It said the decision was made after “careful consideration” with the BBC, the show’s writer Russell T Davies and production company Bad Wolf all coming to an agreement that means fans won’t see a festive special this year.

Davies told fans on social media that there is now “no need for it”, when discussing the Christmas episode.

BBC confirms Doctor Who’s Christmas special has been cancelled for 2026

The BBC explained: “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.

“After careful consideration, the BBC, Russell T Davies and 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.”

Sharing the announcement on Instagram, Russel T. Davies confirmed he hadn’t written a script for the Christmas special.

All 15 Doctors in order

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

Recommended reading:

“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 🌪️ @bbcdoctorwho ♥️”.

Do you think there should be a Doctor Who Christmas special? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

Violence and disorder broke out in the streets of Belfast after a knife attack on Monday night.

The victim, Stephen Ogilvy, lost his left eye in the attack, Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard. The suspected attacker, Hadi Alodid, has been remanded in custody for four weeks after being charged with attempted murder, threats to kill an NHS radiographer and possession of a knife.

BBC Verify has mapped out some of the violent disorder that took place across the city, and elsewhere in Northern Ireland. Videos show masked men walking down the streets, shops and homes attacked and bins and buses set on fire. Merlyn Thomas reports.

Produced by Aisha Sembhi. Graphics by Mark Edwards and Leo Scutt-Richter. Additional reporting by Thomas Copeland.

The drama left fans begging for more after a devastating axe following three seasons.

Period drama fans have been left begging for more of a “masterpiece” programme.

The historical drama, set in Renaissance-era Italy, based on a real noble family of Spanish origins and their rise to power.

The Borgias first aired in 2011, running until 2013 across three seasons, and it’s now free to watch on Channel 4.

Starring Jeremy Irons as Pope Alexander VI, Francois Arnaud as Cesare, Holliday Grainger as Lucrezia and David Oakes as Juan, the series follows the family’s scandalous ascension to the papacy.

Focusing on the highs and lows they face as well as their struggles to maintain the power they hold, The Borgias fictionalises the unstable world of politics in 15th century Europe.

Perfect for Game of Thrones fans, The Borgias follows ruthless political play, and the backstabbing, betrayals and scandals involved within power-hungry dynasties.

Several fans have hailed The Borgias as a “masterpiece”, as one begged: “For the love of god bring back that show! It’s exceptional and one of a kind show… I’m just in love with The Borgias!”

“So good it’s stunning,” another said, adding: “Overall, a superb and satisfying journey throughout that I will never forget.”

A third fan called it “too good for TV,” while another said: “10 out of 10 stars for the masterpiece that is this show!”

One viewer called it a “perfect mini series”, as someone else wrote: “This is by far the best historical drama I have ever seen! The acting was completely amazing and it kept me completely entranced up to the very last second!”

Another called it “magnificent,” saying: “The acting is flawless by the main characters! The story, script and costumes are wonderful! I’ve watched it over and over, many times!”

“The Borgias is one of the best series I have ever watched!” another said.

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As well as widespread acclaim from viewers, The Borgias gained 16 Emmy nominations, and three wins, two for Outsanding Costumes for a Series and one for Oustanding Original Main Title Theme Music.

Despite the demands from fans, it was confirmed in 2013 that The Borgias wouldn’t be returning for a fourth season.

“It has been an honor to work with the great Neil Jordan and the incomparable Jeremy Irons on The Borgias,” David Nevins, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc, said at the time, as per Variety.

“Neil has written nearly every episode of this series himself. His extraordinary storytelling combined with Jeremy’s fascinating portrayal of the infamous Pope Alexander VI, has made for truly outstanding television that will live on. I look forward to future collaborations.”

The Borgias is available to watch on Channel 4.

It follows disorder that flared on Tuesday evening.

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Two men have been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with rioting during disorder that flared in Northern Ireland on Tuesday evening.

Dwayne Thomas Andrew Burton, 42, from Clara Street in East Belfast, was charged with riot and attempting to damage a police Land Rover in the Newtownards Road area in East Belfast.

He also faces a count of assaulting a civilian detention officer while in police custody.

Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard that Burton is alleged to have thrown a shopping trolley at the Land Rover and was also observed allegedly inciting the crowd of protesters.

He is then accused of jumping on top of the vehicle, punching it and attempting to open the passenger door.

Outlining objections to bail, a PSNI officer told the court that during police interview Burton claimed he had drunk half a bottle of vodka and went to observe the gathering in the Newtownards Road after seeing a post on social media about it.

The officer said when CCTV footage of the incident was shown to Burton, he said he accepted his involvement. The officer described the accused as “extremely volatile” while in police custody.

A solicitor for Burton said the case involved a “grotesque” set of circumstances and the only thing in his client’s credit was his acceptance of the offences.

District judge Steve Keown refused bail on the grounds of risk of offending and risk posed to the public.

