I thought I would add my experience.
We booked a holiday without checking passports two weeks ago, we’re flying out on the 1st of August. Of course, my passport would have to run out in October when I need 3 months on it to fly!
As you can see in my history, I applied for a renewal on the 12th of July, and passport turned up yesterday, the 24th. I sent my old passport to Durham, for what that’s worth.
I didn’t do anything extra, like get in contact with the passport office.
Good luck to anyone else who ends up on this page like I did a couple of weeks ago!
Application history
Passport printed and sent 7:04am on 22 July 2020
Application approved 2:56pm on 20 July 2020
Documents received 10:05am on 18 July 2020
Application received 11:17am on 12 July 2020
Application submitted 11:16am on 12 July 2020