Billie Piper returned as Rose Tyler in the last episode of the hit BBC series

Doctor Who is to return to BBC1 next year with a Christmas special, after bosses declared the show would “remain at the heart of the BBC”. The Corporation is to go it alone, after Disney+ pulled out of funding the sci-fi show, several months after the last episode under their two season deal came to an end.

Now insiders are predicting that the festive episode, for 2026, could be the swan song for show runner Russell T Davies, who looks set to bow out ahead of a full series being produced in 2027.

If he does leave, it is likely to be alongside BBC Studios’ Cardiff-based co-production partner Bad Wolf, with whom he had always worked closely on Doctor Who.

One source said: “Expect bells and whistles on this festive outing, as it could be the final one for Russell as showrunner. Daleks? Snowmen? Let’s see what he comes up with.”

Ncuti Gatwa
Ncuti Gatwa has gone for good – but who will be the 16th Doctor? ( 
Image:
PA)

Russell officially returned to Doctor Who as showrunner in 2021, taking over from Chris Chibnall. The first of his episodes were the 2023 specials celebrating the show’s 60th anniversary, featuring David Tennant.

The last time that fans watched the series in May, Ncuti Gatwa departed as the 15th Doctor, and appeared to regenerate into Billie Piper as Rose Tyler in his final scenes. Billie played Rose back in the early days of the reboot from 2005, alongside Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant, when Russell first became showrunner.

While the show’s army of loyal fans will be thrilled to hear that Doctor Who now has a firm date to return – after many rumours that it had been axed for good – they believe that Bille Piper is playing a place-holder rather than the 16th Doctor.

Dr Who end credits
End credits when Jodie Whittaker joined made it clear she was “the Doctor”

This is because in the end credits, rather than introducing the new Time Lord in the traditional way, by writing: “And introducing Billie Piper as the Doctor” the credit read simply: “And introducing Billie Piper.” One insider added: “As everyone knows, the Doctor is from Gallifrey and Rose is most definitely a human.”Fans expect the next Doctor to have taken the appearance of Rose, for reasons that have yet to be explained.

This festive season will be the first to not have a Doctor Who special for 20 years. The BBC said that the announcement about the 2026 Christmas episode had been prompted by Disney+ confirming that it would not be partnering on the next season of the sci-fi show – as widely anticipated – after international viewing figures proved disappointing.

In a statement yesterday, the BBC said that it remained “fully committed to the show and will announce plans for the next series in due course to ensure the Doctor’s adventures continue”.

At the end of this year, Doctor Who spin-off The War Between The Land and the Sea will air, as well as a brand-new animation series for CBeebies.