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Christmas TV 2018: BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and SKY festive highlights

Christmas has officially landed! as BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and SKY all announce their festive TV line-up. From Strictly Come Dancing to The Great British Bake Off, take a look at our breakdown of the top programmes for all the family to enjoy.

OK we all know one of the most important parts of Christmas is the TV – what would the day be without arguing over what to watch next?! So push aside that box of choccies and settle down to some of the best shows on television.

Image of Christmas tv highlights

If you’re looking for drama, entertainment, comedy or even a spot of sci-fi. Here’s everything we know so far.

BBC:

Call the Midwife

The festive episode will see acclaimed actress Miriam Margolyes (Harry Potter’s, Professor Sprout) pick up the role as the formidable Sister Mildred who arrives unexpectedly at Nonnatus House with four Chinese orphans who after being found abandoned in Hong Kong are being adopted in the UK as part of the World Refugee Project. As the Christmas celebrations get into full swing you can expect that these little visitors will cause joy and chaos in equal measure.

Image from Call The Midwife Christmas special
Image credit: BBC/Neal Street Productions

Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special
Six celebrities including Ann Widdecombe are returning to this year’s Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special and this year extravaganza is all about fairytales and making dreams come true.

Image of Strictly Come Dancing logo
Image credit: BBC

Click & Collect
Stephen Merchant and Asim Chaudhry star in the hilarious Christmas comedy – Click & Collect which sees two unalike neighbours driving across the country to pick up the one toy that will make a little girl’s Christmas dreams come true.

Watership Down
BBC One and Netflix announce a stellar cast line-up for this years Christmas mini-series, Watership Down. Including an original song by Sam Smith.

Image of Watership Down
Image credit: BBC

‘Best Christmas Food Ever’ TV show
BBC One daytime announces ten episodes of Best Christmas Food Ever with chef Paul Ainsworth and home cook Catherine Fulvio.

ZOG
An animated adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s ‘Zog’ is to air this Xmas. Zog is a loveable young dragon trying to find his way in a magical, yet challenging world. The animation will run for half an hour at Christmas.

Agatha Christie’s ‘The ABC Murders’ this Christmas
John Malkovich and Rupert Grint will join an all star cast in a three-part drama based on Agatha Christie’s The ABC Murders on BBC One this Christmas.

BBC One’s !mpossible Celebrities quiz show
Rick Edwards will host the six-episode series which will see 18 celebrity contestants begin their !mpossible journey by answering three rounds of !mpossible style multiple questions and compete for a chance of winning £10,000 for a charity of their choice.

EastEnders
Christmas is never a quiet time in Albert Square and this festive season is no exception when at least one person is left with blood on their hands in EastEnders.

Michael McIntyre’s Big Christmas Show

Michael McIntyre will be back with another festive edition of his big show!  Featuring celebrity guest, send to all and of course the star of the show.

Image of Michael Mcintyre
Image credit: BBC/Hungry Bear/Gary Moyes

Still Open All Hours
Sir David Jason will once again be joined by regular favourites including James Baxter, Stephanie Cole, Sally Lindsay and Johnny Vegas. The Still Open All Hours Christmas special will see Granville trying to offload a large quantity of glasses while Mr Newbold finally decides to tell Mrs Featherstone how he really feels.

Mrs Brown’s Boys
Mrs Brown’s Boys is back with two festive episodes which sees Agnes having trouble figuring out how to use her new “Wifi assistant” and her and Winnie’s friendship being put to the test.

Image of Agnes Brown
Image credit: BBC/Hungry Bear

Take That: We’ve Come A Long Way – 30th anniversary special
Take That mark their 30th anniversary with a special one off programme for BBC One. Expect hit songs and hopefully some new tunes.

Nadiya’s Party Feasts
Nadiya is back on BBC Two and this time she is sharing her favourite celebration dishes.

Mary Berry’s Christmas Party
Mart Berry’s Christmas party will be one show not to be missed on BBC Two this year. Once again show opens her kitchen up to some of TV’s best-loved faces.

All Together Now
Geri Horner and Rob Beckett are back and this time famous faces are set to get the nation joining in.

David Walliams’ The Midnight Gang
Kids can settle down to watch David Walliams – The Midnight Gang. Based on the book the TV show will star Alan Davies, Haydyn Gwynne and David Walliams.

Goodness Gracious Me – 20 years innit!
Celebrating 20 years, Goodness Gracious Me – 20 years innit!, features exclusive interviews with its stars and creators alongside other comedians who are fans of the series as the show’s ten most memorable sketches are revealed.

Snow-Wolf A Winter’s Tale
Following the odyssey of an extraordinary mother wolf through the frozen heart of Europe.

Merry Christmas Baby
Gregory Porter and friends enjoy a seasonal cocktail of music and song’s over on BBC Two.

Songs of Praise
Aled Jones celebrates Christmas in Edinburgh with a thousand Songs of Praise viewers in the McEwan Hall.

