Revealed: Your festive sneak peek of the 60 sensational Christmas shows you CANNOT miss 

Welcome to our fabulous sneak preview of the 60 best shows on TV this Christmas. Epic new dramas… enchanting animations… dazzling festive specials… must-see movies – there’s a feast of unmissable entertainment coming your way. 

Dates haven’t been confirmed – we’ll give you the full details in our bumper Christmas special next month – but you can start wrapping up your festive viewing today! Mike Mulvihill, TV Editor.

TOP TEN FESTIVE MOVIES

1. DOWNTON ABBEY 

ITV

Weekend reporters rounded up 60 must-watch films and shows airing throughout the festive season – including Downton Abbey, starring Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern (pictured) as the Earl and Countess of Grantham

All your favourites return to the Abbey to support the Earl and Countess of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern) when a royal visit is announced.

2. ENCANTO 

DISNEY+

Mirabel (pictured) thinks she’s the only child in her family without a superpower in Disney+’ s Encanto 

In this charming tale from Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mirabel is the only child in her family without a superpower – or so she thinks…

3. THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2

BBC1

Max (pictured) and Duke cause chaos when they leave the safety of their New York apartment to visit a farm in The Secret Life Of Pets 2 

Cue chaos when city pooches Max and Duke must leave the safety of their New York apartment with their owners to visit a farm.

4. SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME 

BBC1

Tom Holland (pictured) stars as Peter Parker, in a battle against an evil nemesis in Spider-Man: Far From Home 

On a class trip to Europe, Peter Parker (Tom Holland, above) is forced to battle an evil nemesis who’s not what he seems.

5. MARY POPPINS RETURNS 

BBC1

Emily Blunt (pictured) stars as the nanny in Mary Poppins Returns airing on BBC1

Emily Blunt takes on the role of the indomitable nanny, who returns to the Banks home to help an adult Michael solve his troubles.

6. ABOMINABLE 

BBC1

Yi (pictured) discovers a young Yeti on her apartment block roof in BBC1’s Abominable 

Yi discovers a young Yeti on her apartment block roof and tries to help him home – but wealthy baddie Burnish is on their tail…

7. DON’T LOOK UP

NETFLIX

A comet threatens to destroy Earth in Netflix’s Don’t Look Up staring Meryl Streep as President (pictured) 

A comet threatens to destroy Earth but no one, including the President (Meryl Streep) is listening in this star-studded satirical comedy.

8. LAST TRAIN TO CHRISTMAS

SKY CINEMA AND NOW

Michael Sheen and Nathalie Emmanuel (pictured) star in time-travel tale Last Train To Christmas on Sky Cinema and Now 

Michael Sheen and Nathalie Emmanuel (right) appear in this intriguing time-travel tale that starts in the 80s.

9. JUDY 

BBC2

Renée Zellweger’s portrayal of Judy Garland (pictured) hits BBC2 screens this festive season 

Renée Zellweger won an Oscar for her portrayal of Judy Garland as the Hollywood legend struggled with addiction on her final tour of Britain in 1968.

10. A CHRISTMAS NUMBER ONE

SKY CINEMA 

Sparks fly when band manager Meg (Freida Pinto) battles singer Blake (Iwan Rheon) for a Christmas hit.

HIGH DRAMA 

Extra-marital secrets, Society scandal and an epic remake of a classic adventure 

11. AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS 

BBC1

Pictured: David Tennant as Phileas Fogg, with Ibrahim Koma in the role of Passepartout and Leonie Benesch as Abigail Fix in Around The World In 80 Days 

When childhood friend Nyle Bellamy challenges Phileas Fogg to circle the globe in just 80 days, with a large cash prize as the incentive, he reckons his money is safe. But Fogg – played by David Tennant in this new version of the famous 19th-century Jules Verne story – believes he’s equal to the task.

Accompanied by his valet Passepartout and aspiring journalist Abigail Fix, he uses boats, hot air balloons, trains and camels in this riveting eight-part adventure filmed in South Africa and Romania.

