Yahoo News BBC Christmas TV guide: all the 2017 highlights
Put the highlighter pens away. Digital Spy is here with your definitive guide to Christmas telly – beginning with the BBC's line-up. (ITV's highlights are here, while Channel 4's are here. And this one's purely about movies on TV this Christmas.)
This is everything we know so far about the 2017 schedule, with updates to come as the broadcasters firm up their festive offerings!
Note: All listings are subject to change - bookmark this page and come back, because we'll be updating regularly
Monday, December 18
Mary Berry's Christmas Party - 8.30pm on BBC One - Mary opens her kitchen to a cast of famous faces, including Fearne Cotton, Darcey Bussell and Myleene Klass.
Would I Lie to You? - 9.30pm on BBC One - Rob Brydon hosts a festive edition of the comedy panel show.
The League of Gentlemen (1/3) - 10pm on BBC Two - Familiar faces return to Royston Vasey, settling old scores and digging up some old friends - with more bad blood than an abattoir with septicaemia.
Tuesday, December 19
MasterChef: The Professionals - The Finals- 8pm on BBC Two - Gregg Wallace, Monica Galetti and Marcus Wareing search for this year's MasterChef: The Professionals champion.
U2 at the BBC - 9pm on BBC One - U2 bring their stadium-filling rock to Abbey Road Studios to perform exclusive versions of of classics tracks, alongside new music from their latest album.
The League of Gentlemen (2/3) - 10pm on BBC Two - The fight to save Royston Vasey comes from unexpected and surprising directions, all of them local.
Wednesday, December 20
Judi Dench: My Passion for Trees - 8pm on BBC One - Documentary following Judi Dench and her own secret woodland through the seasons, as she explores the lives of trees.
MasterChef: The Professionals - The Finals- 8pm on BBC Two - In the penultimate challenge, the four remaining chefs fight to secure their place amongst the final three.
The Real Marigold on Tour - 9pm on BBC One - Sheila Ferguson, Rustie Lee, Paul Nicholas and Dennis Taylor reunite and head to the cold but beautiful country of Iceland.
Peaky Blinders (6/6) - 9pm on BBC Two - It's the night of the big fight - Bonnie Gold versus Goliath. But as the bell rings and the crowd goes wild, dangers lurk in the shadows for Tommy Shelby and his family.
The League of Gentlemen (3/3) - 10pm on BBC Two - The developing situation in Royston Vasey reaches its earth-shattering climax.
Mock the Week - 10.30pm on BBC Two - Dara O'Briain and Hugh Dennis serve up their unique festive take on a Christmas special.
Alternativity: The Performance - 11pm on BBC Two - Contemporary one-off performance of the nativity play quite unlike any other.
Thursday, December 21
MasterChef: The Professionals - The Finals - 8pm on BBC Two - Edging closer to finding the 2017 champion. Just one almighty cook-off remains for them to assess the talent of the finalists.
Love, Lies and Records (6/6) - 9pm on BBC One - With her secrets exposed, Kate is forced to make an important personal decision.
Joanna and Jennifer: Absolutely Champers - 9pm on BBC Two - Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders reunite on-screen to take a trip to the Champagne region of France to find out exactly how to put the bubbles into bubbly. (Followed by a repeat of Absolutely Fabulous's 2003 festive special, 'Cold Turkey'.)
The Galaxy Britain Built - 10pm on BBC Four - Celebrating the British contribution to the original Star Wars films, as presenter David Whiteley uncovers some never-before-heard stories.
Insert Name Here - 10.35pm on BBC Two - Special festive edition of the Sue Perkins-hosted comedy panel show about people with just one thing in common - they all have the same name.
Darcey Bussell: Looking for Fred Astaire - 10.45pm on BBC One - Darcey profiles Hollywood dancer Fred Astaire, marking 30 years since his death.
Friday, December 22
TOTP4 Christmas 2017- 7.30pm on BBC Four - Top of the Pops 4 is a celebratory Christmas compilation, with Mark Radcliffe guiding us down memory lane with staple Christmas TOTPs facts and performances.
