Doctor Who won't return to screens for at least three years, sources have claimed, after the BBC announced plans to shelve the series to find new producing partners. On Wednesday, fans were devastated when it was announced that an upcoming Christmas Special was being scrapped, and the series was being put out to tender in a bid to find new producers to secure the show's long-term future. Since then, insiders have widely said that Doctor Who will take a lengthy break to undergo a creative 'rethink', after recent series were blasted by fans for the inclusion of 'woke' storylines.Showrunner Russell T Davies, and production company Bad Wolf TV, have also parted ways with the show, with the latter insisting he'd never written a script for a festive special, or begun a search to cast the next incarnation of The Doctor. Now, it's being reported that the decision for all of those involved to part ways was a mutual one, having realised the show's problems couldn't be masked by a Christmas Special.It's thought that plans to reboot the show and find new partners could take several years, and a new series won't be on screen until 2028. Doctor Who won't return to screens for at least three years, sources have claimed, after the BBC announced plans to shelve the series to find new producing partnersAccording to Deadline, BBC bosses will now launch a competitive tender for a 16th series of Doctor Who, and producers will pitch their ideas to revamp the series.However, the publication reported that respected producers they approached are reluctant to take on the show, with one noting it could be five years before fans see Who back on screens.One producer told the publication: '[It's a] bit of a nightmare for any producer in this market with the shadow of the Disney fallout.'It's hard to see another major U.S. studio replacing Disney. So the budget would be hard to get above £3M ($4M) [per episode] without significant co-pro or insane investment from the distribution arm [BBC Studios], which they will struggle to recoup on sales.'Daily Mail has contacted a representative for the BBC for comment.Earlier this week, the BBC revealed in a statement that plans for a Christmas Special had been scrapped.They 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.'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. On Wednesday, fans were devastated when it was announced that an upcoming Christmas Special was being scrapped'The previously announced new Doctor Who animation series for CBeebies is currently in production. Details of the tender will be announced in due course.'The BBC retains all IP in Doctor Who. BBC Studios will continue to lead the global distribution of Doctor Who as well as licensing, consumer products, digital and immersive experiences on behalf of the BBC.'Davies took to Instagram shortly after the news broke and 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. '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.' Last month, it was claimed BBC bosses had struggled to find an actor to take on the once coveted role that is now considered a 'poisoned chalice'.The sci-fi series was first paused for an extended break after ending its big budget partnership with Disney+ amid criticism about recent plots involving non-binary aliens, incels and even a pregnant male extra-terrestrial.Last year, exiting Ncuti Gatwa's Time Lord regenerated into Billie Piper's former companion Rose Tyler. You can read the full story here. Disney+'s investment in Doctor Who was colossal and the platform is reported to have spent an estimated £100 million on two seasons and specials. Sign up for our Spotlight newsletter, direct from our Showbiz expert Katie Hind.