Claire Foy (pictured) plays Margaret, Duchess of Argyll in BBC1’s A Very British Scandal 

12. A VERY BRITISH SCANDAL 

BBC1

Claire Foy plays Margaret, Duchess of Argyll, whose racy private life was revealed in a bitter divorce from her husband in 1963. Starring Paul Bettany as the Duke of Argyll, the three-part drama will attempt to show Margaret in a different light, as a victim of the judicial system rather than the scarlet woman she was labelled.

13. THE HOLIDAY 

CHANNEL 5

In this four-parter, Kate (Jill Halfpenny) discovers her husband Sean (Owen McDonnell) is having an affair while they’re on holiday with their two children and four of her best friends. As Kate tries to discover more about her husband’s betrayal, it emerges that one of the people she most trusted will do anything to stop her.

14. THE TOURIST

BBC1

A trip across the Australian outback turns into a nightmare for Fifty Shades Of Grey star Jamie Dornan’s character in this tense six-part thriller. 

Known as The Man, he is being hounded by the driver of a huge truck who forces him off the road. Jamie’s character later wakes up injured in hospital, still being pursued by characters from his past.

15. STAY CLOSE 

NETFLIX

A detective unable to let go of a missing person case, a photographer fallen on hard times, a working mum with secrets – their lives are about to be rocked to the core by a shocking revelation in this eight-part story. Cold Feet’s James Nesbitt stars, alongside Richard Armitage, Cush Jumbo and Sarah Parish.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw stars as troubled Jane (pictured) in BBC1’s The Girl Before 

16. THE GIRL BEFORE 

BBC1

Troubled Jane (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) can’t believe her luck when she gets the chance to move into a beautiful, ultra-minimalist house designed by an enigmatic architect (David Oyelowo). But there’s a catch. Occupants have to abide by his list of exacting rules – or face instant eviction. 

Jane finds the house changing her in unexpected ways and when she delves into its past, discovers something shocking about the woman who lived there before. The four-part series is based on the 2016 novel of the same name by JP Delaney.

GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST AND PRESENT   

17. THE MEZZOTINT 

BBC2

Nikesh Patel, Rory Kinnear and Robert Bathurst sense something odd in The Mezzotint on BBC2 

The curator of a university art museum feels a surge of excitement when he acquires a beautiful engraving. But Williams (Rory Kinnear) quickly senses there’s something odd about the picture of an unknown country house with sweeping lawns. 

Every time he looks at it, human figures appear then disappear. The 30-minute drama (the title of which refers to a piece of art carved on a copper plate) has been scripted by Mark Gatiss from a 1904 tale by British ghost story writer MR James.

18. GHOSTS 

The spirit of a Georgian noblewoman, believes Santa’s visited Button House in a seasonal episode of Ghosts

BBC1

In this seasonal episode of the hit sitcom, Kitty, the spirit of a Georgian noblewoman, believes Santa’s visited Button House where she and the other spooks live. A man has taken up residence in a tent in the grounds, giving Kitty (Lolly Adefope) the wrong idea. 

The mansion’s owner Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) asks the ghosts, including the Captain and poet Thomas, what to do about the mystery visitor, but their guidance leaves much to be desired. Jennifer Saunders guest stars as Lady Button’s mother.

19. THE AMAZING MR BLUNDEN 

SKY MAX

Simon Callow stars as the mysterious Mr Blunden (pictured) in a Christmas adventure airing on Sky Max 

Teenagers Jamie and Lucy Allen have a Christmas adventure courtesy of the mysterious Mr Blunden (Simon Callow), who invites their mum to be a caretaker of a dilapidated country house that’s said to be haunted. 

They meet two ghostly children in the grounds, but it turns out they’ve actually travelled from 1821, desperate to escape the murderous clutches of scary Mr and Mrs Wickens (Tamsin Greig and Mark Gatiss). With Mr Blunden’s help, Jamie and Lucy go back in time on a mission to save their new pals. Mark Gatiss, the writer and director, describes the show as ‘magical, with scary villains, melancholy, laughter and joy.’

