Our picks of the must see festive TV this Christmas season

Whatever your plans are this Christmas period, make sure you find the time to settle down in front of the box for some fabulous festive TV.

From serious dramas to dazzling movies and all that's in between, we've got your festive guide sorted.

THE DRAMAS

Madame Blanc Christmas Special

December 22nd, Channel 5

Just before season two of this popular show launches the intrepid Jean White, played by Sally Lindsay, is back for a festive special set in the beautiful fictional town of Sainte Victoire. But as everyone prepares for the festive season and lights are twinkling and choirs are singing a brutal murder takes place and Jean must investigate to ensure that a miscarriage of justice is avoided.

Call The Midwife Christmas Special – Christmas Day, BBC One

The nuns and midwives of Nonnatus House return for a snow-filled Christmas episode before the start of season 12 in the new year. Fred (Cliff Parisi) is planning an Opportunity Knocks-style talent show to raise money for Poplar locals affected by the recent train crash, a young woman desperately tries to find shelter before she gives birth, and the parents of a daughter affected by thalidomide nervously prepare for a new addition to the family. Meanwhile, Matthew (Olly Rix) wants to ask Trixie (Helen George) an important question, but he needs Nancy’s (Megan Cusack) help first… and she wants a favour in return.

Death In Paradise Christmas Special – Boxing Day, BBC One

Les Dennis and Derry Girls’ Siobhan McSweeney will be spending Christmas in the Caribbean in this seasonal episode. Festivities on the island of Saint Marie take a spooky turn this year when an old case of Selwyn’s comes back to haunt him, following the murder of a true crime podcaster who was on the hunt for a missing child. Meanwhile, Marlon is forced to spend the night in a haunted house, and there could be some festive romance at last for Neville. Fans of the murder mystery show will be pleased to learn that series 12 will start in the new year and will then be followed by new spin-off series Beyond Paradise , featuring the return of Kris Marshall as Humphrey.

Without Sin – 28 December, ITVX

The queen of tense drama, Vicky McClure, is back for a gripping four part thriller in which she plays the mother of a 14-year-old girl who is found dead at home with a bloodied man named Charles standing over her. Set three years after the murder, the series follows mum Stella as she decides to meet with Charles in prison, believing he wants to atone for his sins and apologise for his crime. But is that really why he wants to see her?

All Creatures Great And Small Christmas Special – Channel 5

Season three of the farming drama series ended with James and Tristan queuing up to join the armed forces, and the shadow of World War II is likely to be looming over this year’s festivities at Skeldale House. However, there will still be celebrations, with James and Helen enjoying their first Christmas as a married couple, and all the familiar faces will return (and also for series four, due next year) including Nicholas Ralph as James, Samuel West as Siegfried, Callum Woodhouse as Tristan, Rachel Shenton as Helen and, of course, Patricia Hodge as Mrs Pumphrey with her spoilt Pekingese Tricky Woo.

COMEDY

Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas Special – Christmas Day, BBC One

The first of two seasonal episodes – the second is on New Year’s Day – featuring Mrs Brown and her brood. It’s Christmas time in Finglas and this year, Cathy has a new boyfriend named Boris, who Buster and Dermot are convinced is a vampire. Elsewhere, Bono is on an eco-kick and you can be sure Agnes will have something to say about it. Fans of the series will be pleased to hear that star Brendan O’Connell is committed to making more Christmas specials for the next four years, and there will also be a new series of regular episodes in 2023.

Motherland: Last Christmas – 23 December, BBC One

The middle class mums of Motherland are back for a Christmas special as Julia (Anna Maxwell Martin) deals with a full house of grandparents, as well as divorced dad Kevin (Paul Ready), who wants to whip up a full-on Persian feast and Liz (Diane Morgan) who turns up when her ex cancels hosting dinner at the very last minute. Things aren’t much easier for the other mums – Amanda (Lucy Punch) is facing an awkward Christmas with her mother (Joanna Lumley), Amanda’s ex and his new wife and Meg’s (Tanya Moodie) husband buys her a present so awful she starts to question their relationship. So just a regular, happy and relaxed Christmas day for everybody, it seems.

THE FOOD

Celebrity MasterChef Festive Extravaganza – BBC One

This festive special of the popular cooking show sees a group of celebrities create some seasonal fare in the hopes of being crowned the winner. Expect plenty of inspo for your own festive dishes and one or two surprises.

Gino’s Italian Christmas Feast – December 23rd, 8 .30pm, ITV

Christmas has arrived at VILLA D’ACAMPO! Gino and the D’Acampo family and friends are coming together in Sardinia for a celebration of Italian food and traditions, culminating with a feast of all of Gino’s favourite dishes. Gino, his wife Jessica, his three children, Luciano, Rocco and Mia, and their two dogs Oreo and Duke, are all preparing to host the ultimate Christmas feast at their Sardinian Villa. As they wait for the food to cook, the family gets themselves and the table dressed before the guests arrive and it’s time to eat!

