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Jodie Whittaker helps out a Big Issue vendor by signing copies of Doctor Who magazines

Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker stopped to chat with Jon who was selling copies featuring her exclusive exit interview

Jodie Whittaker Big Issue

Outgoing Doctor Who and Big Issue cover star Jodie Whittaker was photographed laughing and joking with Big Issue vendor Jon Gregg after signing all his magazines and posing for photos. Image: TillenDove

Jodie Whittaker bowed out of Doctor Who in style in an epic, action-packed thrill-ride. And she proved the big heart and positivity she displayed on screen right to the end of her time in the Tardis. She stopped to sign copies of The Big Issue – with her face on the cover – for popular vendor Jon Gregg this week.

Jodie Whittaker Big Issue
Jodie Whittaker was cover star on the magazine as her final Doctor Who episode aired. Image: TillenDove

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Whittaker has been a strong supporter of The Big Issue for many years. She has always made time to speak to us throughout her time in Doctor Who, filmed a short video encouraging readers to subscribe to the magazine when our vendors were unable to sell on the streets during lockdown, and gave us a big, exclusive exit interview for our recent cover story. 

Now, thanks to Whittaker’s generosity, vendor Jon was able to sell signed copies of The Big Issue to delighted fans in London.

Back in 2018, Whittaker told us: “We have got a lovely man where I live. If I ever make it onto the cover, I will get it from him. He is so nice. I didn’t know he knew who I was [he did!]. He is a lovely, positive, very upbeat man.”

And in 2020 she told us: “It’s such a brilliant magazine that I buy every week and I’ve never felt shortchanged. The Big Issue is absolutely riddled with interesting content, always coming from an angle I am fascinated by, and you are always talking about people I am interested in.

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Jodie Whittaker with Big Issue
Jodie Whittaker poses with The Big Issue in 2018

“Also, buying this magazine means you are stopping and having a conversation. If you are meeting someone you wouldn’t have had a chat with before by buying this magazine, it can only be a great thing.”

Get the latest news and insight into how the Big Issue magazine is made by signing up for the Inside Big Issue newsletter

On screen, viewers were stunned to see Whittaker’s Doctor regenerate into David Tennant (again) on Sunday night. And with another friend of The Big Issue, Ncuti Gatwa, set to make his debut on the show next Christmas after a series of special episodes to mark the show’s 60th anniversary, the future is bright.

As a great Doctor once said, travel hopefully, Jodie…

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