The hotly anticipated Whoniverse event has been cancelled, after star attendee Matt Smith has announced that it would be impossible for him to leave England for the foreseeable future due to a family emergency. The event’s organisers, Hub Productions, are encouraging fans to wait for contact from Ticketek with info about ticket refunds.
Noticed by Fat Duck Tech, a recent update on Hub Productions’ page for the Whoniverse event shares the news: Matt Smith’s family emergency means that he won’t be able to attend. The producers looked into substituting another recent Doctor like David Tennant or Christopher Eccleston, but none were available at such short notice — the event was scheduled to run from 1-8 March with dates in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth.
Matt Smith’s statement, shared to potential attendees on the Whoniverse site, follows below. Smith was scheduled to attend alongside his in-universe companion Karen Gillan, as well as tertiary companion Arthur Darvill.
I am deeply saddened to have to advise that I will not be able to come to Australia for the Hub Productions’ Whoniverse event. Although I wish it were otherwise, due to a personal family emergency it’s not possible for me to leave England at this time. I truly regret the situation, and the disappointment it must be causing, but I’m hoping to be able to reschedule as soon as possible for the future; I look forward to see you all then.
We’ll be keeping you updated with news of a rescheduled event whenever it comes to light. [Fat Duck Tech]