Need a break from the turkey sandwiches and family squabbles this Christmas? Don’t worry, your TV is there to help you! Join us for a look at this year’s Christmas TV highlights and get into the festival spirit!
Cranford
Deborah Findlay, Judi Dench, Imelda Staunton and Julia McKenzie are back for two 90-minute Cranford specials this Christmas. No one does period drama like the BBC so expect lots of festive gorgeousness and with the legendary Tim Curry joining the cast to play Italian magician, Signor Brunoni.
Expect: The usual Cranford high-jinx, lots of hilarious situations and many a nosy neighbour.
When: Part one starts Sunday 20 December, 9pm, BBC1.
Victoria Wood’s Mid-Life Christmas
Victoria Wood returns to our TV screens this Christmas for an hour of sketches, spoofs and songs. “Christmas can be a difficult time for those struggling with that bonnet-free wasteland between the last Lark Rise and the next Cranford,” says Victoria. So the comedienne presents us with Lark Pies To Cranchesterford, the tale of a young Araminity as she leaves her rural hamlet for a job in the Post and Potato Office.
Expect: Victoria Wood at her best, joined by Julie Walters (natch).
When: Christmas Eve, 9pm, BBC2.
Doctor Who: The End Of Time
There’ll be mixed emotions for fans of the Time Lord this Christmas. On one hand there’s a brand new festive two-parter to look forward to. On the other the show will be David Tennant’s last as The Doctor. The character is set to regenerate again (the genius plot device that allows Dr Who to change actors) for the 11th time. This time former Party Animals star Matt Smith takes on the lead role. How will he do? You don’t have long to wait to find out.
Expect: Lots of snow and cheesy jokes.
When: Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, 6pm, BBC1.
The Gruffalo
TV man of the moment James Cordon tries his hand at voice work in this animated adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s bestseller The Gruffalo. This is a tale about a mouse’s epic journey through a forest with an imaginary monster friend, also featuring the voices of Robbie Coltrane, Helena Bonham Carter, Rob Brydon and Tom Wilkinson. One for the kids to be sure, but there are plenty of laughs for the adults to get their teeth into.
Expect: Gruffalo magic and childhood memories.
When: Christmas Day, 5.30pm, BBC1.
The Royle Family: Golden Egg Cup
This year’s Royle Family Christmas special sees Jim and Barbara debating what they should do with some money their children have given them as a present, all while watching TV of course. Barbara wants a holiday while Jim wants to spend some money on the TV.
Expect: To laugh-out-loud while watching a family watching TV.
When? Christmas Day, 9pm, BBC1.
The Catherine Tate Show
It wouldn’t be Christmas without The Catherine Tate Show. The highlight this year is sure to be her genius Christmas Carol spoof. Starring bad-mouthed nana as Scrooge, she’s visited by the ghosts of Christmases past, present and future to show her the error of her ways. What a f*cking liberty!
Expect: Side-splitting comedy and foul language.
When? Christmas Day, 10.30pm, BBC1.
The Incredibles
Bob Parr is superhero Mr Incredible, but thanks to compensation cases and red tape he’s been forced into hiding. Bored his humdrum suburban life he heads off on the adventure of a lifetime – with the Incredible family in tow.
Expect: More superheroes than a Marvel comic strip, and lots of lessons learnt.
When? Christmas Day, 3.10pm, BBC1
Coronation Street/Eastenders
It’s Christmas and that means an all-out ratings battle between the two biggest soaps, Coronation Street and Eastenders. But who will win?
Expect: News of Sally’s breast cancer breaks just as Kevin and Molly are about to announce they’re in love, will this rock the foundations of Coronation Street once and for all? How many more affairs can one street take?
Meanwhile on Albert Square, Archie Mitchell has drawn the short straw and becomes the latest Walford resident to be killed off at Christmas in Eastenders. Being soap land, no one is free from suspicion. But who ‘dunnit and more importantly how long will we have to wait to find out?
Expect: More tension than a Christmas meal with your family.
When?Coronation Street: Christmas Day, 7pm, ITV1
Eastenders: Christmas Day, 8pm, BBC1
The Ant and Dec Christmas Show
Our two favourite TV presenters return from the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! jungle for their annual special. A throwback to the “old-fashioned Christmas specials” of the 1970s, the boys promise sketches, performances and guests.
Expect: Ant and Dec to become the new Morcambe and Wise.
When? Boxing Day, 7.30pm, ITV1
Susan Boyle: I Dreamed A Dream
Hot off the release of her first album, Susan Boyle sits down with us to share some anecdotes and introduce us to her celebrity pals (no really!). Susan sings for us and big names like Simon Cowell drop in to tell her how great she is.
Expect: Perhaps a rendition of the song that made Susan famous, I Dreamed A Dream, we don’t think that’d be asking too much.
When? 27 December, 10pm, ITV2.