Burton was remanded in custody to appear before the same court on July 8.

Andrew Kane, 39, of Carwood Avenue in Newtownabbey, appeared separately before Belfast Magistrates’ Court facing a single riot charge.

He was arrested in the Newtownabbey area on Tuesday evening.

Kane made no application for bail and was remanded in custody to appear before the same court on June 16.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

The images coming out of Belfast overnight on Tuesday were shocking.

Violent unrest erupted in the north of the city after a man was seriously injured in a knife attack and a Sudanese migrant was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. British far-right agitators including Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (also known as Tommy Robinson) wasted no time in race-baiting. They encouraged angry white men and boys to take to the streets and vent their fury. Many did.

I live in Belfast, and in a hark back to the violence of our past, houses were set ablaze and families were left fleeing for their lives. People identified as migrants (often merely people of colour) were singled out as targets. Road blocks were put in place across the city, reportedly patrolled by “loyalist” vigilantes. Migrant-owned businesses were shuttered and others were set ablaze. People trying to travel to or from work were prevented from doing so. Youth groups were cancelled.

There is a legacy in Northern Ireland of people being burnt out of their houses or being forced from their homes as a result of sectarianism and communal hatred. As a result of the outbreak of what has become known as the “Troubles”, some 45,000-60,000 people suffered a similar fate, becoming what many refer to colloquially as “burnt out”.

Niall Gilmartin and I have conducted the only detailed analysis of this displacement, interviewing over 80 victims and survivors, documenting their stories in our 2023 book, Refugees and Forced Displacement in Northern Ireland’s Troubles.

While the historic inequality between Protestant and Catholic in the north of Ireland has in many ways been resolved under the power-sharing arrangement, we remain very much a society that is “comfortably segregated”. There are still issues around the lack of integrated education, and we still live in the shadow of physical barriers – the “peace walls”.

As Northern Ireland has transitioned away from its legacy of conflict and moved beyond the 1998 Good Friday agreement, it has attempted to open up and become more cosmopolitan, pluralist and diverse. But crucially, there is a legacy of failing to meaningfully address issues of violent forced displacement.

While we in the north don’t want to be burdened by our violent history, it remains important. Those who were responsible for Tuesday’s attacks would do well to become more aware, to educate themselves on the causes of division, to get out of the social media echo chamber. They could also listen to the stories of those who were “burnt out” in the past.

The spread of online hate

It’s hard to get away from the clear influence of online racial hatred, spreading in from the toxicity of platforms like TikTok, Instagram and especially X. White supremacy is becoming increasingly amplified online, and getting a political platform under the likes of US President Donald Trump.

From Southampton to Southport, and as seen in Dublin in 2023, racial violence against migrant populations is part of a broader rise in the rightwing tide globally.

In Northern Ireland, this drip-feed effect appears to be ingratiating itself within certain components of the loyalist community, leading to a horrible outpouring of racist, targeted attacks against people who live in these communities. Doctors, nurses, hospitality workers, colleagues and students. Our friends.

By and large, those who were causing violence on the streets on Tuesday look for the most part to have been young kids. The political representation of the loyalist working class has, for decades, been terrible. The DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) in particular has failed to show proper leadership and done little to calm these tensions. It has consistently pursued a politics of negativity, rather than one that shows respect for plurality, diversity and inclusion. This has been clear, for example, in how the party has approached the Irish language or Irish heritage in general.

There can be no space for placating violent white supremacy, masquerading as “concerned” (loyalist) citizens. The message – from politicians to the general public – must be clear and unambiguous. Belfast must move beyond the shadow of its violent past, reject racism and remain a city open, tolerant and welcoming to all.

The weather caused major disruption at the Manchester Airport

Holidaymakers faced major disruptions at the Manchester Airport yesterday after three planes were struck by lightning.

One plane was grounded, another diverted and a third was impacted by the “adverse weather conditions” as it arrived at the airport on Tuesday (June 9).

A Jet2 flight had to make an emergency diversion to Manchester after it was struck by lightning as it took off from Leeds Bradford Airport. Firefighters were called to a runway at Manchester Airport at around 4:30pm.

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Two fire engines from Wythenshawe and Cheadle along with a technical response unit from Leigh attended.

The flight was travelling from Leeds to Lanzarote Canary Islands before having to make the sudden detour. According to the Manchester Airport, passengers were transferred to another plane before resuming their journey.

A spokesperson for Manchester Airport said: “It departed from Leeds Bradford. At some point it was struck by lightning and had to come back here.

“It circled around over Liverpool way for a little while and then came to us. Passengers have been transferred onto a different aircraft that was already on the ground here.

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Also caught in the malaise was a Pegasus Airline flight travelling from Manchester Airport to Istanbul. The pilots manning the Turkish plane were force to return to the airport after the aircraft was struck during take off.

