Christmas TV Highlights
If you thought you'd seen the last of The Royle Family (Christmas Day, 9.30pm, BBC1) then you were wrong as one of TV's best-loved families return to our screens in a one-off special. All of the cast are reunited as we catch up with them to see how they've been coping since the sad death of Nan last year. We can't wait!
One of the most critically-acclaimed sitcoms of the last couple of years, Gavin And Stacey (Christmas Eve, 10.00pm, BBC1), is also back for a brand new episode this Christmas, while there is also a festive helping of My Family (Christmas Eve, 8.30pm, BBC1).
Oscar-winning duo Wallace and Gromit roar back onto our screens in A Matter Of Loaf And Death (Christmas Day, 8.30pm, BBC1). The new adventure sees the pair opening a bakery shop and trying to find the dreaded Cereal Killer in this one-off 'who-doughnut' mystery.
Doctor Who (Christmas Day, 6.00pm, BBC1) has quickly established itself as a Christmas Day tradition and this year's special - intriguingly titled The Next Doctor - will be a Christmas Day highlight in homes across the country. David Morrissey and Dervla Kirwan co-star alongside David Tennant as the Doctor takes on his old enemy the Cybermen.
There are more long-awaited TV comebacks as Alan Davies returns as Jonathan Creek (New Year's Day, 9.00pm, BBC1) and Gregor Fisher reprises the role of Rab C Nesbitt (Tuesday 23 December, 9.00pm, BBC2) for the first time in a decade. Shooting Stars (Tuesday 30 December, 10,00pm, BBC2) also returns for a one-off special with Vic Reeves, Bob Mortimer and someone called Matt Lucas who's gone on to much bigger things since first appearing on the show.
For a festive laugh look no further than Alan Carr's Christmas Ding Dong (Tuesday 23 December, 10.00pm, Channel 4) and Peter Kay's Britain's Got An Extra Pop Factor And Then Some 2 + 1 (Friday 19 December, 9.00pm, Channel 4), which catches up with his reality winner Geraldine to see how she's coping with fame and fortune. It also features her Christmas single - be afraid!
The Family At Christmas (Christmas Eve, 9.30pm, Channel 4) is a one-off special of Channel 4's acclaimed documentary series and The Secret Millionaire Changed My Life (Christmas Day, 9.30pm, Channel 4) finds out what happened to some of the people featured in the popular show.
There is plenty of good will for all as Noel Edmonds turns Santa Claus once again in Noel's Christmas Presents (Sunday 21 December, 6.00pm, Sky 1) with plenty more heart-warming tales.
Around The World In 20 Years (Tuesday 30 December, 9.00pm, BBC1) marks the 20th anniversary of Michael Palin's classic TV series while Blackadder Rides Again (Christmas Day, 10.30pm, BBC1) reunites all of the cast of the classic sitcom - including Rowan Atkinson - to mark the 25th anniversary of the first show.
Reality fans can look forward to seasonal specials of Strictly Come Dancing (Christmas Day, 7.00pm, BBC1) and, for the first time, a Christmas special of Dancing On Ice (Christmas Day, 8.00pm, ITV1) that sees Torvill and Dean compete against each other with rival teams of celebrities. Gladiators - The Legends Strike Back (Sunday 21 December, 8.00pm, Sky 1) sees some of the original Gladiators return to battle against the new generation.
There are more celebrity shenanigans in specials of All Star Family Fortunes (Saturday 27 December, 7.05pm, ITV1) (featuring Emmerdale's Dingles and Hollyoaks' McQueens) and All Star Mr And Mrs with stars (Saturday 20 December, 7.55pm, ITV1) including Ronan Keating and Tamzin Outhwaite competing to win money for charity. Meanwhile, Shane Richie presents a seasonal special of All Star Don't Forget The Lyrics (Monday 22 December, 9.00pm, Sky 1) featuring some of the most popular Christmas hits.
Agatha Christie's Marple (New Year's Day, 9.00pm, ITV1) returns in new story Nemesis, which has Richard E Grant and Anne Reid among the starry cast, and The Sound Of Music star Connie Fisher makes her TV drama debut in Caught In A Trap (Boxing Day, 9.00pm, ITV1), in which she plays a young woman who is obsessed by Elvis Presley.
There's more drama with Rupert Penry Jones in The 39 Steps (Sunday 28 December, 8.00pm, BBC1) and Sir Ian McKellen as King Lear (Christmas Day, 9.00pm, More 4) in the RSC's acclaimed production.
Finally, Top Of The Pops (Christmas Day, 2.00pm, BBC1) WILL be on our screens this Christmas after all in two special editions on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.
Find out what's happening in soapland this Christmas and new year in our festive soaps round-up
