It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is a season to celebrate with family, exchange presents and eat delicious food, and then collapse on the sofa to lock into some festive entertainment. Holiday telly has become an important part of the festive tradition as beloved shows present special offerings especially for the end of the year, so not only can we celebrate with our real life loved ones, but our on screen ones too. The 2024 telly schedule might be one for the books with the return of some of the most iconic shows and characters, along with Christmas themed editions of year round staples. But what is on, and more importantly what is worth catching over Christmas? Well you’ve come to the right place!
All recommendations are UK based and times are in GMT
Gavin and Stacey: The Finale – Christmas Day BBC1 9PM
It is hard to believe it has been nearly five whole years since the last episode of Gavin and Stacey. The special which aired in 2019 was the first Gavin and Stacey episode since its season finale back in 2010. The episode was a huge hit for the BBC drawing in over 18 million viewers, as Nessa (Ruth Jones) got down on one knee for Smithy (James Corden) leaving one of the most diabolical cliffhangers in a TV show ever.
Considering that we weren’t certain we’d ever get another episode to answer some massive questions, it was welcome news back in May when Jones and Corden jointly announced the final ever episode of the beloved British sitcom. It has that primetime Christmas Day slot, and we’re being treated to a feature length offering as it comes in at 90 minutes long. Will Nessa and Smithy get married? Will Gavin and Stacey reminisce on their whirlwind relationship? Will Dawn and Pete continue to tolerate each other’s quirks? And will we find out what happened on that damn fishing trip? I’m sure we will find out all of that and more on Christmas Day, but beyond that it’s going to be wonderful to spend one last Christmas with the Shipmans and the Wests.
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl – Christmas Day BBC1 6:10PM
The BBC has got their legacy line on speed dial this Christmas as beloved icons Wallace & Gromit return for their first adventure in 16 years. When we last saw them in A Matter of Loaf and Death, the pair were trying to solve the murder of a dozen bakers.
But this Christmas the pair must face their biggest threat yet, the return of one of the most iconic movie villains to ever exist: Feathers McGraw! That’s right, that little chicken (penguin) is back to wreak some havoc. Wallace makes his most advanced invention in the shape of a gnome that starts to prove it has a mind of its own. It’s been too long since our last set of Wallace and Gromit shenanigans, and we can be sure that this new film will dole out that unmistakable fun and warm feeling synonymous with these claymation heroes.
Doctor Who – Christmas Day BBC1 5:10PM
Christmas Day wouldn’t be Christmas Day without a generous helping of the longest running Sci-Fi show on telly: Doctor Who! Since Russell T Davies’ return he has made sure to bring Doctor Who back to its appointment viewing on the big day as opposed to in the New Year. There is nothing more special than sitting down and getting ready to jump into a new adventure with the time-traveling legend and his companion.
This year the special is written by Steven Moffat, former showrunner and writer of series 14 episode Boom, and it is called Joy to the World. The Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and Joy (Nicola Coughlan) find themselves in a hotel that transcends space and time, and they must traverse it whilst trying to foil a plot that aims to threaten earth on Christmas. Steven Moffat has a knack for Doctor Who Christmas specials so this episode promises to be an absolute hoot, worth taking some time out of the festive celebrations to watch.
Outnumbered – Boxing Day BBC1 9:40PM
Outnumbered is another one of those classic British sitcoms starring Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner. This year it is time to return to the Brockman family to see what kind of mischief the kids (well not so kiddy anymore if we’re being honest) are getting up to as they celebrate Christmas with their Mum and Dad. If Outnumbered’s legacy is anything to go by then things are guaranteed to go wrong, leaving for some hilarious misadventures.
The Traitors – BBC1 New Years Day BBC1 8PM
It’s the reality TV show that has gripped the nation since its original broadcast a few years ago, and it’s set to return on the turn of 2025. Deception is on the menu once again as a group of normal people gather at a castle in the Scottish highlands and lie and stab each other in the back all in the name of winning a massive pot of cash. Host Claudia Winkelman has teased that we should expect the unexpected with series 3 as the production team mixes things up. But no matter what happens the ultimate guarantee is enough drama to shake a stick at.
Big Fat Quiz of the Year – 27th December Channel 4 9PM
It’s a Christmas staple in the UK, as the Big Fat Quiz of the Year brings a host of comedians together, wrangled by Jimmy Carr, to play a quiz dedicated to the hottest moments of the past year. It might not be a year we want to remember but at least the panel will bring some much needed retrospective levity to it all.
The Festive Pottery Throwdown – Boxing Day Channel 4 9PM
If there is one thing the UK loves, it’s a competition reality show. Over the past few years The Great Pottery Throwdown – where amateur potters from around the country come together to show off their best sculpting and throwing abilities – has slowly become one of the favourites. In its latest festive edition celebrities: Rachel Riley, Martin Kemp, Tom Rosenthal, and Babatunde Aleshe take a flying course in pottering and engage in some of the tasks contestants on the main show might complete. Considering that most of these celebrities wont have touched a pottery wheel in their lives it’s on the cards that some disasters will occur, which of course is part of the fun!
Black Doves – Now Streaming Netflix
There is an argument to suggest that Black Doves doesn’t count to be included on this list, but it is set at Christmas so it gets the last spot. Ben Whishaw plays a hitman for hire, and Keira Knightley a deep cover spy who are entangled in a global political conspiracy through their intimate relationships. It’s without doubt one of the best shows of the year, it is big, loud, and slick, it’s everything you want from a spy thriller. And look, if the likes of Die Hard do well to get you in the Christmas spirit then there is no doubt Black Doves will too.
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