A passenger who was onboard told the M.E.N how a ‘massive explosion’ was heard as the plane left the runway.

Speaking of his ordeal, Nassar Massalha, said: “As soon as the plane left the ground, it was struck by lightning. For a second it looked like a ball of fire on the left-hand side of the aircraft.

“All passengers and crew are fine. Around five minutes after take-off, the captain announced that we had been struck by lightning and would be returning to Manchester as a precaution.”

He told the M.E.N, the aircraft circled the air for ‘around 40 minutes’ before returning to the airport for safety. Passengers were transferred to a replacement flight.

A spokesperson for Pegasus Airline said: “As a precautionary measure, passengers were transferred to another aircraft.”

A TUI flight was also seemingly struck by lightning at the Manchester Airport yesterday. According to reports, an aircraft arriving from Santorini was hit as it arrived. TUI officials say the aircraft landed safely.

A TUI spokesperson told the M.E.N: “While we do not comment on individual flights or operational matters, adverse weather conditions at Manchester Airport today may have resulted in an aircraft being struck by lightning.

“At this stage, however, this has not been confirmed. Nevertheless, the flight number you mentioned landed safely.”

Jet2 has been approached for comment.

Sinn Féin’s Róis-Máire Donnelly said she was visited by the police on Tuesday night and advised to take extra precautions around her personal security

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The Lord Mayor of Belfast said she has received death threats amid violent disorder following the stabbing attack in the city.

Sinn Féin’s Róis-Máire Donnelly said she was visited by the police on Tuesday night and advised to take extra precautions around her personal security.

Ms Donnelly also urged the people of Belfast to reject violence following rioting on Tuesday night in which mobs set homes, a bus and cars on fire, with people targeted based on their race.

In a statement, she said: “I want to make it clear that these threats will not deter me from fulfilling my role as mayor of this great city.

“I will continue to represent everyone. I want to express my full solidarity with the victim of the vicious attack in north Belfast on Monday evening, and also with the community heroes who intervened and saved the victim’s life. They deserve our enormous gratitude for their heroic actions.

“Belfast is home to many people who have come here from other countries and who have made this city their home, who have worked hard, who have looked after our friends and family in our hospitals in their time of need, who have opened businesses and created jobs, and who have become valued members of our community.

“We must stand with these people now in their time of need. Those people who took part in violent racist attacks and destruction last night should be ashamed.”

On Wednesday, Hadi Alodid, 30, was remanded in custody after appearing in court in Belfast charged with attempted murder over Monday’s knife attack in which victim Stephen Ogilvie lost an eye.

The unrest in Belfast has been widely condemned by politicians and authorities across the UK, while pleas have been made for calm on Wednesday night.

Ms Donnelly added: “Burning family homes, burning businesses, burning buses and cars, destroying all round them. Young children being evacuated from their home carrying their teddy bears.

For the latest on this developing story follow our live blog here.

“It is disgraceful and disgusting. It is racism, it is intimidation and it is absolute thuggery.

“I call on those involved in this violence to stop, and stop now. You do not represent Belfast.”

Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill said the threat was “totally unacceptable”.

Stormont ’s First Minister Ms O’Neill and Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey joined Ms Donnelly outside Belfast City Hall on Wednesday to speak to reporters about the development.

“This isn’t acceptable,” said Ms O’Neill.

“This is the mayor of Belfast, who represents all the people here, who’s only been installed 10 days ago, and who wants to be inclusive and welcoming and reach out to everybody.

“But yet, she’s in her first short week in office and she’s been visited by the PSNI to say her life is under threat. That is not acceptable, and if anybody thinks that makes their community safer, it beggars belief to me.

“So, it’s totally unacceptable. And obviously, we stand in solidarity with the mayor here today.”

For the latest on this developing story follow our live blog here.

David Harbour has finally addressed the rumors about tension between him and his Stranger Things co-star Millie Bobby Brown.

Just one week after Harbour’s ex, Lily Allen, released her scathing October 2025 breakup album West End Girl, a report claimed that Brown, 22, had filed a harassment and bullying claim against her co-star, 51, before they started shooting the show’s final season.

Speaking to Variety about the report and its timing, Harbour said it was “a weird thing” that “came out in a weird way.”

“It’s a show that went on for 10 years. We worked together for 10 years during her formative teenage years, playing father and daughter,” he explained. “I don’t know if people have families and friends that you spend a lot of time with for 10 years — you occasionally get in arguments, disagreements.

“In families, it’s OK because you’re just in a disagreement and then you come back together. The problem with a billion-dollar show is that there’s just hundreds of people who want to get involved.”

Harbour even hinted at a future working relationship with Brown, saying: “You’ll see more of me and Millie — 10 years wasn’t enough. There is a special bond there. I love her. She loves me.”

