Familiar faces from French & Saunders to David Walliams and Great British Bake Off star in our top 20 Christmas TV highlights
IT’S a Christmas of TV comebacks – with a host of classic shows revived.
From period dramas and comedy to sci-fi and gameshows, look out for old favourites with some new twists. ROD McPHEE presents a festive Top 20 . . .
1) MARY, MEL AND SUE’S SURPRISE PARTY, BBC1
Former Great British Bake Off stars Mary Berry, Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins visit a Welsh village to stage a party for locals – and spruce up the community centre with some DIY.
2)THE PRICE IS RIGHT, C4
The hit gameshow sees host Alan Carr follow in the steps of Bruce Forsyth, Leslie Crowther and, er, Joe Pasquale.
He’ll yell, “Come on Down!” to the contestants in this one-off pilot reprising the prize-winning tests of old.
3) FRENCH & SAUNDERS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL, BBC1
As part of celebrations of the comedy duo’s 30th anniversary, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders replay their best-loved sketches – and spoof current celebs, films and TV.
4) VICTORIA, ITV
This festive special shows a Christmas at Buckingham Palace with Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, played by Jenna Coleman and Tom Hughes.
Lots of snow and a showcase of German Albert’s love of all things Yuletide.
5)MIRANDA DOES CHRISTMAS, C4
Hilarious Miranda Hart promises a “raucous” party with some special guests.
She gives her steers on surviving the hols and crucial festive questions like: Do nuts belong in a Christmas pud?
6) LITTLE WOMEN, BBC 1
This three-part adaptation, set in the US Civil War, stars Michael Gambon and Angela Lansbury, as well as Apple Tree Yard’s Emily Watson and Maya Thurman-Hawke, daughter of Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke.
7) THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF CHRISTMAS SPECIALS, C4
After two BBC specials last year, new host C4 offers a pair of hour-long shows. Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding oversee as former contestants return.
8) DOCTOR WHO CHRISTMAS SPECIAL, BBC1
Peter Capaldi bows out as the 12th Doc in this episode, Twice Upon Time.
David Bradley appears as the first Time Lord, and Mark Gatiss is a WW1 officer. It’s also new Doc Jodie Whittaker’s debut.
9) ALL STAR MUSICALS, ITV
Freddie Flintoff hosts a celebration of West End shows as celebs including Tony Robinson, Denise Lewis and Nicky Campbell train to sing hit numbers.
Their mentor is the original Phantom of the Opera, Michael Crawford.
My view
By Andy Halls. TV Editor
FINALLY, a Christmas TV schedule worth staying in for.
The past two I barely watched TV, it was so poor. Rubbish “best of” shows, ancient films, Dad’s Army re-runs – and Mrs Brown’s bloody Boys.
But the quality of streaming sites, including Netflix, has forced the BBC, ITV and C4 to invest. In come big specials, gripping dramas and rebooted classics.
It’s enough to make you want to stay sober and not fall asleep by mid-afternoon.
10) THE HIGHWAY RAT, BBC1
David Tennant stars in this year’s big BBC animation, voicing the rat of Julia Donaldson’s kids’ books. It’s from the team who made the Gruffalo and Stick Man animations of Christmases past. Rob Brydon narrates.
11) NOT GOING OUT CHRISTMAS SPECIAL, BBC1
Lee Mack returns to the Beeb’s longest-running prime-time sitcom as Lee and Lucy battle with their kids – and marriage.
Fun includes a last-minute shopping dash to sort a Christmas gifts crisis.
12) A NIGHT FOR THE EMERGENCY SERVICES, ITV
This celebration of 999 crews, hosted by Ashley Banjo and his Diversity dancers, sees lucky heroes perform with the likes of Michael Ball and Alfie Boe, Leona Lewis and Tokio Myers.
13) NIGELLA’S CHRISTMAS TABLE, BBC2
The seductive cook invites us into her kitchen for a sumptuous festive special sure to include plenty of puddings, brandy and all manner of other “divine indulgences”.
14) AL MURRAY’S MAKE CHRISTMAS GREAT AGAIN, ITV
The Pub Landlord is back with the mother of all festive lock-ins.
Al delivers his unique stand-up between welcoming special guests, staging hilarious sketches and playing festive games.
15) CALL THE MIDWIFE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL, BBC1
Starring Anita Dobson, this kicks off a new eight-part series.
London is under a thick blanket of snow in 1962, one of our worst winters, and the midwives battle to do their jobs in biting cold.
16) JAMIE’S ITALIAN CHRISTMAS, C4
The cheeky chef is joined in a cosy log cabin in the snowy Italian Alps by pal Gennaro Contaldo – showing us how to make the best Christmas dinner, with turkey, all the trimmings and an Italian twist.
17) STRICTLY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL, BBC1
Ex-contestants including Katie Derham, Judy Murray, Kimberley Walsh, Colin Jackson and Robbie Savage reunite for this Christmas Day fun hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
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18) MAIGRET IN MONTMARTRE, ITV
Rowan Atkinson returns as the French sleuth in a new film set in 1950s Paris.
Jules Maigret trawls through a nightclub in the notorious Montmartre district as he investigates the murder of a stripper.
19) GRANDPA’S GREAT ESCAPE, BBC1
David Walliams brings alive his kids’ book in this drama about a WW2 pilot, played by Sir Tom Courtenay, who moves into an old folk’s home run by the dastardly Miss Dandy, played by Jennifer Saunders.
20) STILL OPEN ALL HOURS, BBC1
David Jason returns as shopkeeper Granville.
His uncle Arkwright, played by the late Ronnie Barker, is now gone and Granville runs the store with long-suffering son Leroy, played by James Baxter.