BBC One And ITV Have Released Their Christmas TV Schedules

BBC One and ITV have finally released their schedules for Christmas Day.

And by the looks of it, there's a whole lot of fantastic television to look forward to, so you'll have to get it all planned out if you don't want to miss it.

So, what have they got in store for families up and down the country?

Well, on the big day itself, there's a bunch of festive specials lined up on the Beeb, including Not Going Out, Strictly Come Dancing, and classics like Wallace and Gromit: A Close Shave and Two Ronnies Christmas Sketchbook.

The highlight of the day, however, has to be the long-awaited return of Gavin & Stacey, which airs at half eight and should ease you nicely into your evening slump.

If they don't tickle your fancy, though, you can also tune into the Queen's Speech, Moana or the Top of the Pops special.

And, if you really have to, there's also the Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas Special at half 10.

But you don't have to stick with the BBC - the folks over at ITV also have a stellar line-up this year to keep us all entertained.

ITV

You can kick the big day off with Disney's take on A Christmas Carol, an animated version of the classic tale, with Jim Carrey brilliantly playing Scrooge.

Then, while the turkey cooks in the oven, you can while away the time between drinks with a bit of Midsummer Murders, Shrek The Halls and The Chase: Bloopers 2019.

As the evening draws in and you move from the dining table to the sofa, you can then lie back and enjoy this year's Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Christmas Special, followed by Gordon, Gino And Fred Christmas Road Trip 3: Unwise Men.

A solid day of telly, I think you'll agree.

BBC

But it doesn't stop there. While ITV is yet to release its schedule beyond 25 December, the BBC has shared theirs all the way into the new year, and there's plenty more to look forward to.

As you make your way through the leftovers on Boxing Day, you can watch Wreck-it-Ralph, The Jungle Book, Wallace and Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death and Paddington 2.

Football fans will also be able to get their fix, with Match of the Day at 10.20pm.

So what about New Year? Well, on 31 December the Beeb will be airing Chicken Run, Shrek The Third and Celebrity Mastermind.

As midnight approaches, you will also be able to catch some of the usual suspects, including Graham Norton's New Year's Eve Show, New Year's Eve Fireworks and Craig David Rocks Big Ben Live.

Then, once you've shaken off the night before, the first day of the new year will bring some soothing television to help you through the day, such as Shaun the Sheep Movie, Pete's Dragon, Best of Seven World's, One Planet and Doctor Who.

So, you've been warned. Get planning.

Topics: UK News, TV and Film, BBC, Interesting, UK Entertainment, ITV, Christmas day

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

@SmithersDom