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Here’s why everybody was talking about Benedict Cumberbatch, Christopher Eccleston and Doctor Who this week

Here’s why everybody was talking about Benedict Cumberbatch, Christopher Eccleston and Doctor Who this week

From a little teapot to a new-look Doctor Who, here's what YOU had to say about the week's biggest TV and entertainment stories

Benedict Cumberbatch, Jodie Whittaker and Christopher Eccleston

Published: Saturday, 24 February 2018 at 10:00 am

Check out the biggest entertainment stories and the best TV talking points from the past seven days...

Viewers celebrate Lizzie Yarnold's Winter Olympics gold medal for Team GB

It was a Super Saturday in PyeongChang, with Lizzie Yarnold and Laura Deas taking gold and bronze in the Skeleton and skier Izzy Atkin winning Team GB’s first ever Winter Olympics medal for skiing.

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The double victory in the Skeleton marked the first time in Winter Olympic history that Team GB athletes had finished within the top three in the same event.

"Well done Lizzie and Laura, just sorry for Elise," wrote Pat Millard on Facebook – Elise Christie's nasty collision meant more heartbreak for the short track speed skater.

Get the full story: Lizzie Yarnold wins Team GB's first gold medal at 2018 Winter Olympics
If you like this you’ll love: Izzy Atkin wins Team GB's first ever Winter Olympics skiing medal

John Cleese's new sitcom wasn't an instant hit with viewers

Hold The Sunset made its debut on Sunday night on BBC1. More than 6 million people tuned in on Sunday night but online viewer reviews for the Monty Python star’s new show were decidedly mixed.

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The comedy stars Alison Steadman as a retired woman (Edith) who accepts a marriage proposal from her neighbour, Phil, (Cleese) – their plan is to sell their houses and start a new life in the sun. The brilliant cast (Peter Egan, Jason Watkins and Rosie Cavaliero also star), however, couldn’t save it from some rather disappointed reactions from viewers.

"Alison Steadman, John Cleese, and Peter Egan should have made this a good show to watch, but oh what a disappointment. It wasn't funny, and we stuck it out until the end, in the hope it would get better, but it was boring," wrote Diane Dorward on Facebook.

Get the full story: 6m watch John Cleese comeback sitcom Hold the Sunset but the reviews are mixed
If you like this you’ll love: Meet the cast of Hold The Sunset

The BAFTAs were dominated by Three Billboards and Time's Up

New host Joanna Lumley took to the stage for what was to be a rather serious ceremony, dominated by Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (which took home five awards) and the Time's Up movement.

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More than 190 stars signed an open letter before the ceremony, calling for an end to abuse and inequality across the industry and beyond.

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And they showed their support for the Time's Up movement on the red carpet by dressing in black for the occasion.

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Get the full story: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri dominates Time's Up themed BAFTA Awards
If you like this you’ll love: Bafta Film Awards 2018 as it happened
PLUS: Jennifer Lawrence explains "inside joke" with Joanna Lumley that infuriated Bafta viewers

A sneak peek at Jenna Coleman's next role had viewers very excited

The Doctor Who and Victoria actor stars as young mother Joanna, who travels from Scotland to Australia with her husband Alistair (Ewen Leslie) and young child, to help him gain custody of his daughter from his ex-wife (played by Asher Keddie).

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However, when their newborn baby is abducted from a small coastal town in Australia the unthinkable tragedy breaks the family apart.

"I'm counting the days," said Walkerita Sullivan on Instagram. "She will be mind-blowing."

Get the full story: First look at Jenna Coleman as a grieving mother in BBC psychological thriller The Cry
If you like this you’ll love: Jenna Coleman's had a major makeover for new BBC drama The Cry

Marvel's decision to recognise Wales as an independent nation went down well

You can see the Welsh flag hanging alongside those of the United States, the Netherlands, Japan and others during T’Challa’s (Chadwick Boseman) grand reveal of Wakanda’s true status in the film’s first post-credits scene, putting Wales on a par with the biggest countries in the world.

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"This is huge" wrote Lou Nievas on Facebook. "I want to see Michael Sheen as Captain Cymru!"

Get the full story: Wales has been recognised as an independent sovereign state – but only in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
If you like this you’ll love: Black Panther director Ryan Coogler says he was "moved to tears" by reaction to movie in letter to fans

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Fans said a fond farewell to Emmerdale's Freddie Jones

Soap star Jones bowed out after 12 years in the role of Emmerdale's Sandy Thomas. The 90-year-old actor told Radio Times that he couldn't "justify staying, even though Emmerdale was very generous in asking me to".

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"Farewell Freddie. You did the Sandy proud," wrote Lynn Shirley. "Now go and enjoy whatever is next."

Get the full story: 90-year-old actor Freddie Jones explains why now is the right time to leave Emmerdale
If you like this you’ll love: Emmerdale: Robron reunite! Danny Miller and Ryan Hawley reveal what happens next

The new-look Doctor Who logo was a big hit

“The new Doctor Who logo is beautiful. I’m crying. This new era is going to be incredible,” wrote one very excited fan on Twitter as the BBC revealed a brand new look for the sci-fi series.

It had a radical redesign ahead of Jodie Whittaker’s debut as the Thirteenth Doctor, producing a sleek and stylish new logo, poster and insignia to usher in series 11.

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“I love it! I think it’s perfect,” wrote Callye Comeaux, while John Higgs added that it was “amazing in its elegant simplicity”.

In a RadioTimes.com reader poll, 83% of more than 8,000 fans surveyed gave the new logo a thumbs up.

Get the full story: Doctor Who fans react to the show's dramatic new logo
If you like this you’ll love: “Family” is a key watchword for the Chris Chibnall era of Doctor Who
PLUS: Here's why first ever female Doctor Who Jodie Whittaker will be a HUGE hit in Asia

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Christopher Eccleston had a LOT to say about Jodie Whittaker

“She will be the best Doctor. I mean why did they have to wait so long?” Eccleston told the BBC, adding that the role had been played by “too many skinny white men like me.

“I absolutely loved playing the character and I’m so glad it’s being reinvented,” he said.

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Get the full story: Christopher Eccleston: "Jodie Whittaker will be the best Doctor – why did they have to wait so long?"
If you like this you’ll love: BBC Drama Trust Me will return – without Doctor Who’s Jodie Whittaker

And Benedict Cumberbatch did a dramatic reading of a classic nursery rhyme

Because in fairness, who ISN'T a little teapot?

Preach, Mr Cumberbatch. Preach.

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As our reviewer noted at the time: "His performance of ‘I’m a little Teapot’ should be commended for its visual form and hard-hitting delivery, as well as the actor’s commitment to conveying the physical process of tea-pouring."

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Get the full story: Here's Benedict Cumberbatch doing a dramatic reading of I'm a Little Teapot
If you like this you’ll love: Karen Gillan, Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Hiddleston ALL feature in new Avengers Infinity War footage

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