Have I Got 2017 News for You - 9pm on BBC One - Paul Merton and Ian Hislop are joined by a variety of guest hosts and panellists from the worlds of comedy, journalism and current affairs for a compilation that looks back at the big news of 2017.
Saturday Night Fever - The Ultimate Disco Movie - 9pm on BBC Two - John Travolta, Barry Gibb and Bruno Tonioli star in a documentary celebrating the 40th anniversary of the 1977 blockbuster dance movie. (Followed by repeats of The Joy of the Bee Gees at 10.10pm and Boogie Fever: A TOTP2 Disco Special at 11.10pm.)
The Graham Norton Show - 10.40pm on BBC One - Joining Graham are Will Smith, starring in new sci-fi film Bright, Jenna Coleman, starring in the Victoria Christmas special, and celebrity chef and Jamie Oliver. With music from Keane frontman Tom Chaplin.
Saturday, December 23
Len Goodman's Partners in Rhyme - 5.30pm on BBC One - a festive special spin-off for the game show.
Pointless Celebrities - 6.15pm on BBC One - four celeb pairings – Gareth Malone and Military Wives soloist Samantha Stevenson, Jona Lewie and 'Wombling Merry Christmas' composer Mike Batt, Justin and Dan Hawkins from The Darkness, and Jimmy Osmond and X Factor winner Ben Haenow – face off in this Christmas Special.
Even Better Than the Real Thing - 7.10pm on BBC One - festive edition of the tribute act showcase hosted by Paddy McGuinness.
Feud: Bette and Joan - 9pm on BBC Two - the hit US series gets its UK premiere, charting the backstage battle between Bette Davis (Susan Sarandon) and Joan Crawford (Jessica Lange) during and after the production of their 1962 film What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?.
Episode two follows at 9.50pm, with What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? itself airing at 10.35pm.
Our Friend Victoria - 9.30pm on BBC One - one-off special celebrating the life and work of the late Victoria Wood.
Christmas Eve - Sunday, December 24
Songs of Praise - 1.15pm on BBC One - Favourite hymns, old and new, from the Royal Albert Hall, with guest stars Michael Ball and Alfie Boe, Laura Mvula and the Priests.
Carols from King's - 5.45pm on BBC Two - Religious programme celebrating Christmas from the Chapel of King's Cross, Cambridge.
Mary, Mel and Sue's Big Christmas Thank You - 7pm on BBC One - Great British Bake Off veterans Mary Berry, Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins surprise one exceptional group of people in South Wales with the most magnificent Christmas party their town has ever seen.
Winter's Weirdest Events - 8pm on BBC Two - From snowboarding crows to seemingly suicidal penguins, Chris Packham embarks on a fascinating journey to try to explain some of Winter's Weirdest Events.
Michael McIntyre's Big Christmas Show - 8.30pm on BBC One - McIntyre hosts a Christmas variety show with festive treats and surprises.
Not Going Out - 9.35pm on BBC One - It's Christmas Eve, and Lee and Lucy face a possible yuletide disaster when they discover the perfect present they have bought for their children has already been gifted to them by their grandparents.
Midnight Mass From Leeds Cathedral - 11.45pm on BBC One - Midnight Mass for Christmas Eve comes live from St Anne's Cathedral in the heart of Leeds.
Christmas Day - Monday, December 25
Top of the Pops - 12.20pm on BBC One - Featuring some of the biggest names in pop music from 2017 including Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Clean Bandit, Rita Ora and The Script.
The Queen's Christmas Broadcast - 3pm on BBC One - The annual festive message from Her Maj.
The Highway Rat - 4.45pm on BBC One - Tearing along the highway, the Highway Rat (David Tennant) searches for sugary treats to steal, until his sweet tooth leads him to a sticky end.
Doctor Who - 5.30pm on BBC One - The magical final chapter of the Twelfth Doctor's journey sees the Time Lord team up with his former self, the first ever Doctor.