FESTIVE FUN 

20. ALAN CARR’S EPIC GAME SHOW: THE PRICE IS RIGHT 

ITV

Funnyman Alan (below) will be inviting members of the public to ‘Come on down’ as one of ITV’s most popular game shows of the 80s and 90s is given a revival. Contestants are invited to guess the prices of household items on display in order to stay in the hunt for big prizes. The most successful contestant has the chance to play in the show’s finale, where a sackload of goodies will be up for grabs.

21. AND JUST LIKE THAT…

SKY COMEDY/NOW

Cynthia Nixon, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kristin Davis star as stylish pals Miranda, Carrie and Charlotte (pictured left to right) in a follow-up to Sex And The City on Sky Comedy/ Now 

The eagerly awaited follow-up to Sex And The City is here… but without Samantha Jones after the actress who played her, Kim Cattrall, refused to take part. Back though are stylish pals Miranda, Carrie and Charlotte (l-r, Cynthia Nixon, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kristin Davis), along with the usual fabulous fashions and a generous dash of racy romance. 

The show’s producers have deliberately kept the storyline under wraps, but there are rumours that Carrie’s longstanding love affair and marriage to Mr Big, played by Chris Noth, is over after on-set photographs showed a scene featuring her kissing another man.

22. GAYNOR & RAY

BBC1

Gaynor and Ray Davies are in their 50s and starting over, keen to make their second marriages a success after disastrous first ones. But will the cracks appear when they head to the Scottish Highlands on honeymoon? Will their new partner’s previously unrevealed traits make them doubt the wisdom of taking a second trip up the aisle?

Gavin & Stacey’s Ruth Jones and Rob Brydon – Nessa and Uncle Bryn in the classic sitcom – take the leads in this one-off 35-minute comedy.

23. BARNEY AND BRADLEY WALSH: BREAKING DAD AT CHRISTMAS 

ITV

Paul O’Grady (pictured) compares celebrity answers to the same questions asked to members of the public in an ITV special 

It will be a miracle if Bradley Walsh doesn’t suffer some kind of injury while filming this show in Iceland. Planned activities include whizzing across icy ground on a snowmobile and ice climbing. There to help (and hinder) him will be his son Barney, in the latest chapter of the charming father-and-son travel show.

24. PAUL O’GRADY’S SATURDAY NIGHT LINE UP CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 

ITV

How does Dame Joan Collins compare herself to fellow contestants like Julian Clary and Sunetra Sarker when asked seasonal posers such as, how high do you come on Santa’s naughty list? Cue much merriment as host Paul reveals the public’s answers to the same questions.

25. BLANKETY BLANK 

BBC1

Bradley Walsh (pictured) is joined by celebrity guests including Angela Rippon, Richard E Grant and Tom Allen on BBC1’s Blankety Blank 

From the moment host Bradley Walsh arrives on stage grinning from ear to ear in Santa’s sleigh, we know we’re in for a rib-tickling treat. The celebrity guests filling in the blanks and helping contestants win prizes are Angela Rippon, Richard E Grant, comedians Tom Allen and Sarah Millican, plus Mel B and McFly’s Danny Jones. To get them in the mood, all the celebrities will be in fancy dress.

26. GOGGLEBOX: FESTIVE SPECIAL 

CHANNEL 4

Stand by for a triple helping of the show in which viewers judge TV’s hits and misses from their sofas. As well as episodes reviewing this year’s Christmas shows and the Best of 2021, there’s a celebrity round-up of the year featuring the likes of Gyles Brandreth and Maureen Lipman.

27. NOT GOING OUT 

BBC1

Lee is unhappy, after Lucy books tickets for the local panto in a one-off 45-minute episode of Not Going Out on BBC1 (pictured)

The longest-running sitcom on air returns with the usual mayhem. The one-off 45-minute episode focuses on Lucy booking tickets for the local panto, but Lee (played by Lee Mack, right, with Sally Bretton as Lucy) is unhappy because he isn’t a fan and – more importantly – because it stars Jason Donovan, who Lucy’s had a crush on for decades.

