Doctor Who stars David Tennant and Jodie Whittaker dress as characters to judge cosplay contest

Current and former Time Lords appeared together on The Late Late Show

Jodie Whittaker and David Tennant teamed up to judge a Doctor Who cosplay contest while wearing their famous costumes.

Appearing on The Late Late Show, the current and former Doctor Who stars appraised the efforts of superfans, who dressed up as characters including a cyberman, a Dalek and the Face of Boe.

“I’m gonna be good cop,” said Whittaker, before the competition began. ”I’m gonna be ruthless,” Tennant responded.

The contestants had been given just 24 hours to assemble their costumes, and some of the improvised uses of kitchen equipment and household objects provoked laughter from the two judges.

Tennant joked that it had been “quite a little while” since he had last worn the clothes of the 10th Doctor. “It all still fits, thankfully,” he added, “even after lockdown.”

The Scottish actor played the Doctor for three series of the hit BBC sci-fi programme, from 2005 until 2010. Tennant was replaced by Matt Smith, who was subsequently replaced by Peter Capaldi.

Whittaker took over the role in 2017.

Elsewhere on the programme, the pair opened up to host James Corden about their experiences playing the character.

“It’s part of our cultural heritage in this country,” said Tennant. “This show’s been going since 1963. Just about everyone alive in Britain has grown up with it, or certainly has it in their lives. It’s wonderful and thrilling to become part of that, but you don’t want to break it.”

Whittaker added: “It’s the best, most incredible journey but it can’t be described.”

Tennant can currently be seen starring alongside Michael Sheen in the BBC1 sitcom Staged, which was filmed under lockdown conditions.