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BBC cancels Doctor Who Christmas special and Russell T Davies announces exit

BBC cancels Doctor Who Christmas special and Russell T Davies announces exit

The BBC said the decision was made "after careful consideration" and had "not been taken lightly".

June 10, 2026 at 11:43 AM Original source
9 agencies covered this story

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Notable Quotes

"goodbye from me but hello to a big new future for the show"

— Russell T Davies , Celebrity

"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!"

— Russell T Davies , Celebrity

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

— Russell T Davies , Celebrity

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

— Russell T Davies , Celebrity

""And so GOODBYE from me to 'Doctor Who,' but HELLO to a big new future for the show...""

— Russell T Davies , Celebrity

"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."

— Russell T Davies , Celebrity

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

— Russell T Davies , Celebrity

"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."

— Russell T Davies , Celebrity

"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!"

— Russell T Davies , Celebrity

"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."

— Russell T Davies , Celebrity

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

— Russell T Davies , Celebrity

"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?!"

— Russell T Davies , Celebrity

"no script for the Christmas special was ever written and that no actor was approached to play the next Doctor."

— Russell T Davies , Celebrity

"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!"

— Russell T. Davies , Celebrity

"And so GOODBYE from me to Doctor Who but HELLO to a big new future for the show."

— Russell T Davies , Celebrity

"I’m as excited as anyone to see what comes next!"

— Russell T Davies , Celebrity

All Coverage

BBC cancels Doctor Who Christmas special and Russell T Davies announces exit
BBC Newsvia rss 3 quotes 1 person

The BBC said the decision was made "after careful consideration" and had "not been taken lightly".

100%
Doctor Who Christmas Special Canceled As Russell T. Davies Exits Series
TVLinevia ai 2 quotes 1 person

The BBC, showrunner Russell T. Davies, and Bad Wolf announced the cancellation of the previously planned Doctor Who Christmas special, with Davies officially exiting the series.

80%
BBC abandons plans for Doctor Who Christmas special
The Guardianvia ai 2 quotes 1 person

The BBC has canceled the special Christmas episode of Doctor Who and announced plans to put the series out to competitive tender, following the departure of showrunner Russell T. Davies and producer Bad Wolf.

80%
BBC cancels Doctor Who’s Christmas 2026 special: ‘This decision was not taken lightly’
The Independentvia ai 2 quotes 1 person

The BBC has announced the cancellation of the previously planned Doctor Who Christmas special for 2026, with showrunner Russell T. Davies and production company Bad Wolf exiting the series.

80%
Christmas Special Cancelled
Doctor Who Newsvia ai 1 quote 1 person

The BBC has confirmed the cancellation of the previously announced 2026 Christmas Special of Doctor Who, opting to focus on the show's long-term future by putting it out to competitive tender.

80%
'Doctor Who' future uncertain as BBC scraps Christmas special and showrunner exits
Associated Pressvia ai 1 quote 1 person

The BBC has canceled the planned 2026 Christmas special of 'Doctor Who' and confirmed the departure of showrunner Russell T. Davies, leaving the series' future uncertain.

80%
'Doctor Who' Christmas special canceled so BBC can figure out the show’s ‘long-term future’
Los Angeles Timesvia ai 2 quotes 1 person

The BBC has canceled the previously announced 'Doctor Who' Christmas special and parted ways with showrunner Russell T. Davies to focus on the series' long-term future.

80%
Sky Newsvia ai

The Doctor Who special planned for this Christmas has been cancelled and Russell T Davies is leaving the long-running sci-fi TV series.

80%
‘Doctor Who’ Christmas Special Scrapped as Showrunner Russell T Davies Exits BBC Series
The Wrapvia ai 3 quotes 1 person

The BBC has canceled the Doctor Who Christmas special and announced that showrunner Russell T. Davies is exiting the series, with the show to be put out to competitive tender.

80%