FAMILY FAVOURITES

The sweet and the sinister! David Walliams’s alternative take on Hansel & Gretel is just one of the family-friendly gems guaranteed to wow children and adults alike…

28. HANSEL & GRETEL: AFTER EVER AFTER 

SKY

Bill Bekele stars as Hansel alongside Lily Aspell as Gretel (pictured) in David Walliams’s exploration of what happened after the pair lived happily ever after on Sky 

David Walliams’s collection of alternative fairy tales continues as he explores what happened after Hansel and Gretel lived happily ever after. 

Following on from where the Brothers Grimm finished, Hansel and Gretel have escaped the witch’s grasp to discover that the villagers have been enchanted by a mysterious stranger plying them with sweet treats.

They soon realise they have no choice but to return to the witch’s gingerbread house for a showdown.

29. ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

CHANNEL 5 

Helen and James (Rachel Shenton and Nicholas Ralph) can’t decide whether to have lunch with her father and sister at Heston Grange or at Skeldale with Mrs Hall and the vets. Will Helen’s loyalty to her family win the day? A much-loved pet is seriously ill and Siegfried (Samuel West) has to bring it in for emergency treatment.

Meanwhile, James is anxious ahead of the celebrations – he’s received a card from his father in Glasgow asking him to call his parents on Christmas Day and it’s got him worried.

30. STRICTLY CHRISTMAS 

BBC1 

Judges including Craig Revel Horwood and Shirley Ballas (pictured) oversee six ex-contestants competing to win a special Christmas prize 

It’s been a stand-out year for Strictly, with the first-ever male pairing and an incredibly high standard all round, according to the judges (including Craig Revel Horwood and Shirley Ballas). The dancers have been whittled down to three couples who’ll battle it out for the coveted glitter ball. A few days later, six ex-contestants compete to win the special Christmas prize, with performances from Jamie Cullum, Gary Barlow and Sheridan Smith. 

31. DOCTOR WHO NEW YEAR’S DAY SPECIAL 

BBC1

This is the first of three special episodes that’ll see the 13th doctor morphing into someone new by next October, marking the end for Jodie Whittaker’s version of the Timelord. Yaz and Dan (Mandip Gill and John Bishop) are investigating strange events in a storage unit run by Sarah (Aisling Bea). Customer Nick (Adjani Salmon) visits his unit every New Year’s Eve, but this year turns out to be a little different…

32. THE BOOK OF BOBAFETT 

DISNEY+

This nine-episode Star Wars spin-off focuses on the bounty hunter Boba Fett. The Republic is back in charge while the Rebel Alliance has its own tensions within the leadership. Boba Fett (Temuera Morrison, far left, with Ming-Na Wen as sidekick Fennec Shand) takes over Jabba the Hut’s former palace on Tatooine, claiming that he’ll rule ‘with respect’ rather than fear.

33. CALL THE MIDWIFE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 

BBC1

In this year’s Call The Midwife Christmas Special, the gang are planning the wedding of Lucille (pictured right, with Shelagh and Trixie) to Cyril 

Christmas wouldn’t be the same without the annual trip to see what the nuns and midwives of Nonnatus House are up to. For this 90-minute special the perennials are all here. Fred (Cliff Parisi) is dressed as Santa, there’s a Nativity plus lots of babies and plenty of tears. 

This year the gang are planning the wedding of Lucille to Cyril, but something happens that throws a serious spanner in the works. There’s plenty of medical drama too – one ailment is solved using leeches, but there’s heartbreak when the midwives deal with an expectant mother who’s a drug addict.

34. WORZEL GUMMIDGE 

BBC1

Mackenzie Crook’s reimagining of the talking scarecrow is a ray of summer sunshine at Christmas and there are two one-hour films this year. The first sees a flock of rare birds turning up to Scatterbrook Farm. 

