The thirteenth season of the Doctor Who reboot will introduce a new human companion for the Thirteenth Doctor (Jodie Whittaker, Broadchurch), as reported by Radio Times. Broadcaster and stand-up comedian John Bishop (Skins, Sky One’s A League of Their Own) has officially been announced as the role of Dan, a man who joins the Doctor and Yaz Khan (Mandip Gill, Love, Lies & Records) for an all-new set of thrilling inter-dimensional adventures, Deadline reports. Bishop’s character was introduced via a thirty-second teaser that aired immediately after the most recent New Year’s special, Revolution of the Daleks, according to Radio Times. The Liverpool-born comic retweeted the teaser on his Twitter account, along with a message of gratitude.

I have loved the last few months on set and I am looking forward to working with the brilliant team in 2021. Honour to join such a legendary show . https://t.co/uta3qSmBNw

— John Bishop (@JohnBishop100) January 1, 2021

Bishop was recently showered with messages of goodwill following his positive COVID-19 diagnosis on December 25 which has forced him to self-isolate for a span of ten days, Radio Times reports. He is scheduled to continue filming Doctor Who in Wales later in January, per Bishop’s New Year’s Eve tweet.

Thank you for all the messages of support regarding my recent positive Covid test. I have been overwhelmed and moved by the amount of messages privately and publicly. Every day we are getting a little stronger and I will be back at work in Jan. Keep safe and Happy New Year John x

— John Bishop (@JohnBishop100) December 31, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to delay many productions on both sides of the Atlantic. Bishop, who has become well known in his home country as a television presenter, strove to find a new creative outlet in 2020, which led him to launch the podcast Three Little Words with fellow actor Tony Pitts (Giri/Haji, Peaky Blinders), according to The Irish News. Every episode of Three Little Words sees Bishop and Pitts invite a celebrity guest to chat with them and name the three words they value most of all. Recent guests have included singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae (Funny Cow), comedy legend John Cleese (Fawlty Towers) and Melanie C, A.K.A. Sporty Spice of Spice Girls fame. In an interview with Evening Express, Bishop expressed how pleased he was working in the unscripted audio medium: “There is nothing better for me than being on stage doing stand-up… Now that is not available, and if I can’t do that, this beats any telly I’ve done.”

Season thirteen of the Doctor Who reboot, starring Bishop, Gill and Whittaker, is scheduled to premiere in 2021 on BBC One, via Radio Times.