ENTERTAINMENT

A Highland Christmas With Jane McDonald – 22 December, 9pm, Channel 5

Singer, Loose Woman and travel expert Jane McDonald returns to her Scottish roots for this Christmas special in which she starts her seasonal journey in Edinburgh, visiting the renowned Christmas market, before heading north into the snowy Highlands. There, she experiences the best seasonal traditions at a cosy forest lodge, explores the breathtaking wintry scenery and enjoys a warm welcome in the mountains, complete with whisky-tasting, bauble-making and candlelit carol singing with local children.

Strictly Christmas Special – Christmas Day, BBC

It’s an all-star special episode of Strictly as six stars take to the dance floor in a bid to be crowned Christmas Champion 2022. Previous festive champions have included Jill Halfpenny, Debbie McGee, and cricketer Darren Gough, while last year’s winner was singer Anne-Marie – but who will be the lucky winner this year? Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are on hosting duties, and merry musical performances and seasonal dance routines are promised before the champion is announced.

Rob & Romesh vs Christmas on Ice – 21st December, 9pm, Sky Max and NOW TV

Throughout the year, fans of the show have been putting in their asks for things they’d love to see Rob and Romesh take on for this year’s Christmas Special. And with all the votes counted and verified, the overriding and most popular choice has been… an appearance on Disney on Ice! Their journey will begin with the full touring team at their undisclosed rehearsal base, where the boys’ on-ice abilities will be put to the test in front of Mickey, Goofy, Moana and the rest of the gang. The episode will climax with Rob and Romesh taking to the ice with our favourite Disney friends in a sold out show on their Dream Big tour.

THE QUIZZES AND COMPETITIONS

BBC Sports Personality Of The Year – 21 December, BBC One

Now in its 69^th year, The BBC Sports Personality Of The Year awards is one of the biggest nights in the sporting calendar. This year, Gary Lineker, Clare Balding, Alex Scott and Gabby Logan will be handing out the awards for Unsung Hero, Young Sports Personality Of The Year, Coach Of The Year, Team Of The Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award as well as, of course, the hotly contested Sports Personality Of The Year Award. With the Lionesses winning the Euros, Matt Fitzpatrick winning the US Open, the World Cup team in Qatar and a tense Formula One racing season, it is anyone’s guess who will be taking home the trophy.

Britain Get Singing – Christmas Eve, ITV

Get ready for a 90 minute Christmas extravaganza to support ITV’s mental health campaign Britain Get Talking. Roman Kemp hosts the show which features groups of celebrities from some of TV’s biggest shows going head to head in a sing-off where they need to impress not just a studio audience and us at home, but also a panel of judges including The Voice UK’s will.i.am, BGT’s Alesha Dixon and Starstruck’s Adam Lambert. The brave celebrities showing off their vocal abilities include a team from Love Island that includes Danica Taylor and Luca Bish, The Chase’s Anne Hegerty, Jenny Ryan and Darragh Ennis, Loose Women’s Coleen Nolan, Brenda Edwards, Denise Welch, Judi Love, Linda Robson and Kelle Bryan, as well as groups from Emmerdale and Coronation Street.

Limitless Win Christmas Special – Christmas Day, ITV

Having returned from the I’m A Celebrity jungle, Ant and Dec are back with a celebrity-filled Christmas special edition of their record-breaking quiz show Limitless Win. Thanks to the never-ending money ladder, contestants can win the world’s first unlimited jackpot, and in this episode David Walliams and Rylan Clark are among those attempting to answer a series of questions and climb the ladder to the grand prize. A new series of the show will start in 2023.

That’s My Jam – BBC

Mo Gilligan presents this UK version of late night talk show host Jimmy Fallon’s hit US musical quiz and variety show. Filmed in Hollywood and featuring celebrity guests and musical performances, the series includes music-themed challenges for the foolhardy guest stars including Air Guitar, Launch The Mic, Disco Charades, Don’t Drop The Beat and Slay It Don’t Spray It, in which celebrities have to guess the next line of a song or risk getting sprayed in the face with water from a prop microphone. Donny Osmond, Jason Derulo, Becky Hill and Salt N Pepa are among the stars taking part.

FOR THE KIDS

Gangsta Granny Strikes Again – BBC

This adaptation of David Walliams’ sequel to Gangsta Granny picks up a year after the original story as young Ben is getting used to life without his beloved Gran. With the memory of their daring jewel heist still on his mind, he is stunned to learn that another spate of thefts have taken place, and all the clues point to The Black Cat – but that was Granny’s secret identity! Sheridan Smith and David Walliams return as Ben’s mum and dad alongside Kevin Bishop as dancer Flavio, Griff Rhys Jones as Mr Parker and Maggie Steed as The Queen.

