Doctor Who meets The Beatles

7 May 2024

While The Beatles have been referenced many times in Doctor Who, The Devil's Chord (2024) isn't the first time the band have been seen on screen in the show.

Series of 4 images of Millie Gibson and Ncuti Gatwa in their 1960s costumes for The Devil's Chord — Image caption,
Publicity images of Millie Gibson (Ruby) and Ncuti Gatwa (The Doctor)

"I had no idea you knew about The Beatles!" Ian Chesterton (1965)

Series of 4 black and white images of The Beatles — Image caption,
Contact sheet of photos of The Beatles, held in the BBC Archive (c1965)

In the first episode of a story called The Chase (1965), The Beatles are listed as taking part in a pre-recorded clip, as can be seen in this programme paperwork.

The Programme as Broadcast entry for "The Executioners", episode one of The Chase. The Beatles can be seen listed half way down the second section of text. — Image caption,
Programme paperwork for "The Executioners", episode one of The Chase. The Beatles can be seen listed half way down the second section of text.

Changes in copyright law mean that this clip is not available on iPlayer today. However, it is still preserved in the BBC Archives as the only recording of The Beatles performing on Top of the Pops that exists, as these screenshots show -

Screenshot of the backs of Ian, Barbara, Vicki and The Doctor all watching an image appear on a screen at the centre of a contraption with many switches and dials — Image caption,
The Doctor and his companions are watching moments from history on a Time-Space Visualiser in the TARDIS. Vicki, who is from the 25th century, selects a moment that is historical to her - 1965

Screenshot of the back of Ringo Starr playing the drums, with Paul McCartney and John Lennon on podiums playing guitars and singing — Image caption,
An announcer appears on screen to introduce ... the fabulous Beatles!

Screenshot of Paul McCartney and John Lennon playing guitars and singing — Image caption,
The TARDIS crew briefly watch The Beatles performing Ticket to Ride

"They're marvellous, but I didn't know they played classical music!" Vicki (1965)

The clip of The Beatles used in the episode had been pre-recorded for Top of the Pops, as the band had been unable to appear live. Interestingly they recorded this performance of Ticket to Ride in Riverside studios, which was also where the Doctor Who story The Chase was recorded.

And this isn't the only location that The Beatles and Doctor Who have shared. in September 2015 Jenna Coleman and Peter Capaldi, with the help of a couple of Daleks, recreated the iconic Beatles album cover image on the crossing of Abbey Road.