctor, which bid farewell to Whittaker's Thirteenth Doctor.

He had a reduced role in the episode, with the character deciding early on that his adventures in the TARDIS should end.

After a clash with the nefarious CyberMasters, on top of a speeding bullet train, Dan is left shaken by a near death experience and tells his friends that he wants to remain on Earth.

"I was one hand away from flying off into space and suffocating – I don't want to push me luck any further," Dan explains.

"I mean, all this... all this is amazing, and I've had the most incredible time. But it's not my life – and my life's far from perfect, but I need to get back to it. I need to attack it. And I can now, 'cause I've been with you."

Fans had mixed reactions to the exit - but it's clear many of them would love to see him back.

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