Top of the Pops

Top of the Pops is back with two new specials on Christmas Day and New Year. This years line-up will see stars such as Anne-Marie, Rita Ora and Jess Glynn perform.

Would I Lie To You at Christmas? 2018
Rob Brydon will once again be joined by a star studded panel for a Christmas special of Would I Lie To You at Christmas – get ready for lots of laughs.

Carols From King’s
Carols From King’s will again return on Christmas Eve.

The Queen’s Christmas Message
The Queen’s Christmas Speech will be watched by millions of viewers up and down the UK.

Mock The Week Christmas Special
Dara O Briain will be joined by a hilarious panel as they tackle some of the years biggest subjects – Get ready for more Maybot and Brexitover on BBC Two.

ITV:

Celebrity Juice

Keith Lemon will once again be back with a host of celeb’s as they take on hilarious challenges. We’re hoping Gino will be back on this years Celeb Juice Xmas special.

Bad Move

Nicky and Steve are back with a festive show for Bad Move, no details have been released of the episode itself however could the couple try and hold Christmas day dinner in their ruin of a house – we can only speculate.

Channel 4:

Image of Jamie at Christmas
Image credit: Channel 4

Jamie’s Quick and Easy Christmas 1×60
Christmas can be made quick and easy as Jamie Oliver, in this hour-long special, creates a fabulous festive feast using just five ingredients. Each recipe will have all the flavour without the fuss.

Food Unwrapped: Christmas Special
Jimmy Doherty, Matt Tebbutt, Helen Lawal and Kate Quilton will be cooking up yuletide treats in this special. The episode will include Kate putting Jimmy and Matt to the test to see if just by eating Christmas lunch you’re over the alcohol limit!

Escape to the Chateau at Christmas
After another very busy year, Dick and Angel prepare for Christmas at Chateau de la Motte-Husson. Complete with festive menu and of course a very impressive tree.

The Big Narstie Show Christmas Special
Big Narstie Show is back for a Christmas special like no other. In this festive special expect big name guests, stacks of fun and some big, narstie Christmas spirit.

8 out of Cats Does Countdown Christmas Special
Jimmy Carr hosts a special Christmas edition of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. Guest include Sean Lock and Kathy Burke who team up against Jon Richardson and David Mitchell plus much more.

The Crystal Maze Christmas Special 1×60’
Richard Ayoade guides a celebrity team of haplessly enthusiastic adventurers around a special panto-themed Maze.

The Inbetweeners 10th Birthday Party (w/t) 1×120
The gang is back for one night only with a two hour studio show celebrating 10 years of crushes, comedy and lots more. Featuring behind the scenes VTs, the story behind the show, surprise guests and celebrity fans this is the ultimate treat for fans.

Celebrity LEGO MASTERS at Christmas 1×60’
Christmas elf Melvin Odoom is back hosting this years LEGO Masters at Christmas. This year he is joined by six talented junior builders from series 1 and 2 plus six celebrity helpers including Rob Beckett, Joe Swash and Warwick Davies. – who will pick up the trophy?!

Celebrity Call Centre Christmas Special with Age UK 1×60’
Eight new stars will tackle problems big and small as the Celebrity Call Centre re-opens including Strictly finalist Debbie McGee, Countdown’s Nick Hewer and Radio 1 DJ Gemma Cairney.

The Undateables at Christmas
The Undateables are back with more festive festivities featuring much loved familiar faces as they share their extra special plans for the most magical time of the year. The special will catch up with three loved-up couples and much more.

The Last Leg Christmas Special
Get ready for more funny comedy as Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker are back on our screens.

Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds at Christmas
This years special will continue the story of the older residents and their 10 young friends and what has happened to each group throughout the year.

Image Of Old Peoples Home For Four Year Olds At Christmas
Image credit: Channel 4

Extreme Cake Makers Christmas Special
Elite cake makers return for a festive special, expect over the top cakes and out-of-this-world designs.

So This Is Christmas with Alan Carr
Get your Christmas jumper ready, pour the eggnog and join Alan Carr as he hosts Christmas extravaganza in his log cabin. With celebrity interviews and plenty of fun this will be one not to miss.

The Great British Bake Off Christmas
Bake Off is back and this year four merry bakers from Bake Off past join Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding as they do battle. Who will Paul and Prue pick as festive star baker?.

SKY

A League of Their Own Christmas Special

Join James, Jamie, Freddie and Romesh for an all-star fun packed festive fixture for charity on Sky One this Christmas. League of Their Own will have an all-star team, including Ben Foden, Amy Williams, Danny Jones, Helen Skelton and AP McCoy

Micky Flanagan Thinking Aloud: Christmas

Micky Flanagan is back on our TV screens this Christmas as he searches his mind and the nation for everything he loves and loathes about Christmas.

We’re not sure our TV planners will fit all of this!

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