The Doctor Who New Year's Day 2019 special promised to be “one of the most dramatic episodes this series” with Jodie Whittaker at the helm as the Chris Chibnall’s storyline saw the Daleks return. However, the writer seemingly chose to reference Brexit with a dig and many fans were not happy. The Doctor was in urgent need of help after facing trouble against the Daleks, and chose to phone UNIT. UNIT, which was last under Kate Stewart (Jemma Redgrave), was created to investigate and combat paranormal and extraterrestrial threats to the Earth. Related articles Doctor Who spoilers: What will happen in the New Year’s Day special? Pointless: Richard Osman SLATES Bradley Walsh over Doctor Who role UNIT now stands for Unified Intelligence Taskforce, having previously stood for United Nations Intelligence Task Force. After facing a difficult call-handler, the Doctor said: “This is incredibly urgent, the fate of the entire planet is at stake!” The call handler replied: “Oh, I’m so sorry. UNIT operations have been suspended, pending review.” Shocked, the Doctor gasped: “What? No, it can’t have been. UNIT is a fundamentally vital protection for planet Earth against alien invasion. What happened to it?” The call handler continued: “All UNIT operations were put on hold following financial disputes and subsequent funding withdrawal by the UK’s major international partners,” as the Doctor sighed: “You’re kidding!” The operator added: “Other armed forces are available if you could answer a couple of questions on how I may best direct your call,” before the Doctor stated: “We’re on our own!” Doctor Who’s BREXIT jibe leaves BBC New Year’s Day viewers fuming (Image: BBC) Viewers instantly took to social media following the European Union Brexit dig. One viewer fumed: “So tuned into #DoctorWho in time for a presumed dig at Brexit ‘funding withdrawn by International partners‘. Off you go... Well done #BBC. You have additionally ruined New Years Eve with your anti-Brexit bol***ks right up until midnight and what I was looking forward to today.” “Did #DoctorWho just suggest that Brexit caused UNIT to be suspended?” huffed another. A third sighed: “#Doctorwho Dire plot line. UNIT closed due to Brexit. Dalek revived from death by light? Aye ok. Next....Bulls**t.” “Brexit disbanded UNIT #DoctorWho? Wtf is this utter trash of an episode. It's more family drama than action, and then they get rid of unit. Seriously Chibnall. I've been a fan of Doctor Who since I was less than 4, and I think this is the last time I'll watch Doctor Who again,” said another. A fifth posted: “‘Suspended’ Unit with a thinly veiled Brexit jibe... come on Chibs, I expected a bit more than that :/ #doctorwho.” Related articles Doctor Who season 11 spoilers: Bradley Walsh fans in tears at final Doctor Who season 12 spoilers: Show scrapped for 2019 after special “So are we blaming Brexit on the lack of funding for UNIT lol? #doctorwho,” asked another. Referencing last night’s “EU-themed fireworks”, one viewer even claimed: “The BBC is starting 2019 the way it finished 2018 - on an anti-Brexit yawnquest. #BBCBigBenLive #DoctorWho.” Later in the episode, the show’s script referenced an “unknown drone”, just a week after a “drone sighting” at Gatwick, which Sussex Police Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Tingley said may not have been real. One viewer tweeted: “To be fair, the country couldn't deal with a drone at Gatwick, so I'm not surprised it can't handle a Dalek. #DoctorWho.” “So THAT was the drone over gatwick was #doctorwho,” posted another, as a third jibed: “Did it come via Gatwick? #doctorwho.” Doctor Who returns to BBC One in 2020.All rights reserved for this news site express.co.uk and under his responsibility