Why is Call The Midwife not on BBC tonight? Fans gutted as show taken off air

There will be widespread disappointment amongst fans of Call The Midwife on Sunday night, as the show will not air in its usual 8pm slot.

Call The Midwife has been one of the BBC's biggest dramas for over a decade now, pulling in audiences of close to 8 million for each of its episodes so far this year. The show's 13th series has given fans plenty of cause for concern, with serious cracks appearing in the relationship of newlyweds and much loved couple, Trixie and Matthew, with his financial dire straits also having the potential to put the future of Nonatus House under threat.

And with reports last year that Olly Rix, the actor who plays Matthew, had been axed by Call The Midwife producers, viewers are now concerned that the honeymoon period will be well and truly over for him and Helen George's Trixie, with a shock split on the cards. There was also dramatic scenes a week earlier when the Turner's daughter May nearly drowned at sea during, what was meant to be a very peaceful trip to the seaside.

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Those hoping to settle down on the sofa to see what the penultimate episode of series 13 will be disappointed, as there will be no Call The Midwife on Sunday, February 18 at 8pm or any other time, with the hit drama completely missing from schedules.

Why isn't Call The Midwife on BBC tonight?

Just like it was last year, Call The Midwife has been cancelled for a week to make way for coverage of the BAFTAs. The news was broken on the show's social media accounts last weekend, with a post on the Call The Midwife X page reading: "Due to the live BAFTA Film Awards next Sunday, #CallTheMidwife Series 13 will continue in TWO WEEKS TIME - February 25th at 8pm on @BBCOne."

A reminder to fans appeared on the account on Sunday, which read: "Did you get the message? #CallTheMidwife won't be on this Sunday because of the BAFTA Film Awards, but we'll be back next week at the usual time!"

Call The Midwife being taken off air for a week comes days after it took home the trophy for Best Family Drama at this year's TV Choice awards.