Christmas TV tips: The Great Christmas Bake Off, Grantchester, Strictly, the soaps and so much more...
This it is then, the big festive weekend full of Christmas crackers but also stuffed with TV turkeys. Here are the seasonal specials we recommend you watch and review.
Mrs Brown's Boys
SATURDAY, CHRISTMAS EVE
Michael McIntyre’s Big Christmas Show (BBC1, 7.25pm) A festive edition of the smash hit show that thrashed The X Factor in the ratings war. With guests Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, Aled Jones, Catherine Tate and Harry Enfield.
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David Walliams Celebrates Dame Shirley Bassey (BBC1, 9pm) A rare chance to catch Mr Walliams on the box as he hosts a special evening of entertainment in which the veteran singer performs her greatest hits.
Peter Kay’s Christmas Comedy Shuffle (BBC, 10.05pm) A collection of clips from the comedian’s hit shows including Car Share and Phoenix Nights. Plus a festive singalong with Paul McCartney.
Grantchester (ITV, 9pm) Decent festive whodunit starring Robson Green and James Norton. In this Christmas special, detective Geordie Keating and his unlikely partner in crime-solving the Reverend Sidney Chambers investigate the murder of a groom just before his wedding.
SUNDAY, CHRISTMAS DAY
The Great Christmas Bake Off (BBC1, 4.45pm) The Beeb’s last but one baking show before it heads for its new home at Channel 4. Mary, Paul and Mel & Sue join some of the bakers from previous series for a fun packed festive contest. Not a dry eye in the tent ahead of tomorrow’s final edition.
Doctor Who (BBC1, 5.45pm) Back on the box after a year away, the Doc (Peter Capaldi) reteams with his alien sidekick Nardole (Matt Lucas) for a seasonal adventure involving a mysterious junior superhero called Grant.
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special (BBC1, 6.45pm) Len Goodman’s emotional farewell as he chairs the judges for the final time. Six stars of past series return to the dance floor to battle it out for the festive ballroom crown.
Emmerdale (ITV, 5.45pm) A whole hour of ludicrous melodrama as Christmas goes horribly wrong for the rural rabble. Dreary Joanie worries that she’s losing country bumpkin Zak while a recording on tawdry teen Belle’s laptop casts a dark shadow over the festivities.
Coronation Street (ITV, 8pm) Happy days as Nick and Peter celebrate the birth of Christ by brawling in the street and histrionic schoolkid Bethany collapses from a drug overdose.
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EastEnders (BBC1, 9.30pm) Sixty minutes of doom and gloom featuring the return of mad Max Branning and depressing bore Phil Mitchell closing in on death. Yay.
Maigret’s Dead Man (ITV, 9pm) Rowan Atkinson returns as the Parisian detective investigating the link between a series of anonymous phone calls and a spate of horrific farmhouse murders.
Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas Special (BBC1, 10.30pm) Pretend Irish battleaxe Agnes fails to get into the festive spirit after Grandad is taken ill and Dino and Rory’s hairdressing salon burns down. Some think this long running comedy hilarious, others find it about as funny as a funeral. What’s your view?
There is 1 Comment
The low ratings
Are due to people playing monopoly yesterday instead of watching crap on TV. Not a bad idea through.