CBeebies Panto: Dick Whittington – CBeebies

Recorded at the Congress Theatre in Eastbourne earlier this year, the CBeebies Panto is that jolly classic, Dick Whittington, and features a cast of CBeebies favourites including Alex Phelps, Gemma Hunt and Ben Cajee. Dick and his faithful cat travel to London for the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Parade, only to discover that there is a group of cheeky rats who are determined to ruin everyone’s fun. Mr Tumble himself, aka Justin Fletcher, stars as the Mayor.

The Smeds And The Smoos – Christmas Day, BBC One

On a far away planet, two families always avoid each other – the red Smeds never mix with the blue Smoos. That is until young Smed Janet meets and becomes friends with Smoo Bill, and despite their families objections the pair fall in love. This is the 10 ^th TV adaptation of a Julia Donaldson/Alex Scheffler children’s story that will charms fans of their other works such as The Gruffalo and Superworm. Sally Hawkins narrates the story, while Bill Bailey, Bridgerton’s Adjoa Andoh, Meera Syal and Rob Brydon are among the stars providing the voices.

The Greatest Snowman – Boxing Day, Channel 4

Frosty family competition The Greatest Snowman is back for a second year, with Sue Perkins once again travelling to a snowy mountain top with a handful of very chilly celebrities hoping to be taught how to sculpt, build and create impressive sculptures made out of snow and ice. Laurence Llewellyn Bowen – who won the 2021 show – is on hand to offer artistic advice as the competitors carve, saw and chip their designs into mounds of snow and blocks of ice (hopefully with no injuries or hypothermia casualties along the way).

The Boy The Mole The Fox And The Horse – BBC One

Charlie Mackesy’s bestselling illustrated children’s book is brought to the screen in a lovely seasonal animated short film. It’s the tale of an unlikely friendship between a boy, a mole, a fox and a horse as they journey together as the boy searches for home, and it features Tom Hollander as the voice of the mole, Idris Elba as the fox, Gabriel Byrne as the horse and newcomer Jude Coward Nicoll as the boy. One for the whole family – but make sure you have a box of tissues handy as it’s a bit of a weepie.

NATURE AND ANIMALS

Dinosaur With Stephen Fry – Boxing Day, Channel 5

Fantastic CGI trickery is used to transport Stephen Fry back to the age of the dinosaurs in this new four-part series (showing over four nights) that charts the 180 million year story of the prehistoric beasts. Stephen comes face to face with some of the most iconic creatures of our pre-history, including the T-Rex, Allosaurus and Triceratops, and talks to dinosaur experts within these virtual worlds to uncover some of the greatest mysteries of the creatures and their behaviour. Fans of Jurassic Park will be surprised to discover that those creepy velociraptors were only the size of a turkey – but they did have larger cousins called Utahraptors that were three metres tall and very scary.

Paul O’Grady For The Love of Dogs – A Royal Special – 19 December, ITV

This special episode of Paul O’Grady’s series celebrates 160 years of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home by introducing a very important guest – Her Majesty The Queen Consort. Camilla has been a long term supporter of the charity, and in her former role as the Duchess of Cornwall she hosted a celebratory garden party earlier this year at Clarence House to celebrate Battersea’s anniversary. The episode goes behind the scenes of the big day, and also follows The Queen Consort to Battersea’s Brands Hatch site in Kent where she and Paul meet some of the dogs hoping to be rehomed in time for Christmas.

A Year On Planet Earth – 22 December, ITVX

Actor and author Stephen Fry narrates this new six part series that showcases many wonders of the world and tells the story of a year in the life of our planet. Extreme weather, stunning landscapes, wildlife spectacles and memorable animals are all featured as life on earth adapts to shifting habitats and unexpected events. The production team – which includes crew experienced in working on acclaimed natural history shows like Blue Planet and Planet Earth II – filmed in more than 60 locations and use drone footage and close-up camera work to explain in dramatic fashion how life on earth – from pandas to polar bears to leatherback turtles – is connected.

FANTASY

The Witcher: Blood Origin – Christmas Day, Netflix

A prequel to the hit fantasy series, this is set in an elven world 1200 years before the events of The Witcher . Minnie Driver, Lenny Henry and Michelle Yeoh are among the stars in a four part adventure that explores the creation of the first prototype Witcher and the events that lead to the legendary ‘Conjunction of the Spheres’ where the worlds of monsters, men and elves merged. Fans of the original series will be glad to hear series three, starring Henry Cavill, will premiere in 2023 and a fourth season is also in the works, with Liam Hemsworth taking over Cavill’s role as Geralt of Rivia.

Christmas Carole – Christmas Eve, Sky

A Sky original, this is a new twist on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol with Suranne Jones starring as Carole Mackay, an outspoken and wealthy entrepreneur. She’s earned the nickname “Christmas Carole’ for all the festive merchandise she sells via her online business, but her success has made her a mean and – yes, you guessed it – Scrooge-like person. Of course, it’s only a matter of time before Carole’s Christmas past, present and future collide to help her discover the true meaning and spirit of the season.

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