The pressure is on Worzel to scare them before some avid twitchers arrive. In the other, Worzel is desperate to go to the funfair. Is it true there’s an organ that can send humans to sleep, allowing scarecrows the run of the place? Worzel must find out.

35. DEATH IN PARADISE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 

BBC1

Death In Paradise marks its tenth anniversary with a 90-minute special, where the team investigate a presumed suicide. Pictured: Ralf Little and Josephine Jobert

The Caribbean murder mystery series marks its tenth anniversary with a 90-minute whodunnit, guest-starring Mathew Baynton and Juliet Stevenson. It starts with the presumed suicide of a shipping magnate, but then the team – including DI Neville Parker and DS Florence Cassell (Ralf Little and Josephine Jobert) – learn that a cab driver in London has received a Christmas card that contains some vital information…

36. ALL STAR MUSICALS AT CHRISTMAS 

Fern Britton (pictured) is among the celebrities put to the test on ITV’s All Star Musicals At Christmas 

ITV

Fern Britton (right), Ben Miller and Gyles Brandreth are among the celebrities putting their singing to the test, performing with a full orchestra in a bid to be crowned All Star Musicals Champion. West End legend Elaine Paige is among the mentors and there’ll be performances from theatre stars John Barrowman and Samantha Barks.

37. THE LARKINS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 

ITV

This reboot of the classic 90s series attracted a firm fan base when it aired this autumn and now the Larkins are back for some feature-length fun. The story sees lovers Mariette and Charley – and Charley’s family – descend on the Larkins for Christmas. 

Everyone is excited about the premiere of a new panto but a power cut has left the village without light or heat. Joanna Scanlan, who plays Ma Larkin, says, ‘It reminds you of what Christmas is about, with lots of laughs on the way.’

38. SHAUN THE SHEEP: THE FLIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS 

BBC1

This year’s half-hour film (pictured) is Shaun’s first Christmas adventure since 2015’s The Farmer’s Llamas

The nation’s favourite animated sheep is up to no good again in this caper. The half-hour film is Shaun’s first Christmas adventure since 2015’s The Farmer’s Llamas and it starts with the farm gearing up for the festivities. 

There’s a Christmas market, lots of snow and all the decorations go up but things go awry when a mission to find bigger stockings for the flock leads to little lamb Timmy going missing. Cue chaos… and a huge amount of fun.

39. THE ABOMINABLE SNOW BABY 

CHANNEL 4

The Abominable Snow Baby narrated by David Harewood, tells the story of what happens when a 14ft-tall snow baby (pictured) appears in a small English town 

With hits such as the ever-popular The Snowman and last year’s Quentin Blake’s Clown, Channel 4 specialises in beautiful adaptations of some of the nation’s most popular children’s books at Christmas. This year’s is by the late Terry Pratchett, who’s sold over 80 million books worldwide. 

Narrated by David Harewood, it tells the story of what happens when a small English town is hit by unprecedented snowfall – and the appearance of a 14ft-tall snow baby. At first the creature terrifies the townsfolk, all except an indomitable Granny (voiced by Julie Walters), who looks after the snow baby and helps the community overcome their fears.

40. SUPERWORM 

BBC1

This year’s Julia Donaldson children story follows a Superworm (pictured) who saves baby toads who’ve run out into the road and beetles stuck in wells 

Julia Donaldson’s children’s stories, illustrated by the brilliant Axel Scheffler, have become Christmas Day favourites. This half-hour animation features the pair’s first ever hero – a Superworm who’s strong and long, saves baby toads who’ve run out into the road and beetles stuck in wells, and can be a skipping rope for bored bees. 

But then the Wizard Lizard hears about Superworm’s many talents and sends a crow to kidnap him, putting our hero in danger. The all-star cast includes Matt Smith as Superworm, Olivia Colman as the narrator and Rob Brydon, who has starred in all of Julia’s adaptations, as the nasty Crow.

