The big day is finally here. It’s time to unwrap presents, drinking champagne and feast on massive dinners.
But once that’s over, what’s left? Well, there’s always some good TV on. This year, the offering is a little thin, but there’s still more than enough to entertain, and a fair few Christmas specials to boot.
From Peep Show making its long-awaited return (of sorts) to our screens, to Lucy Punch’s Amanda setting out to create possibly the most cringe holiday period ever, here’s our pick of what to stick on.
The Scarecrows’ Wedding
BBC
One of the highlights of the Beeb’s festive programming is seeing which animated tale they choose to bring to life for a TV special. This year, it’s Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffer’s very sweet Scarecrows’ Wedding, which features Sophie Okonedo as a narrator, and stars Jessie Buckley and Domhnall Gleeson as the titular scarecrows Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay. They’re engaged to be married, but when a new scarecrow (the appropriately named Reginald Rake, aka Rob Brydon) appears, things go pear shaped. Will the pair tie the knot after all?
The Strictly Come Dancing Festive Special
Strictly limps on. A few weeks after the finale, there’s also a Christmas special, hosted by outgoing presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly. This year’s lineup includes Scarlett Moffatt, Melanie Blatt, Babtunde Aléshé and Nicholas Bailey, who’ll be battling it out over a series of festive dances to claim the glitterball trophy for themselves.
Channel 4’s Alternative Christmas Message
Yes, there’s the King’s Speech at3pm, but isn’t it more fun to tune into Channel 4’s alternative offering? Previous years have included hot takes on AI and Strictly winner Chris McCausland lobbying the government to improve its Access to Work service. This year’s speaker has been announced as none other than recently cancelled and un-cancelled comedian Jimmy Kimmel; hearing what he has to say should be interesting.
The Masked Singer: Christmas Special
The outrageously high-camp premise of The Masked Singer is especially well-suited to Christmastime. It also doesn’t require a lot of concentration, so tune ni for an hour in which four celebs in the world’s most uncomfortable looking fancy dress attempt to hoodwink the judges (Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, Maya Jama and Jonathan Ross), who are in turn trying to guess who they are. Also present: panto icons Su Pollard, Christopher Biggins, Basil Brush and Lesley Joseph. Because, you know, Christmas.
The Great Christmas Bake Off
Channel 4
It’s been a decade since Peep Show finally went off air (RIP), but because we do sometimes get treats at Christmas, Channel 4 has manfully resurrected the show by mashing it together it with the Great British Bake Off. So, tune into watch six of its main cast members – minus Robert Webb, oddly, but plus Oscar-winner Olivia Colman (!) – attempt to create a series of bakes based on the show. It promises to be carnage, in the best way.
This year, we’re not just getting one Call the Midwife festive special. We’re actually getting two, the first part of which airs Christmas Day. The nuns (and midwives) of Nonnatus House are split across the world this time around; some are off in Hong Kong, while others are dealing with a wave of festive babies. It’s also the advent of the Sixties, which means free love and feminism is just around the corner. Hooray!
Lucy Punch’s lovably awful Amanda got her first solo spinoff show earlier this year, and it was an undisputed triumph. So what better way to hammer the point home than with a dedicated festive special? Amanda and her demanding mum (Joanne Lumley) are off to spend the festive season in the Cotwolds with her eccentric Aunt Joan (Jennifer Saunders). Also in tow: two kids, a ‘non friend’ and a lot of cheerfully oblivious cringe.
