Nicola Coughlan and Ncuti Gatwa in the Doctor Who festive special

Doctor Who fans all say the same thing after festive special following devastating loss

Doctor Who: Joy to the World aired on Christmas Day and it saw one character's demise just minutes after they were introduced.

by · The Mirror

Doctor Who returned on BBC One with Ncuti Gatwa reprising his role as the eponymous character. This time he came across a a single woman called Joy (Nichola Coughlan), who opened a secret doorway to the Time Hotel.

A deadly plan was unfolding across the Earth, just in time for Christmas. Viewers were up in arms after one character was killed off within the first half of the episode.

They mourned the untimely loss of Joel Fry as Trev Simpkins, a staff member at the Time Hotel, who helped the Doctor on his adventure. @philipmoore_ said: "Killing Trev… when we just met him?! Justice for Trev. #DoctorWho"

@Migeman added: "Aww s***, not Trev, he was a good lad. #DoctorWho" Meanwhile, @Spaceyeurotrash shared: "Feel like s*** just want Trev back as a treat #DoctorWho"

@grace_is_sugoi penned: "Can they just let Trev survive as a treat #DoctorWho" with @Hyukasbabe adding: "It was my fault for getting attached to Trev #DoctorWho"

Trev was killed off minutes into the episode

@Spaceyeurotrash concluded: "Rip Trev it was nice knowing you (for like 5 seconds) lol."

Throughout the episode, viewers also mourned the absence of Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson), who left Doctor Who in the two-part finale episode, Empire of Death.

@stitched_moons said: "Missing ruby Sunday like a mf #doctorwho"

Meanwhile, @THHEBLACKDOG noticed one reference from the Doctor, saying: "Not him making Ruby a coffee #DoctorWho" alongside a crying emoji.

Nicola Coughlan joined the cast of Doctor Who

Ruby was later mentioned in the episode when a receptionist asked the Doctor: "Who are you not phoning?"

"Ruby Sunday," he admitted. The receptionist asked what the problem was with Ruby.

"No problem, just gotta let people get on with their lives," he said solemnly.

@virtualdemigod loved the addition of Derry Girls star Nicola Coughlan, although admitted they were gutted over Ruby's departure.

They said: "I assume we're all upset at no more Ruby Sunday (?) but honestly I'm too busy going crazy over Nicola Coughlan as a #doctorwho companion."

@rhyssuxx shared: "Whoever decided to cast Nicola Coughlan in an episode of #DoctorWho deserves a knighthood."

Doctor Who: Joy to the World is available to watch on BBC iPlayer