SOME ANIMAL MAGIC?   

Lemurs (pictured) are among Sir David’s favourite recordings from the natural world featured in a BBC1 documentary 

41. ATTENBOROUGH’S WONDER OF SONG 

BBC1

Sir David not only chooses his favourite seven recordings from the natural world – among them the songs of lemurs (left), humpback whales and lyrebirds – but also explains their personal significance in this fascinating documentary. ‘All the recordings broke new ground,’ he says. 

‘Some are lovely sounds, some are surprising – and one almost broke my heart.’ The documentary also examines new scientific evidence about the use of animal song to help species survive, and about the previously neglected subject of the female bird voice.

42. THE DOG HOUSE CHRISTMAS 

CHANNEL 4

Channel 4’s The Dog House Christmas takes a look inside Wood Green animal shelter

Prepare to have your heart melted by the guests of Wood Green animal shelter. They include Clarence the one-eyed dachshund, who’s looking for a home but needs to overcome his shyness if he’s to win over nurse Holly and her boyfriend Dom. 

The three get off to a rocky start, but that first cuddle could prove crucial. Meanwhile, Michael the lurcher is hoping to hit it off with Nhung and her two excited children, and Bentley the portly pug and widower Ramesh bond over a mutual love of festive treats.

43. MATT BAKER: OUR CHRISTMAS IN THE DALES 

MORE4

Sheep, dogs, chickens, miniature donkeys and perhaps even the odd turkey can be expected to make an appearance for the cameras in one of TV’s most heartwarming documentaries. 

Matt quit his role as host of The One Show to help run the family farm in County Durham, and there are still plenty of chores to be completed before he, wife Nicola, their children Luke and Molly and Matt’s parents Mike and Janice can enjoy their Christmas dinner. This one-off show also looks back at a challenging past 12 months on the farm.

44. WELCOME TO EARTH

DISNEY+

Hollywood’s Will Smith (pictured) sets off to see the world in style in a six-part series airing on Disney+ 

Hollywood’s Will Smith may be a high-flyer, but he says at the start of this stunning six-part series that having never climbed a mountain or swum in a lake, ‘I’m beginning to think I might be missing something.’ So he sets off to see the world in style, from deserts to ice caps, volcanoes to the depths of the sea, discovering jaw-dropping wildlife – including bioluminescent sea creatures and migrating wildebeest – along the way.

FACTUAL 

Winter’s wonder lands! Huskies in Norway, opera in the Alps… there are some majestic experiences in store in these seasonal documentaries and factual shows

45. SUSAN CALMAN’S CHRISTMAS JOURNEY 

CHANNEL 5

Scottish comedian Susan Calman (pictured) visits snowy Norway at Christmas in a two-part series on Channel 5

Fasten your seatbelts for a two-part ride around snowy Norway in which the Scottish comedian manages to find Christmas at every turn. A lavish traditional Norwegian feast awaits her in the breathtaking Lofoten Islands before some energetic activities allow her to burn off the calories. 

The second part of her journey involves husky dog sledding and a chance to chop down her own Christmas tree. She then tries to sneak it onto the cruise ship that brought her from Dover to Norway.

46. WINTER JOURNEY 

BBC4

Franz Schubert’s Winterreise (Winter Journey) is a musical study of isolation, so where better to perform excerpts than 7,500ft off the ground in a remote tower in the Swiss Alps? Although Schubert wrote it with a tenor voice in mind, it’s the German/British baritone Benjamin Appl trekking to the top of the tower to sing, accompanied by pianist James Baillieu. 

John Bridcut’s powerful documentary also features clips of other greats from the opera world performing Winter Journey, one of the last works composed by the brilliant Austrian before his death in 1828.

Quentin Blake (pictured) tells the story of his creative life in a programme on BBC2 

47. QUENTIN BLAKE, THE DRAWING OF MY LIFE

BBC2

The well-loved illustrator and author shows little sign of slowing down at the age of 89. In this film he tells the story of his creative life in words and pictures – by creating a 30ft canvas with classic characters and key moments from his career. 

