It’s the most wonderful time of the year – the week when TV is worth watching again and the schedule is full of Christmas specials and festive movies!
Although this year’s programming will be christened (pardon the pun) the ‘absolutely gutting week of the last two Miranda episodes’, this momentously sad occasion deserves to be commemorated. I mean how could she?! What will January be like without Miranda, Stevie and ‘what I call’ Penny?! How are we supposed to start off the New Year now? Ms Hart has a lot to answer for.
Anyway, whilst I sob into my TV guide, scroll down to discover our top picks for the festive fortnight:
(Programmes listed in no particular order, all details borrowed from the Radio Times website
1. Dr Who – BBC One, Christmas Day, 6.15pm
Peter Capaldi is back for his first festive adventure as the time-travelling adventurer. And in a lovely double whammy, after saying goodbye to Clara at the end of the last episode, she’s back to help him fend off grizzly creatures attacking their base in the Arctic. More I hear you cry? Simon Pegg’s wingman Nick Frost co-stars as Santa Claus – a character who we all got a glimpse of just as the credits rolled last time around. Doctor Who anoraks will also be delighted to see the appearance of Michael Troughton, son of the second Doctor Patrick Troughton
2. Frozen at Christmas – Channel 4, Christmas Day, 8pm
An in-depth look at the huge success of Frozen, the highest-grossing animated film of all time. The programme hears from the makes behind the movie about its creation, production and how a seemingly ordinary Disney princess tale became the phenomenon of 2014. Fanatics, celebrities and critics have their say on its impact and there may be even a sneaky look at what Frozen has in store for 2015…(watch this space)!
3. The Boy in the Dress – BBC One, Boxing Day, 6.55pm
Family comedy adapted from David Walliams’ children’s book about 12-year-old Dennis, an ordinary boy who lives in an ordinary town – but somehow feels different from everyone else. A chance sighting in a fashion magazine introduces him to a whole new world of colour and creativity. But can a boy really wear a dress – and what will his headmaster, dad and friends in the football team think if they find out? Billy Kennedy stars as Dennis, with a supporting cast including Jennifer Saunders, Tim McInnerny, Meera Syal, Steve Speirs, Felicity Montagu, James Buckley and Walliams himself, with a cameo appearance by supermodel Kate Moss.
4. Miranda – BBC One, Christmas Day, 7.15pm
It will be a bittersweet time for fans of Miranda, she has all but confirmed that these will be the final episodes, so here’s to hoping Miranda finally gets her happy ending. Speaking of which, the first episode picks up where the last one left off, with the unlucky-in-love shop owner having received two proposals of marriage – one from dreamboat chef Gary and the other from new boyfriend Mike. Who will she choose, if anyone? And if she does make a decision, could she actually cope with the pressures of being a wife? Tom Ellis and Bo Poraj co-star as the rivals for her affections, with Patricia Hodge, Sarah Hadland and Sally Phillips.
5. Top of the Pops Christmas Special – 2pm, Christmas Day, BBC One
Take That, Ed Sheeran and Ella Henderson feature amongst the artists perfoming the annual season special of Top of the Pops. Fearne Cotton and Reggie Yates return to present a special look-back at the year of pop, with Brit Award winner Tom Odell and some of the best new artists from the year also performing, including Clean Bandit, George Ezra and Gorgon City.
6. Never Mind The Buzzcocks Christmas Special – BBC Two, 22nd December, 10pm.
Rhod Gilbert hosts this festive edition of the comedy quiz, with X Factor judge Louis Walsh, former Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock, comedian Lloyd Langford and singer Melissa Steel joining team captains Phill Jupitus and Noel Fielding for several rounds of music-related silliness with a Christmas twist.
7. Mrs Brown’s Boys – BBC One, Christmas Day, 10.05pm
Brendan O’Carroll’s foul-mouthed matriarch makes a popular return for the first of two festive editions. As Christmas descends on the Brown household, Agnes is intrigued by the arrival of a large box for Cathy – and even more puzzled when it turns out she’s the only one in the family who doesn’t know what’s inside. The concerned mum also isn’t happy at the news that Rory is having plastic surgery, especially when she gets the wrong end of the stick about what sort of nips and tucks he’ll be having. Bad news for Winnie prompts her to make a life-changing announcement, which could spell the end of her lifelong friendship with Agnes, while Buster Brady delivers a new Christmas tree – and true to form, it refuses to cooperate. Brendan O’Carroll stars.
8. 8 Out of 10 Christmas Special – Channel 4, Christmas Day, 9pm
Guests Andrew Flintoff, Ricky Wilson, Jonathan Ross and Roisin Conaty join team captains Sean Lock and Jon Richardson to discuss and dissect a selection of the topical events that have set the British public’s chins wagging in the run-up to Christmas, and there’s also an appearance from The X Factor’s Stevi Ritchie. Host Jimmy Carr oversees the disputes and deliberations.
9. Michael McIntyre’s Very Christmassy Christmas Show – BBC One, Christmas Day, 10.40pm
The comedian presents an hour of festive entertainment. Jamie Oliver cooks up a storm in the kitchen, demonstrating how to make the ultimate leftovers sandwich, Mrs Brown (Brendan O’Carroll) drops in to give her take on the big day, and there’s a VT of Robbie Williams surprising unsuspecting Christmas shoppers with an unforgettable performance. Plus, further fun with Rob Brydon and Barbara Windsor, and music from jazz star Jamie Cullum.
…and finally, don’t forget the soaps! Eastenders, Corrie and Emmerdale all have huge story lines climaxing this Christmas day that are bound to have you gripped to the tv and refusing the leave the sofa, so don’t forget the tin of Roses!
