Christmas is a time to relax, unwind and – let’s be honest – watch quite a lot of telly. After all, with the Great British weather, there are few things more enticing over the festive period than snuggling up on the sofa with something great on the box.
That’s why we’ve compiled a Christmas TV guide of this year’s must-watch TV specials, so you can relax in the knowledge you're not missing anything. From regular favourites like Call the Midwife and Strictly Come Dancing to the year's most-anticipated sitcom return, prepare to be spoilt for choice…
If you’re after a laugh...
Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special
Time TBC, Christmas Day, BBC One
The final ever episode of James Corden and Ruth Jones’ iconic sitcom will pick up five years after the last special’s cliffhanger. Did Smithy accept Nessa’s proposal? How are Pam and Mick getting along now he’s retired? Are Pete and Dawn still bickering non stop? Expect plenty of giggles (and maybe a few tears) as we bid the gang goodbye.
Outnumbered Christmas Special
Time TBC, Christmas Day, BBC One
Another old favourite returns as we catch up with the Brockman family: Pete, Sue, and their three fully grown-up children. In a moment of adversity, the parents decide to get the whole brood (including one grandchild) back together for a traditional Christmas. But fate, neighbours, hyenas and bus replacement services mean, as always with the Brockman clan, the whole thing isn’t straightforward.
If you’re feeling hungry...
Great British Bake Off Christmas Special
Time and date TBC, Channel 4
Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood will return to the tent to judge a team of soap stars’ baking efforts. Eastenders’ Dean Gaffney and Natalie Cassidy, Emmerdale’s Sheree Murphy and Coronation Street’s Shobna Gulati and Chris Bisson will take on the signature, technical and showstopper challengers in an attempt to be named Christmas star baker.
If you fancy a classic...
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special
Time TBC, Christmas Day, BBC One
By Christmas, we’ll already know who’s lifted the regular glitterball, but you can whet your Strictly appetite once more with the annual Christmas special. This year’s line-up includes Tamzin Outhwaite, Vogue Williams and Josh Widdicombe, who’ll each compete with one of the pros in an effort to win the Christmas glitterball.
Gladiators Christmas Special
Time TBC, Christmas Day, ITV1
TV presenter Joel Dommett, comedians Rob Beckett and Ellie Taylor, and broadcaster Louise Minchin will face the Gladiators in a celebrity special. The famous four will first battle the 16 superhuman athletes, before finally taking on each other in the gruelling Eliminator obstacle course.
Call the Midwife Christmas Special
Time TBC, Christmas Day, BBC One
Call the Midwife is a Christmas staple, but this is the first year the special will be split across two 60-minute episodes, rather than the usual 90-minute format. Plot details are being kept firmly under wraps, but we do know Helen George hasn’t officially left the show, so Trixie may well return from New York for a surprise appearance.
Doctor Who Christmas Special
Time TBC, Christmas Day, BBC One
Ncuti Gatwa returns as doctor for this year’s Christmas special, which also stars Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan. Showrunner Russell T Davies says: ‘I can't give away much more but work has begun on it already, and it's mad, it's one of the maddest Christmas specials you'll ever see. It's epic, it goes to so many different places. And it's a great story of who the Doctor is when he's alone.’
If you want a singalong...
An Evening with Dua Lipa
Time TBC, Christmas Day, ITV1
Microphones at the ready: Dua Lipa’s Albert Hall Concert will air exclusively on ITV this Christmas. She’s accompanied by a 53-piece orchestra, seven-piece band and, for one surprise duet, Elton John.
Wham! Last Christmas Unwrapped
Time TBC, Christmas Day, BBC Two
Marking 40 years since Wham’s iconic Christmas track was released, this documentary will feature Andrew Ridgeley, Pepsi and Shirlie and archive footage of George Michael to reveal how the song and video came to be.
If you want to test you knowledge...
The 1% Club Christmas Special
Time and date TBC, ITV1
Lee Mack will return with his compulsive knowledge quiz, as 100 contestants compete to win up to £100,000. The festive twist? All the questions will have something to do with Christmas.
The Chase Celebrity Christmas Special
Time and date TBC, ITV1
The Chase will air two Christmas specials this festive season, both seeing four celebs take on the famous chasers (in fancy dress, of course). Will the famous faces manage to secure the cash for their chosen charities, or be sent home empty handed?
