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Planning on spending time relaxing over Christmas? You might be wondering what to watch on TV!
Luckily for you, we’ve put together this fabulous guide to TV in the UK over the festive period. There is something for everyone; animated adaptations of wonderful children’s stories, saucy dramas, and hilarious comedy specials, so sit back, relax, and enjoy.
Love from Team BBY! Xx
BBC One
Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special
Christmas Day at 8:30pm. Parents everywhere are on tenterhooks for this reboot of the absolute favourite that is the Gavin and Stacey series. Watch the teaser below!
A Christmas Carol
22nd-24th December at 9pm. This latest remake of the classic Charles Dickens tale looks fantastic – see the teaser below!
Worzel Gummidge
Boxing Day at 6:20pm, 27th December at 7pm. This children’s favourite will be given a festive reboot, with two hour-long episodes.
Credit: BBC
Call The Midwife
Christmas Day at 7pm. This classic has become a traditional Christmas Day watch, and this Christmas edition will mark the start of the ninth season (as if there have already been eight already)! The team will be travelling to some remote Scottish islands to support the residents – this promises to be a lovely watch.
Credit: BBC
Mimi and The Mountain Dragon
Boxing Day at 3:20pm. Based on the lovely Michael Morpurgo book, this 25 minute adaptation looks like it’ll be a great watch for your children.
Credit: BBC
Not Going Out Christmas Special
Christmas Eve at 10pm. This Christmas special of Lee Mack’s famous comedy series will tell the tale of the cast setting out on a last minute mission for their children, and the ensuing chaos…
Credit: BBC
Mrs Brown’s Boys
Christmas Day at 10:30pm, New Year’s Day at 10:30pm. There aren’t many details about this Christmas special edition of the cult classic series (last aired in 2013) but we’re excited to see what’s coming!
Credit: BBC
The Snail and The Whale
Christmas Day at 2:30pm. This adaptation of the original story by The Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson is set to be a hit for the kids on Christmas day!
Credit: BBC
The Trial of Christine Keeler
29th-30th December at 9pm. This historical drama will be based in the 1960’s and is a 6 part series covering a saucy scandal! You may recognise Sophie Cookson (main character) from the Kingsman films!
Credit: BBC
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special
Christmas Day at 4:40pm. We know loads of you will be excited for this! 6 famous faces from the previous series will be taking to the dance floor in a bid to win the special Christmas trophy.
Credit: BBC
Casualty – 21st December at 20.40
EastEnders – 23rd December at 20.00
Still Open All Hours Christmas Special -23rd December at 20.10
The Gruffalo – 24th December at 9.45
The Gruffalo’s Child – 24th December at 10.15
Kung Fu panda 3 – 24th December at 10.40
Toy Story 3 – 24th December at 13.25
Frozen – 24th December at 15.00
Wallace and Gromit: The Wrong Trousers – 24th December at 16.35
Beauty and the Beast (2017) – 24th December at 17.30
Top of the Pops Christmas Special – 25th December at 11.35
Moana – 25th December at 12.55
Wallace and Gromit: A Close Shave – 25th December at 11.00
Finding Dory – 25th December at 15.10
Michael McIntyre’s Big Christmas Show – 25th December at 18.00, BBC One
The Good Dinosaur – 26th December at 9.00
Wreck-It Ralph – 26th December at 10.25
Spy in the Snow – 26th December at 12.00
Room on the Broom – 26th December at 13.25
The Boss Baby – 26th December at 13.50
The Jungle Book (2016) – 26th December at 14.45
Paddington 2 – 26th December at 19.20
Celebrity Mastermind – 26th December at 18.30
A Question of Sport at 50 – 26th December at 20.30
Have I Got 2019 News for You – 26th December at 21.30
Top of the Pops New Year – 30th December at 16.45
Chicken Run – New Year’s Eve at 9.30
The Farmer’s Llamas – New Year’s Eve at 10.50
The Railway Children – New Year’s Eve at 11.20
Shrek the Third – New Year’s Eve at 15.10
Gangsta Granny – New Year’s Eve at 16.35
Pointless – New Year’s Eve at 17.45
Holby City – New Year’s Eve at 20.05
Dame Edna Rules The Waves – New Year’s Eve at 21.05
The Graham Norton Show: New Year’s Eve Show – New Year’s Eve at 22.20
Shaun the Sheep Movie – New Year’s Day 9.30
The Sound of Music – New Year’s Day at 14.30
Miranda: My Such Fun Celebration – New Year’s Day at 17.45
Doctor Who – New Year’s Day at 18.55
BBC Two
The Hairy Bikers Home for Christmas – Friday 2oth December – 17.15
A Merry Tudor Christmas with Lucy Worsley – Friday 20th December – 21.00
Hugh Grant: A Life On Screen – 23rd December at 21.00
Christmas University Challenge – 24th December at 19.30
Dragons Den: Pitches To Riches – 24th December at 20.00
Gareth Malone’s Christmas Concert – 24th December at 21.00
Kylie at Glastonbury 2019 – 25th December at 23.10
Top Gear Nepal Special – 29th December at 21.00
Only Connect Christmas Special – 30th December at 20.00
Frankie Boyle’s 2019 New World Order – 30th December at 22.00
The Best of 2010-2015 Wipe with Charlie Brooker – 30th December at 22.45
BBC Four
Martin’s Close
Christmas Eve at 10pm – Featuring the amazing Peter Capaldi of Dr Who fame (and a cousin of the singer Lewis Capaldi, random fact!), this drama is based on the ghost story by MR James, and follows a court case where the defendant is haunted by the ghost of his dead victim.
Credit: BBC
ITV
Bancroft
New Years Day at 9pm. DCI Bancroft returns for a new three part series!
Credit: ITV
It’s Not The Robbie Williams Christmas Show
8th December at 8pm. This has now passed by the time of writing – we hope that anyone who caught it enjoyed the classics he performed!
Credit: ITV
Ball and Boe – A Very Merry Christmas
Friday 20th December at 9:30pm – 10:30pm. This show featuring the two famous crooners promises an hour of amazing festive music!
Credit: ITV
Channel 4
The Great Christmas Bake Off
Christmas Day at 8pm, and New Year’s Day at 7:40pm. The first edition will feature favourites from previous seasons and a performance from Status Quo, and the second edition will feature the cast of the hilarious comedy Derry Girls!
Credit: Channel 4
Sky One
Cinderella: After Ever After
24th December at 8pm (also on NOW TV) with a Christmas Day repeat at 5pm. This drama featuring the hilarious David Williams explores the story of Cinderella after her happily ever after, without the rose tinted perspective delivered by Disney! We can’t wait.
Credit: Sky One
Have we missed anything? Let us know in the comments!
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