David Tennant has begged JK Rowling to “let people be” while describing the ongoing controversy over transgender rights as being as “medieval and absurd” as the notorious Section 28 introduced by Margaret Thatcher in 1988. In his appearance on ITV’s fresh talk programme The Assembly, the acclaimed actor, 54, discussed why he has taken up the mantle as a vocal supporter for the transgender community.

In conversation, he explained: “When I was a teenager there was this thing that Mrs Thatcher’s government introduced called Section 28 which was about stopping the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality in schools – which was basically saying it was illegal to talk about being gay in schools, or to suggest that that might be a normal way of behaving.” Tennant remarked: “We look back on that now as a medieval, absurd thing to try and say and I think the way the trans community is being demonised is exactly the same.”

Tennant, having worked with JK Rowling on Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as the character Barty Crouch Jr., shared his sentiments when questioned about Rowling’s public disapproval of his stance.

He stated: “Listen, J K Rowling is a wonderful author who’s created brilliant stories, and I wish her no ill will. But I hope that we can all, as a society, let people be.” The actor defiantly added: “Just get out of people’s way.”

The debate between them reached the public eye last year after Rowling accused the actor of being part of a “Gender Taliban” following his criticism of legal moves intended to restrict trans women from specific areas, legislation that has since been passed.

While receiving the Celebrity Ally accolade at the British LGBT Awards, the Doctor Who star passionately declared that “everyone has the right to be who they want to be”. He also fiercely criticised Rowling and like-minded individuals regarding their stance on protected spaces for biological women, labelling them “a tiny bunch of little whinging f****** who are on the wrong side of history”.

Tennant’s recent remarks emerged during an interview with ITV’s The Assembly, a group consisting of autistic, neurodivergent, and learning disabled individuals.

Committed to responding with candour, Tennant faced another challenging question about Good Omens author Neil Gaiman being “cancelled” due to sexual misconduct allegations, which Gaiman has refuted.

Gaiman, once an executive producer on the Amazon Prime series featuring Tennant and Michael Sheen, is no longer part of the forthcoming third and concluding series.

Discussing the show, Tennant commented: “We’re doing Good Omens again, we’re doing a finale, there’s been a slight rejig with the personnel. But we still get to tell that story, it would have been very difficult to leave it on a cliffhanger I think, so I’m glad that’s been worked out.”