Strictly Come Dancing - 6.30pm on BBC One - Strictly veterans Katie Derham, Judy Murray, Kimberley Walsh, Colin Jackson, Robbie Savage and Jeremy Vine return to the dance floor for an all-star special.
Call the Midwife - 7.40pm on BBC One - a large snowfall covers the country, causing major disruption across Poplar, while an unmarried couple living in a caravan prepare for their baby to arrive.
Mrs Brown's Boys - 10pm on BBC One - Agnes has been given a special Christmas tree from Buster Brady to cheer her up - what could possibly go wrong?
300 Years of French and Saunders - 10.35pm on BBC One - Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders are back together for a special 30th anniversary clip show featuring their greatest hits and brand new material.
Upstart Crow - 8.25pm on BBC Two - Will has been rehearsing his latest play ready for it to be performed before Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth (Emma Thompson) as part of her Christmas festivities. But will he make the right impression on the Queen?
Tom Jones and Beverley Knight's Gospel Christmas - 9pm on BBC Two - Sir Tom and Beverley join forces to celebrate Christmas in style as they perform a feast of gospel music.
Boxing Day - Tuesday, December 26
Matthew Bourne's Cinderella - 5.35pm on BBC Two - A celebrated adaptation of the classic ballet.
Snow Bears - 6.30pm on BBC One - The enchanting true-to-life tale of polar bear cubs on the journey of a lifetime to the ice surrounding the North Pole.
Reindeer Family and Me - 8pm on BBC Two - Wildlife cameraman Gordon Buchanan travels deep inside the Arctic Circle, to meet the ancient Sami people and the animals they hold so close: reindeer.
Little Women (1/3) - 8pm on BBC One - Based on Louisa May Alcott's universally beloved novel, this new three-part series is adapted by Call the Midwife creator Heidi Thomas.
The Miniaturist (1/2) - 9pm on BBC One - A stylish adaptation of the runaway hit novel The Miniaturist, starring Romola Garai and Anya Taylor-Joy, is a spooky period thriller.
QI - 10pm on BBC Two - Jason Manford, Romesh Ranganathan, Holly Walsh and Alan Davies join host Sandi Toksvig for this festive edition.
Two Doors Down - 10.30pm on BBC Two - The sitcom, set in the fictional Scottish suburban street of Latimer Cresent, will be giving Christmas its own special dose of neighbourly love.
Wednesday, December 27
Celebrity Mastermind - 7pm on BBC One - More famous faces brave the black chair in their quest to be crowned Celebrity Mastermind.
Little Women (2/3) - 8pm on BBC One - See December 26 listings.
Six Robots and Us - 8pm on BBC Two - A unique experiment exploring what happens when families welcome robots into their lives. Think Channel 4's Humans, but the real deal. A two-parter, it concludes December 28th at 8.30pm.
The Miniaturist (2/2) - 9pm on BBC One - See December 26 listings.
Alan Partridge: Why, When, Where, How and Whom? - 9pm on BBC Two - To celebrate 25 years of Partridge, Steve Coogan, Armando Iannucci and more reveal the origins of one of the most beloved comic creations of the last few decades.
Thursday, December 28
Celebrity Mastermind - 7pm on BBC One - See December 27 listings.
Still Open All Hours - 7.30pm on BBC One - Granville (David Jason) has to use some of his craftiest wiles to persuade everyone not to leave town and leave him behind at Christmas.
Little Women (3/3) - 8.30pm on BBC One - See December 26 listings.
Attenborough and the Empire of the Ants - 9.30pm on BBC Two - David Attenborough is in the Swiss Jura Mountains to discover the secrets of a giant. Beneath his feet lies a vast network of tunnels and chambers, home to a huge empire of ants...
Friday, December 29
Celebrity Mastermind - 7pm on BBC One - See December 27 listings
Tim Vine Travels through Time - 7.30pm on BBC One - Tim journeys back in time to Tudor England in the latest episode of this bonkers sitcom.
