In a dramatic last-minute scheduling shift, the BBC has pulled a flagship Christmas comedy special from its festive line-up just days before it was due to air.
What Happened to The Mandy Special?
The broadcaster has postponed 'The Mandy Who Knew Too Much', the 2025 Christmas special starring Diane Morgan as the hapless, jobless heroine. The episode was originally scheduled for BBC Two at 10.25pm on Monday, December 22, 2025, but has now been removed entirely. A BBC spokesperson confirmed the special has been moved to 2026.
The decision was made so late that TV listings magazines had already gone to print with the original broadcast details. In its place, viewers will now see a re-run of the 1988 film Beetlejuice at 10.30pm.
Why Was the Episode Postponed?
While the BBC has not given a specific reason, it stated that parts of the episode, which was filmed in January 2025, required updating. A plot synopsis for the special may offer clues, describing a storyline where Mandy 'dabbles in global diplomacy' and affects 'the balance of power in the world'.
The British Comedy Guide reported that the footage had been with the BBC for nearly a year. It speculated that the episode might contain a reference to global diplomacy that has 'recently become an issue'. This speculation coincides with news this week that former US President Donald Trump is suing the BBC, though a direct link has not been confirmed.
The Show's Background and Critical Reception
Mandy, the absurdist sitcom created by and starring Diane Morgan, has run for four seasons since its pilot in 2019, totalling 26 short episodes. It has been a critical darling, with The Times critic Dominic Maxwell previously praising it as 'bold and ludicrous' and 'the funniest thing on TV'.
This would have been the show's second Christmas special, following 'We Wish You a Mandy Christmas' from 2021. The series first aired in full during the August 2020 Covid-19 lockdown.
The BBC maintains that the special has not been cancelled, but is being held back for adjustments before its eventual broadcast next year. The corporation has been approached for further comment on the nature of the required updates.