One of his defining collaborations was with Roald Dahl, whose widow Felicity gives insights into their close relationship. Other friends and admirers taking part include David Walliams, Joanna Lumley, Peter Capaldi, Ore Oduba, Josie Long and Lauren Child.

48. GONE CHRISTMAS FISHING 

BBC2

Paul Whitehouse and Bob Mortimer (pictured) head north to the rivers Tyne and Eden in search of English salmon in a BBC2 show about fishing 

They’ve become one of our most cherished double-acts, a pair of comedians in their early 60s who’ve battled back from serious ill health to enjoy a new lease of life as celebrity fishermen. Paul Whitehouse and Bob Mortimer have pulled on the waders for another memorable episode, heading north to the rivers Tyne and Eden in search of English salmon. Ted, the Patterdale terrier owned by the show’s executive producer Lisa Clark, is along for the ride – and for any leftover fishy morsels.

49. EXTRAORDINARY ESCAPES WITH SANDI TOKSVIG: CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 

CHANNEL 4

Sandi’s quirky Extraordinary Escapes shows have seen her travel to somewhere beautiful with companions including Alison Steadman and Prue Leith. Part travelogue, part deep and meaningful interview, the show has developed its own little niche. 

For this episode there will be an as-yet-unnamed female celebrity with Sandi as they head to a Christmas paradise with sumptuous seasonal Scandinavian-style food, a warm fireside and reflections on the important things in life.

50. KIRSTIE’S HANDMADE CHRISTMAS 

CHANNEL 4

In this 11-part series, Location, Location, Location’s Kirstie Allsopp will explain everything you need for a DIY Christmas, from how to make the perfect gingerbread house to beautiful gifts for friends and family, stunning decorations and the perfect accessories for a showstopping Christmas table. 

Each 60-minute episode – one at primetime and ten airing at daytime – will see Kirstie chatting to experts, doing floristry with her sister Sofie (above, left, with Kirstie) and meeting fans, who will compete to win a prize and hopefully inspire viewers at home.

51. THE REPAIR SHOP AT CHRISTMAS 

BBC1

Jay Blades (pictured) leads a team attempting to make Maureen Donnachie’s walking ‘Susie’ doll move and talk again in a BBC1 special 

A much-loved wooden Nativity scene, a train set that once sat in a grocer’s window in Kenya, a mechanical doll and a harmonium pump organ used by carol-singing farm workers – they all star in this heartwarming special. The story behind the walking ‘Susie’ doll is especially moving. It was a present to Maureen Donnachie when she was a child suffering from polio, and aided her recovery. 

Now, 70 years later, Maureen is afflicted by postpolio syndrome, where the symptoms of the infection have returned and she’s losing the use of her legs. She hopes the team, led by Jay Blades, can make her doll walk and talk again.

52. TOP GEAR – DRIVING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS 

BBC1

Stand by for some familiar seasonal staples – but with a Top Gear spin. Presenters Chris Harris, Paddy McGuinness and Freddie Flintoff are invited to take part in a Secret Santa competition, choosing a highly unsuitable car for each other to take to the roads of England and Wales. 

After unwrapping their gifts in Bethlehem (that’s Bethlehem, Wales), the three journey east, enjoying a game of High Speed Visual Charades en-route to Bath, where they plan to deliver an enormous Christmas tree to the people of the city.

53. A LAKE DISTRICT FARM SHOP AT CHRISTMAS 

CHANNEL 4

Travel restrictions meant last year was quiet, but now the team at Tebay Services are hoping it will be busier than ever as the staff and its army of local producers put everything into making it a magical Christmas for their customers. It’s hectic from the off, so much so that head butcher Dave Morland is forced to go front of house at the shop as customers queue up for their glorious Christmas centrepieces, hampers and artisan goods.

