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One of the best things about Christmas is the variety of TV shows on offer, and this year’s line-up is one of the best in years.
Whether you’re looking for comforting staples or something alternative, we’ve rounded up the best shows airing on the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 over the festive period – no streaming subscriptions required. We are there for you from the run-up to the big day until New Year’s Eve.
In the bull’s eye
ITV1/ITVX – December 22 – 6pm
The iconic gaming series Bullseye is making a comeback after fifteen years from our screens, and presenting it will be none other than Freddie Flintoff, who returns to television after crashing while filming Top Gear. Prepare for lots of 180’s, trivia questions and of course the legendary speedboat ‘Here’s what you could have won…’.
The Big Festive Bake Off 2024
Channel 4/Channel 4 website – Christmas Eve – 8pm
Last year Bake Off broadcast two festive specials and this year the trend continues. On Christmas Eve, soap stars Natalie Cassidy, Dean Gaffney, Shobna Gulati, Chris Bisson and Sheree Murphy will compete for the apron. Then, on January 3 at 7:40 PM, former contestants Lea, Norman, Peter, Kevin and Nicky return.
Little fish
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Christmas Day – 2.35pm
Julia Donaldson’s animated film adaptations are now an annual staple for families (and adults, no judgment here) in the UK. This year the storybook gets a festive retelling: Tiddler, which is about a little fish who gets lost in the ocean. Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham narrates the short film, and she is joined by a stellar cast including Lolly Adefope, Jayde Adams and Rob Brydon.
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Christmas Day – 3.55pm
Strictly returns for its annual festive episode. Typically the participants dance to Christmas classics, and thanks to the cheerful atmosphere we see the 10 paddle come out more than usual. This year’s competitors are Josh Widdicombe, Tayce, Vogue Williams, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Tamzin Outhwaite and Billy Monger.
BBC
Doctor Who Christmas Special
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Christmas Day – 5:10pm
After a hugely successful return to the December 25 slot, Doctor Who is back for a new Christmas adventure. Ncuti Gatwa is joined by Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan, who plays Joy. She checks into a bizarre hotel in London that has discovered the art of time travel. As such, Joy ends up on an adventure with the Doctor through the ages, even going back as far as the dinosaurs.
BBC/Disney/Bad Wolf Studios
Wallace and Gromit: Revenge on the Most Birds
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Christmas Day – 6.10pm
A contender for most-watched film this Christmas is the sixth Wallace and Gromit film ever. Wallace is criticized for one of his inventions when his leprechaun turns evil. However, that’s not the only thing you need to worry about. Feathers McGraw is back – the evil penguin last seen in 1993’s The Wrong Pants.
Call the midwife
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Christmas Day – 8pm
It wouldn’t be Christmas without Call the Midwife, and this two-part festival special should keep fans entertained as they wait for season 14. This year the Turner family is in the spotlight and the cast has promised plenty of drama. You can see the second part on Boxing Day at 7:30 PM.
BBC/Neal Street Productions/Olly Courtney
Gavin and Stacey: The Finale
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Christmas Day – 9pm
Going toe to toe with this year’s most anticipated Christmas slot is the last ever episode of Gavin and Stacey. The new episode picks up five years after Nessa fell to one knee for Smithy, as we visit Barry and Billericay for the last time… and finally find out what happened That fishing trip.
The 1% Club Christmas special
ITV1/ITVX – Boxing Day – 7.30pm
If you want to try using your intellect and humor after a bunch of leftovers on Christmas Day, there’s no better time than at The 1% Club. This popular game show, hosted by comedian Lee Mack, will put a festive twist on the typical brainteasers as the audience is slowly bombarded with questions that gradually become more difficult.
The big pottery throw-down Christmas special
Channel 4/Channel 4 website – Boxing Day – 9pm
This year’s festive special of The Great Pottery Throw Down features a stellar cast of comedians, presenters and actors, including Babatunde Aleshe, Tom Rosenthal, Rachel Riley and Martin Kemp. They all compete to make the nicest clay creations and win the coveted Christmas prize.
Outnumbered
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – Boxing Day – 9.40pm
It’s not just Wallace and Gromit and Gavin and Stacey returning to the BBC in December. The Brockmans are back, with Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner returning to play Pete and Sue, who struggle to raise their now grown children, Jake, Ben and Karen, in their downsized home. They all made a brief return for Children in Need earlier this year.
New Year’s treat from the Taskmaster
Channel 4/Channel 4 website – December 29 – 9pm
Greg Davies and Little Alex Horne return to help you ring in the new year in style. This one-off episode stars Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis, Royle Family star Sue Johnston, former goalkeeper David James, presenter/academic Hannah Fry and All Saints star Melanie Blatt as they all go head-to-head in a series of crazy challenges.
Cunk on life
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – December 30 – 9pm
Diane Morgan’s brilliant alter ego, Philomena Cunk, has gone viral several times thanks to her ridiculously blunt (and often wildly inaccurate) presentation style to academic experts in her various documentaries. She has tackled Britain and the Earth and now comments on life itself.
Gladiators Christmas special
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – New Year’s Day – 6pm
Gladiators were one of the many things to see a revival in 2024, and this New Year’s Day you can watch some of your favorite celebrities compete against the top athletes in a series of grueling challenges, including the infamous Duel. This year’s participants are Rob Beckett, Joel Dommett, Louise Minchin and Ellie Taylor.
The Traitors season 3
BBC One/BBC iPlayer – New Year’s Day – 8pm
While this isn’t strictly a ‘festive’ programme, you’d be absolutely crazy to miss the opening of season 3 of The Traitors, which sees three episodes released to stream on BBC iPlayer on New Year’s Day. The first episode will show who is chosen by Claudia to play a bad game, and will undoubtedly be the start of many, many memes (we all remember “… but Ross is”).
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