Russell T Davies has confirmed his exit as Doctor Who showrunner, as the BBC has announced it is scrapping this year's Christmas special. It comes as the broadcaster revealed today that the sci-fi series will be put out to competitive tender.
They explained that the decision "underpins the BBC’s continued commitment to Doctor Who ensuring audiences will enjoy the show for years to come".
The special has faced months of uncertainty following the last-aired episode in 2025, which saw Ncuti Gatwa's surprise exit as the Doctor as he unexpectedly regenerated into Billie Piper – who previously played companion Rose Tyler.
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Davies has now shared that he has departed the series for the second time following his previous exit at the end of the David Tennant era.
"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," he wrote on Instagram.
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"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!"
The writer went on to confirm that the planned special had "no script" and that he "never wrote it", while admitting that "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," he continued, saying he was "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," Davies concluded.
Since the news was confirmed, some fans have questioned what the big centrepiece will be for the BBC's Christmas schedule, which is often occupied by a Doctor Who special.
"So with no Doctor Who special what will BBC have as their big christmas centerpiece," one questioned on Digital Spy's forum.
"Looks like no one will be watching bbc xmass last year was very bad same this year to," another added, though a third wrote on Instagram: "Well Christmas is ruined! Gutted but excited for the future at the same time."
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