Vic and Bob's Big Night Out - 9pm on BBC Two - Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer bring their surreal stage show back for a one-off special.
Eric, Ernie & Me - 9pm on BBC Four - One-off drama celebrating Eddie Braben – the man behind Morecambe and Wise's greatest successes – played by Stephen Tompkinson, with Mark Bonnar as Eric and Neil Maskell as Ernie.
Frankie Boyle's 2017 New World Order - 10pm on BBC Two - Boyle returns to BBC Two this Christmas and with the help of his guests will dissect the bewildering year that has just happened.
Elvis: the Rebirth of the King - 10pm on BBC Four - This film argues that Elvis reached his peak, both as a singer and performer, in the first few years of his oft-maligned Vegas period.
Saturday, December 30
Celebrity Mastermind - 6.30pm on BBC One - See December 27 listings.
A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong - 7.10pm on BBC One - After last year's Peter Pan Goes Wrong, the the Mischief Theatre Company return with their take on Dickens' famous festive fable.
Feud: Bette and Joan - 9pm on BBC Two - The glossy Hollywood biopic continues, with episode 4 following at 9.45pm.
Spiral - 9pm on BBC Four - The acclaimed French crime thriller returns for a sixth series, launching with a double-bill.
New Year's Eve - Sunday, December 31
Top of the Pops - 4.05pm on BBC One - Includes a star-spangled line-up of performances from James Arthur, Craig David ft. Bastille, Paloma Faith, Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa and Rita Ora.
Celebrity Mastermind - 6.30pm on BBC One - See December 27 listings.
Robot Wars - 7pm on BBC Two - The stand-out stars from the last series - Apollo, Sabretooth, Terrorhurtz and Gabriel 2 - take on the very best that Europe has to offer.
The Real Marigold on Tour - 9pm on BBC One - See December 20 listings
The Graham Norton Show - 10.20pm on BBC One - Hugh Jackman and The Greatest Showman co-stars Zac Efron and Zendaya join Graham, alongside Suranne Jones and Gary Oldman, with music from the Leading Ladies.
Nile Rodgers and Chic: Good Times 2017- 11.20pm on BBC One - Get ready to freak out with Chic on NYE.
Jools' Annual Hootenanny - 11.20pm on BBC Two - Jools will be seeing off 2017 and welcoming 2018 in time-honoured style.
New Year's Eve Fireworks 2017 - 11.55pm on BBC One
Monday, January 1
Nile Rodgers and Chic: Good Times 2018 - 12.10am on BBC One
The Archbishop of Canterbury's New Year Message - 12.15pm on BBC One - The annual NY message from His Excellency.
Blue Planet II: Oceans of Wonder - 3.30pm on BBC One -
Grandpa's Great Escape - 6.55pm on BBC One - David Walliams stars alongside Tom Courtenay and Jennifer Saunders in this adaptation of his children's book.
McMafia (1/8) - 9pm on BBC One - This new international thriller charts Alex Godman's (James Norton) journey as he is drawn deeper and deeper into the world of organised crime.
Sue Perkins and the Chimp Sanctuary - 9pm on BBC Two - Sue travels to America to meet a group of newly retired female chimpanzees at Chimp Haven, the US national chimpanzee sanctuary.
Mrs. Brown's Boys - 10pm on BBC One - Father Damien convenes a Neighbourhood Watch patrol to tackle the rising amount of crime in Finglas, but catching criminals isn't necessarily something Agnes and Winnie are cut out to do.
Tuesday, January 2
McMafia (2/8) - 9pm on BBC One - Continuing the action after January 1's pulse-pounding premiere.
The Real T. Rex with Chris Packham - 9pm on BBC Two - Packham embarks on a global journey to discover the astonishing truth behind the T. Rex
Inside No. 9 - 10pm on BBC Two - Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton's darkly comic anthology returns for a fourth series of unsettling tales.
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