For her part, Brown told Variety via email: “Obviously I changed so much from Season 1 to Season 5, and David was there through all of it. Over time, our relationship became much more collaborative creatively. When you work with someone for that many years, we could really push each other emotionally in scenes. Even though the series has ended, there’s still a lot of gratitude. Getting to share that experience with him for so many years is something I’ll always remember and value.”

Throughout the five seasons of Stranger Things, Harbour played Hawkins police department chief Jim Hopper, who adopted Brown’s character Eleven at the end of the first season.

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Shortly before the season five premiere, the Daily Mail, citing an unnamed source, reported that Brown filed “pages and pages of accusations” against Harbour before filming began on the Netflix series’ final season. Netflix reportedly investigated the claims “for months,” the Mail reported. Harbour and Brown were co-stars on the Netflix megahit for a decade.

Amid the rift rumors in November, Brown and Harbour put on a united front at the Stranger Things season five premiere in Los Angeles and were pictured hugging and smiling while posing for photos on the red carpet at the TCL Chinese Theatre together.

Brown then spoke about her relationship with Harbour shortly after the premiere. Asked what their connection meant to her, she said: “So much, so much. I mean, we play father and daughter.”

“And similar to Noah [Schnapp] and Winona [Ryder], you have an amazing friendship,” she told Entertainment Tonight.

Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says the First Minister could undo the progress he has made over the past two years with his opposition to any inquiry.

John Swinney may rue his party’s temporary win in his forever war of opposing an inquiry into the Peter Murrell scandal.

The SNP and the Scottish Greens clubbed together to defeat a plan for Holyrood to look under the bonnet of Murrell’s theft.

Swinney and the Green co-leaders will be pleased, but their victory could be short-lived.

Thwarting a Holyrood probe, which the SNP and Greens would have controlled, could make way for a more troublesome inquiry led by Westminster.

The Scottish Affairs Committee in the Commons is a cautious body and its work rarely hits the headlines.

But the members of the Labour-dominated Committee have an opportunity to make a name for themselves by delving deeper into a crime of huge interest to the public.

Westminster committees also have more power than their Holyrood equivalents.

MPs and witnesses have parliamentary privilege and can say what they want without being pursued through the courts.

Westminster committees also have the power to send for “persons, papers and records”.

Refusing to cooperate, which may be the favoured tactic of the SNP, would look terrible for Swinney.

If the First Minister tried to obstruct the Committee, they could issue a summons for him to appear.

Snubbing this edict could result in Swinney and co being held in contempt of parliament.

Ultimate sanctions for a continued failure to cooperate include fines and imprisonment – although these have proven to be rare.

Swinney wants the first 100 days of his new administration to focus on the cost of living crisis and combating child poverty.

He now faces the prospect of senior members of his party, including himself, dominating the news for refusing to dodge scrutiny on a crook.

The SNP’s attempt at casting Westminster as an illegitimate authority also undermines their broader goal of independence.

Swinney wants to negotiate indyref2 with the next Labour prime minister when Keir Starmer inevitably falls.

But trashing the same parliament and questioning a Committee’s legitimacy, when most of its members were elected by Scots voters, seems an odd strategic move.

Defiance would harden relations between both governments at a time when Swinney needs Westminster to give him an inch on a second referendum.

A Holyrood inquiry, with a remit agreed by the pro-independence parties, could have been tightly focused and completed quickly.

A Westminster probe, comprised of the SNP’s political enemies, could drag on into 2027.

The SNP inherited by Swinney two years ago was a shambles politically and financially.

The party under Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf had lost trust with the voters and the SNP was punished at the general election.

Swinney regained control and deserved his win on May 7th.

Obstructing an inquiry is a throwback that will remind voters of the bad old days and Swinney needs to get on the front foot.

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Kieran McKenna has stepped down as Ipswich Town head coach to take a break from football.

The 40-year-old coach, who had just guided the Tractor Boys back to the Premier League, had been heavily linked with Fulham after Marco Silva’s departure.

Yet McKenna will not take up that job, nor another job, in the near future as he steps away from the spotlight to focus on spending time with his family.

Following confirmation of his departure, Kieran McKenna said: “It is with a mixture of gratitude, pride, sadness and contentment that I have decided to step down from the honour of managing this historic football club.

“When you have the connection that we have built at this club there is never a good time to say goodbye. However, having achieved a second promotion to the Premier League last season, with another memorable final day in our stadium, and after reflection over the last couple of weeks, I feel this is the right time for me to step aside.

“I do so with great pride at the incredible progress we have made and with huge hope and optimism for the future of the club.

“To manage this club has been an absolute privilege. Over the last five seasons we have been on an incredible journey that has brought so many of the best experiences in my professional and personal life.

“After giving so much to the role over the previous five seasons, I now look forward to taking a break from management and dedicating some time to my family, who have been with me every step of my career so far.”