BBC cancels planned Christmas special for one of its most iconic shows

The Christmas special had been hugely anticipated.

In October 2025, the BBC said that the iconic sci-fi series would be back on screens at Christmas 2026 with a special episode written by showrunner Russell T. Davies (Tip Toe).

The last season of Doctor Who ended with a send-off for lead actor Ncuti Gatwa and a suggestion that actress Billie Piper, who previously played a different role in the sci-fi, may be the next Doctor.

As such, fans of the series were eagerly awaiting the Christmas Special for confirmation of this.

Now, however, the BBC has backtracked on the Christmas Special plans. The broadcaster and Davies announced on Wednesday (10 June) that the special episode won't be happening.

The BBC's statement reads: "Today we’re announcing an update on plans for the future of Doctor Who.

"After careful consideration, the BBC, Russell T Davies and [production company] Bad Wolf have collectively decided not to go ahead with the previously announced Doctor Who Christmas episode.

"This decision was not taken lightly, and we know it will be disappointing for fans.

"But in order to set the show up for future series, it was decided that rather than bridge the gap with a one-off special, we are choosing to push forward to invest in the long-term future of the show, which ensures that when the TARDIS lands once more, it does so in all its glory."

Doctor Who. Credit: BBC.

The broadcaster also said: "As part of securing the next phase of the show for future generations, and in line with the BBC’s Charter and Agreement requirements, the BBC will put Doctor Who out to competitive tender this year.

"Doctor Who remains an important part of the BBC, and this tender underpins the BBC’s continued commitment to Doctor Who, ensuring audiences will enjoy the show for years to come.

"Details of the tender will be announced in due course."

In his own social media post, Russell T. Davies provided more details about the cancellation, including that he will no longer be showrunning the sci-fi.

He said: "And so GOODBYE from me to Doctor Who but HELLO to a big new future for the show, as the BBC announces it’s putting the show out to tender.

"As a result, there won’t be a Christmas Special - we only cooked that up to guarantee a future when no one knew what would happen, but now we do know, there’s no need for it.

"You’ll have to wait a bit longer for new Doctor Who… but you’ll be waiting for MORE Doctor Who than a one-off. So it’s worth it!"

Davies also confirmed: "For the record: there was no script, I never wrote it, and no actor was ever approached to play the next Doctor.

"You may disagree; fine, sit in that chair and wait to be proved right. You’ll wait a lonnng time.

"Now I’m as excited as anyone to see what comes next! Will they keep the theme tune? Will they lose the blue box? Will they bring back the Drahvin?!

"It’s all up for grabs, which is so Doctor Who, exciting and unpredictable and new! Here comes the future, vworp vworp."

JOE recently interviewed Davies about his tense and terrifying new thriller series Tip Toe, which aired its finale last night on Channel 4.

You can read a write-up of that chat here.

At the end of the conversation with the writer and Tip Toe's stars Alan Cummings and David Morrissey, we asked Davies if there were any updates regarding a second season of the Doctor Who spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea.

In response, he quipped, laughing: "Oh, I think the call will have to end there," perhaps an indication of Wednesday's announcement.

All five episodes of Tip Toe are streaming on Channel 4's website now.