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Christmas Day TV guide: From Gavin and Stacey to the Queen’s speech – the shows worth tuning in for

They're back: Smithy, Stacey, Gavin and Nessa will be on our screens for Christmas: BBC/GS TV Productions Ltd/Tom Jackson
They're back: Smithy, Stacey, Gavin and Nessa will be on our screens for Christmas: BBC/GS TV Productions Ltd/Tom Jackson

Christmas Day is brilliant for numerous reasons - good cheer, family time, fantastic food... and even better television.

A film or special sitcom episode (hello Gavin and Stacey) on December 25 is as important as pulling crackers and eating turkey (or vegan alternatives, obviously).

Would it really be the festive season without EastEnders, the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special or a good-old watch of the Scrooge while dinner is being cooked?

There is a lot to watch this year, so we have done the hard work for you. Here are all the shows and films to tune in to...

A Christmas Carol – 9.25am, ITV

A Christmas Carol was released in 2009 (Disney )
A Christmas Carol was released in 2009 (Disney )

Best for: Trying to settle little ones after excitement over their presents

The animated fantasy (2009) starring Jim Carrey should do the trick and teachers the iconic story of Scrooge learning all about the real meaning of Christmas.

Top Of The Pops Christmas - 11.35am, BBC One

(BBC)
(BBC)

Best for: A good culture catch-up

If you feel like you've not paid attention to chart hits over the past 12 months, then this is your chance to catch up.

Hosted by Clara Amfo and Fearne Cotton, the festive edition of the classic show will feature performances from a series of 2019's biggest artists.

Ice Age - 10.40am, Channel 4

Best for: Kids and tired adults alike

The 2002 film has rightly become a classic and is a fitting choice for the biggest day of the holidays.

Sit back and enjoy the first instalment of the Disney franchise about Sid, a talkative sloth, who is left behind by his family and the herds of mammals journeying to the south. He meets Manny, a mammoth who travels to the north, and decides to follow him.... but you probably know this from seeing it before, right?

The Queen - 3pm, BBC One

The Queen delivered her 2018 Christmas Speech to millions of people (Getty)
The Queen delivered her 2018 Christmas Speech to millions of people (Getty)

First started by her grandfather King George V in 1932, Her Majesty’s Christmas message is one of the most consistent Christmas Day TV listings, as she delivers it at exactly the same time every year.

Her speech is broadcast to all Commonwealth countries and typically includes a short recap of events from the last 12 months - squeezed into just 10 minutes and topped off with some festive cheer.

The 2019 speech attracted more than 6.4 million viewers across four channels.

Finding Dory - 3:10pm, BBC One

(Ellen/Disney/Pixar)
(Ellen/Disney/Pixar)

Best for: Millennials reminiscing about their childhood…

The sequel to Finding Nemo (2003) was released in 2016 and sees Ellen DeGeneres return as Dory, on the hunt to find her parents in the big bad ocean.

The only problem is that Dory has a god-awful memory, which obviously gets in the way of her journey home.

Strictly Come Dancing - 4:40pm, BBC One

(BBC/Guy Levy)
(BBC/Guy Levy)

Best for: Fans already mourning the end of the most recent series

Former contestants Debbie McGee, Chizzy Akudolu, Gemma Atkinson, Joe Sugg, Mark Wright and Richard Arnold return to fight for the Strictly Christmas title.

The Chase Celebrity Special - 6pm, ITV

(ITV)
(ITV)

Best for: The competitive cousins

Lucy Porter, James “Arg” Argent, Kate Thornton and life coach Nik Speakman will be attempting to outwit the Chaser.

Call The Midwife - 7pm BBC One

(BBC)
(BBC)

Best for: The traditionalists

Call The Midwife has been a Christmas Day staple since 2013 and is frequently the most watched TV show of the day - and with good reason too.

In this year’s special festive special, Mother Mildred declares that God has called upon the nuns and nurses of Nonnatus House to set up a branch house in Outer Hebrides. The team that travel soon have a battle on their hands – not just with the weather and bleak terrain, but also against suspicious islanders.

The Great Christmas Bake Off - 7.10pm, Channel 4

A showstopper from this week's opening episode for the 10th year of GBBO (Channel 4)
A showstopper from this week's opening episode for the 10th year of GBBO (Channel 4)

Best for: Anyone who needs inspiration for their mid-evening snack

Just like the main show, the Bake Off's festive specials is hosted by Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig.

Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith will also be back in the tent to set the challenges and determine who wins and previous contestants will also be back as four past contestants go head to head in a rematch.

Gavin and Stacey - 8.30pm, BBC One

Best for: TV fans looking for a blast from the past

The writers of the hit sitcom, which first aired on the BBC between 2008 and 2010, had previously maintained that they’d never revisit their iconic characters for extra episodes. But - luckily for us - they have changed their minds.

James Corden has teased the special as a “nostalgic joy bomb” - in other words, just what we need right now - and the cast have also spilled the beans on how they managed to keep the plans under wraps.

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Celebrity Special - 9pm, ITV

Awed: Clarkson was impressed when one player reached the £1 million question (ITV / Stellify Media)
Awed: Clarkson was impressed when one player reached the £1 million question (ITV / Stellify Media)

Best for: Challenging the relatives who always think they're right…

Jeremy Clarkson hosts a very special Christmas edition of the world’s biggest quiz.

Clare Balding, Stephen Mangan and Catherine Tyldesley sit in the hot seat to try and win £1 million for their chosen charities, with four lifelines to help them along the way.

EastEnders - 9.30pm, BBC One

Phil Mitchell (BBC/Nicky Johnston)
Phil Mitchell (BBC/Nicky Johnston)

Best for: Some post-dinner drama

Even if you don't regularly tune in to the hit soap, there's every chance you still watch the iconic festive episodes.

This year's Christmas special will centre around Sharon and Phil Mitchell, after the latter takes revenge after discovering Sharon and Keanu’s secret.

First Dates at Christmas - 9.30pm, Channel 4

(Dave King / Channel 4)
(Dave King / Channel 4)

Best for: A break from cheesy romantic films, when what you really want is to watch another

Eight singletons head to the restaurant in the hope of finding a side order of love with their Christmas meal.

Among them is social media influencer Kieran, 25, who has never been in love. Is student nurse Abi, 23, set to change things?

Gordon, Gino and Fred: Christmas Road Trip: 3 Unwise Men - 10.20pm, ITV

Best for: Food and giggles with a dose of travel inspiration

TV chefs Gordon Ramsay, Gino D’Campo and Fred Sirieix are in the desert, searching for the spirit of the festive season in Morocco, with a land of snakes, saffron… and camels.

To finish their Christmas break they will come together to cook themselves a Christmas feast like no other - inspired by their travels, the people and the experiences they have had.

Mrs Brown’s Boys, 10.30pm, BBC1

Mammy: Mrs Brown is opening up her home for the New Year (BBC Studios/Alan Peebles)
Mammy: Mrs Brown is opening up her home for the New Year (BBC Studios/Alan Peebles)

Best for: Anybody that loves Mrs Brown and her boys. Haters steer clear

A TV fan favourite – and also an acquired taste – Brendan O’Carroll returns as Mrs Brown as Mammy meets an “angel” who grants her wish to see what life would be like has she never been born.

Kylie’s Secret Night, 10.30pm Channel 4

(PA)
(PA)

Best for: The mega fans

The 90-minute programme, filmed in front of an audience of passionate – and unsuspecting – fans will see a specially invited audience arrive for what they believe is a Kylie themed fan extravaganza hosted by Alan Carr.

Little do they know they’re going to be spending a secret evening with the lady herself.

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