Archive December 12, 2025

Bill Nighy is known for appearing in numerous widely celebrated stage, television, and film roles. However, you may not know about the iconic TV role he turned down and the reason behind it

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Bill Nighy is one of Britain’s most beloved actors, known for his distinctive voice, understated delivery, and ability to move seamlessly between comedy, drama, and genre films. His career spans stage, television, and film, and he’s widely admired for bringing nuance and emotional depth to every role.

Nighy, who celebrates his 76th birthday today (December 12) began his acting journey on stage, training at the Guildford School of Acting and performing with London theatres including the National Theatre. He gained early recognition in the 1980s and 1990s for his stage work and for appearances in BBC radio and television dramas.

Other standout roles of his include playing Billy Mac in 2003’s Love Actually, portraying Davy Jones in the Pirates of the Caribbean series (2006–2007) and appearing in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010) as the stern Minister for Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour.

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However, you may not know that Nighy, from Caterham in Surrey, actually turned down one of the most iconic roles on UK television – Doctor Who.

Nighy publicly said in 2013 that he was approached about playing the Doctor in the BBC series, and that he turned down the role. He confirmed this in interviews, though he didn’t specify exactly when the offer was made or which incarnation it would have been for.

Instead he said he didn’t want the job because he felt it came with too much “baggage” — referring to the intense attention and expectations that come with portraying such a beloved character.

He has however since appeared on Doctor Who in a small cameo role as an art expert in the episode Vincent and the Doctor, which aired in 2010.

Doctor Who fans seemed to like his appearance in the show, as many took to Reddit to praise his performance after the episode aired.

One person wrote: “An underrated cameo for me is Bill Nighy from Vincent and the Doctor as his narration in the end is what makes the emotional scene of that episode so special.”

While another added: “Both Nighy and Tony Curran just killed it in that episode.

“I’ve seen it probably a dozen times and I always tear up when Nighy is talking about Van Gogh while Curran as Vincent is standing right behind him listening, looking at his paintings on the walls of the gallery, and getting emotional.”

Conor McGregor is set to wed his long-term fiancee Deee Devlin at the Vatican today.

The marriage between the mixed martial arts fighter, 37, and Ms Devlin, 38, with whom he has four children, will take place in the historic Chiesa di Santo Stefano Degli Abissini, just behind the Basilica of St Peter on the way to the Vatican Gardens.

Sources inside the Vatican say that the Church of St Stephen of the Abyssinians has been booked for the intimate wedding, according to the Irish Independent.

Vatican weddings are rare , reserved for very specific circumstances and require special coordination with authorities.

The paper reports how senior Vatican figures have expressed their concern over the appropriateness of making the church available to McGregor. Last year a jury in a civil trial in Dublin’s High Court found had raped a woman at a hotel in Dublin 2018.

McGregor vehemently denied the claim and insisted he had consensual sex with Nikita Hand, but the jury decided in her favour. Ms Hand was awarded almost 250,000 euros (£214,994) in damages and McGregor was also ordered to pay about 1.3 million euros (£1.1 million) in legal costs.

This month, the Supreme Court rejected McGregor’s appeal against that ruling, finding that he had a fair hearing and refusing him any further appeal.

Dee showed her unwavering support for McGregor after the verdict by holding his hand as they made their way out of the court and faced the world’s media.

In a statement issued via her solicitors, Coleman Legal, Ms Hand said: “The public and private roads that I and my loved ones have travelled have been long and painful.

“Today marks not a victory for me but for all of those who have been treated as I have. You are never alone on your journey, if you choose not to be. Help and support is there,” she said.

Conor’s soon to be wife Dee has stood by the multi-millionaire for over 15 years from his rise to superstardom to his spectacular fall from grace.

Alongside a photo of the family together, she wrote on social media: “My man and I have created a beautiful life together. I love him I trust him and I BELIEVE HIM!

“Our four beautiful children whose smiling faces and happy hearts are testimony to the man he is and who we are! No one is entitled to comment on our relationship- we trust one another and love one another. Nothing or nobody will change that. Our family stands strong!”

Following the trial, Conor was seen kissing a mystery woman.

The former two-weight UFC champion was caught on camera enjoying himself at a Florida beach where he was spotted jet skiing before cuddling up to an unknown dark-haired woman – who was not his long-term partner Dee Devlin.

Conor proposed to Dee in 2025 shortly before her 33rd birthday. “What a birthday, my future wife !” Conor captioned his post on Instagram.

The pair first met at nightclub in Dublin in 2008 where Dee worked at the time.

Conor has always said that Dee Devlin supported him when he had nothing and helped manage his travel and finances before he became a UFC star.

Their first child, Conor Jack McGregor Jr., was born in May 2017. Their daughter, Croía, was born in January 2019. In May 2021, they welcomed their second son, Rían and youngest son, Mack, was born in November 2023.