FOOD

From Jamie and Dame Mary to Bake Off and MasterChef, there’s a feast of scrummy food and drink to enjoy this year, so why not…Tuck in to these crackers! 

54. JAMIE OLIVER: TOGETHER AT CHRISTMAS 

CHANNEL 4

Jamie Oliver shares advice on whipping up a party as well as sit-down meals this festive season in his two Channel 4 shows. Pictured: Jamie with son Buddy

Jamie delivers two shows this year, the first on whipping up a party and the other a sit-down meal. 

After stripping back on the festivities last year, the chef is keen to make amends and he produces a celebration spread built around beef Bourguignon, with a sparkling winter bombe ice-cream pud (pictured) as dessert.

For his centrepiece Christmas meal, stand by for an epic mixed roast and a panettone sticky toffee pud.

55. ANDI OLIVER TASTE OF HOME CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 

BBC2

Andi Oliver (pictured) learns about the treasured recipes and traditions of three Glaswegian families in a BBC2 special 

The Great British Menu host (above) meets three Glaswegian families as they create Yuletide feasts for their nearest and dearest. Andi learns about their treasured family recipes and traditions – this is a show not just about food but also about the city of Glasgow, its spirit and history. Andi shops with the families for local produce, and they whip up classics and new recipes.

56. THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF CHRISTMAS SPECIALS

CHANNEL 4

Celebrities create festive dishes in the hope of winning a Star Baker apron in The Great British Bake Off Christmas Specials. Pictured left to right: Olly Alexandrew, Matt Lucas, Lydia West, Prue Leith, Nathanial Curtis, Noel Fielding, Shaun Dooley and Paul Hollywood

The first of two shows sees the cast of hit drama It’s A Sin – which was Channel 4’s biggest ever drama launch when it aired back in January – compete against each other in the tent. 

Olly Alexander (far left, who played Ritchie in the series about the 1980s Aids crisis) will join Lydia West, Nathaniel Curtis and Shaun Dooley to create festive dishes in the hope of winning a Star Baker apron. 

At New Year fans will welcome the Great Festive Bake Off, in which four former bakers return.

57. GINOFANTASTICO: CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 

ITV

Chef Gino D’Acampo (pictured) serves up Christmas treats for his family in Sardinia in an ITV special 

It may be summer in Sardinia but that doesn’t stop chef Gino D’Acampo  serving up a Christmas treat for his family, a meal that includes sweet and spicy Brussels sprouts and roast potatoes with peppers. 

Gino ropes in sons Luciano and Rocco to dig a pit in the sweltering heat, to roast a suckling pig.

58. THE HAIRY BIKERS GO NORTH FOR CHRISTMAS 

BBC2

Si King and Dave Myers (pictured) get their families together for a meal in a one-hour Christmas special airing on BBC2

They may both be from the north, but Si King and Dave Myers are from opposite sides of the country and this one-hour special gets their families together for a meal. 

We follow Dave, born in Cumbria, and County Durham’s Si as they ride across the Pennines, meet food producers and cooks, and create a Christmas dinner – including turkey doner kebab – for both Hairy clans.

59. MARY BERRY’S FANTASTIC FEASTS 

BBC1

Dame Mary Berry (pictured) helps three members of the public to prepare a Christmas feast in a new BBC1 show 

Last Christmas Dame Mary was trying to whip celebs such as Jay Blades and Tom Allen into culinary shape for the season. 

This year she’s turning her attention to three members of the public, all of whom need a lot of Mary magic to rub off on them if they’re going to prepare a scrummy Christmas feast. A pair of celebrity elves are on hand to offer advice and assistance.

60. MASTERCHEF CHRISTMAS SPECIALS 

BBC1

MasterChef (pictured) has three shows airing during the festive period, including a special with five ex-winners battling 

MasterChef will serve up a triple helping this year. The MasterChef Champions Special sees five ex-winners battle it out, MasterChef: The Professionals Rematch Specials has former finalists create seasonal feasts, and there will be two editions of Celebrity MasterChef featuring past contestants.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk