AFTER all the present swapping and visits to family, there’ll come a point on Christmas Day where you’ll just want to put your feet up in front of the TV and relax.
Thankfully, the terrestrial channels have got some tasty treats on offer this year if you’re not too stuffed! Here are some of the highlights.
Zog and the Flying Doctors
Channel: BBC One
Time: 2.35pm
If you’re fans of The Gruffalo and its animation style, you’ll love Zog and the Flying Doctors.
Another creation from author Julia Donaldson, this charming programme follows flying doctor trio Zog, Pearl and Gadabout.
However, Zog and Gadabout are tasked with rescuing Pearl after a forced landing at a palace sees her locked up by her uncle.
The voice cast includes Lenny Henry, Rob Brydon, Mark Bonnar and Alexandra Roach.
Strictly: The Christmas Countdown
Channel: BBC One
Time: 4.45pm
Pretty much everything has had to adapt to the coronavirus pandemic this year, and the Strictly Christmas Special is no exception.
The BBC dance show has had to forgo its usual Christmas competition and instead, will reveal the 25 most memorable dances of all time, as voted for by the viewers.
This includes the trophy-winning routines, dances that got a perfect score or made us howl with laughter, plus ones that are infamous for possibly all the wrong reasons.
Blankety Blank
Channel: BBC One
Time: 7pm
The classic game show is back, this time with Bradley Walsh at the helm.
He will be joined by six celebrities who will compete to fill in the blanks and help the contestants win prizes.
Rest assured, the BBC has confirmed the Blankety Blank cheque book and pen will still feature as is tradition.
Call The Midwife Christmas Special
Channel: BBC One
Time: 7.40pm
This year’s Call The Midwife Christmas Special is set in December 1965.
Everyone at Nonnatus House is looking forward to traditional celebrations with all the trimmings, but nothing goes quite to plan.
Sister Monica Joan is rushed to hospital, and Trixie is incensed to receive a subscription to a Marriage Bureau as a Christmas gift.
Meanwhile, a surprise reunion for Shelagh involves her in a deeply moving birth, and the Circus arrives in Poplar, bringing new friendships, new experiences, and an exciting adventure for Nurse Crane.
Quentin Blake’s Clown
Channel: Channel 4
Time: 7.45pm
Inspired by a book of the same name (and one of Sir Quentin’s favourites amongst his titles), Quentin Blake’s Clown is a half hour animation bringing to life the adventures of a little toy clown, thrown away with a load of old discarded toys, as he goes on a journey to find a new loving home for himself and his friends.
Created with traditional hand drawn animation techniques to capture the unique style of Quentin Blake’s artwork, the programme will be narrated by Hollywood star and Bafta-winning actress Helena Bonham Carter.
It is part of a long and established tradition of Channel 4’s animated Christmas specials such as The Snowman, The Tiger who Came to Tea, and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.
Britain’s Got Talent Christmas Spectacular
Channel: ITV
Time: 8pm
Previous winners are being brought back for the Britain’s Got Talent Christmas special – and will be performing alongside the judges.
As The Celeb Report previously revealed, Amanda Holden, David Walliams, Alesha Dixon and Simon Cowell’s stand-in Ashley Banjo will get up on stage as part of the festive ITV special.
Amanda will be singing with 2014 musical theatre champs Collabro, and Alesha will perform Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas with pianist and 2017 winner Tokio Myers.
David will perform a comedy routine with six of the series’ best funnymen and women, including 2018’s Lost Voice Guy.
And finally, Ashley will join up with his Diversity dance troupe, who were one of the most popular winners when they took the crown in 2009, and 2008 street dancing champ George Sampson.
Mrs. Brown’s Boys Christmas Special
Channel: BBC One
Time: 10pm
Mrs Brown’s Boys has become a staple of the Christmas scheduling in recent years and despite some cast members leaving and the challenges brought on by Covid-19, it’s back again this year.
Mammy Of The People sees the Brown family try and adjust to the new normal, while Agnes and Winnie are desperate to know if they have won a competition to perform an alternative Queen’s speech.
Another episode will air on New Year’s Day.
